Cars

2025 Nissan Z Review: Performance, Price, and Test Drive

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

2025 Nissan Z Review: Performance, Price, and Test Drive

The 2025 Nissan Z continues the brand’s legacy of delivering high-performance sports cars with an accessible price point. As the latest evolution in Nissan’s iconic Z-car lineage, the 2025 model builds upon the foundation laid by its 2023 debut, refining its performance, design, and driving experience for a new generation of enthusiasts. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Z series or a newcomer to the sports car scene, this comprehensive review covers everything you need to know about the 2025 Nissan Z—from its exhilarating performance and aggressive styling to its competitive pricing and real-world test drive insights.

Design and Exterior Styling

The 2025 Nissan Z retains the bold and retro-inspired design language introduced in the previous generation but with subtle refinements that sharpen its presence on the road. Drawing cues from the legendary 240Z and 300ZX, the car features a long hood, short deck proportions, and a sweeping roofline that evokes nostalgia while maintaining a modern aesthetic.

At the front, the 2025 Z sports a wider grille, flanked by sleek LED headlights and aggressive air intakes designed to improve cooling and aerodynamics. The signature double-bubble roof returns, enhancing headroom and adding a touch of performance flair. Around the sides, pronounced fender flares house large 19-inch alloy wheels, emphasizing the car’s wide track and rear-wheel-drive stance.

The rear features a prominent ducktail spoiler, a full-width LED light bar, and dual exhaust tips integrated into the diffuser-style rear bumper. These elements not only boost visual appeal but also improve downforce and airflow. The overall design strikes a perfect balance between homage and innovation, making the 2025 Nissan Z instantly recognizable as both a classic and a modern sports car.

2025 Nissan Z performance and design on open road

Interior and Comfort

Step inside the 2025 Nissan Z, and you’ll find a driver-focused cabin that blends performance-oriented ergonomics with modern comfort. The interior design prioritizes functionality without sacrificing style, featuring high-quality materials, supportive sport seats, and intuitive controls placed within easy reach.

The cockpit is centered around a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which offers customizable displays including a large tachometer—essential for an enthusiast driver. A central 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it’s not the largest or most advanced in its class. Still, the interface is responsive, and physical climate controls provide tactile feedback that’s appreciated during spirited driving.

Available on higher trims, the 2025 Nissan Z offers premium features such as a Bose premium audio system, heated seats, and leather upholstery. While the cabin isn’t as spacious as a grand tourer, two average-sized adults can comfortably fit, and the rear seats—though best suited for small children or extra storage—add versatility rare in sports cars.

One notable enhancement for 2025 is improved sound insulation, reducing road and engine noise at highway speeds. This makes the Z more suitable for daily driving and longer journeys, addressing a common critique of earlier models.

Performance and Engine Specifications

At the heart of the 2025 Nissan Z lies a proven and potent powertrain: the VR30DDTT 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. This engine, borrowed from the Nissan Infiniti Q50 Red Sport and shared with the Nissan GT-R in tuned form, produces 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque in the Z. This output allows the car to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds with the optional 9-speed automatic transmission, making it one of the quickest in its class.

The twin-turbo setup delivers strong mid-range punch and linear power delivery, eliminating the lag often associated with turbocharged engines. The exhaust note has been tuned for a deep, aggressive growl, especially with the available sport exhaust option, enhancing the driving experience.

Engine power is sent to the rear wheels through either a 6-speed manual transmission or the 9-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The manual is a highlight for purists, offering precise throws and a satisfying clutch feel. The automatic, meanwhile, excels in both performance and efficiency, with lightning-fast shifts and adaptive logic that learns your driving style.

Both transmissions are paired with a limited-slip differential, ensuring optimal traction during cornering and rapid acceleration. The 2025 Z also features launch control—standard on automatic models and available on manual variants—allowing drivers to achieve consistent, quick starts.

Driving Dynamics and Handling

The 2025 Nissan Z shines brightest behind the wheel. Its 53/47 front-to-rear weight distribution, rigid body structure, and finely tuned suspension system deliver balanced, engaging handling dynamics. The car is equipped with Bilstein shocks, a front strut tower brace, and large stabilizer bars to reduce body roll and improve turn-in response.

Steering is direct and communicative, providing excellent feedback through the thick-rimmed steering wheel. The electric power steering system has been carefully calibrated to offer the right blend of assist and feel, making the Z responsive in tight corners yet manageable in urban environments.

Braking performance is equally impressive. Standard Brembo® brakes with four-piston front calipers deliver strong stopping power and excellent fade resistance, even during repeated hard braking on a track. The tires—245/40R19 Michelin Pilot Super Sport on higher trims—offer superb grip and predictable handling limits.

On winding roads, the 2025 Nissan Z inspires confidence. The chassis remains composed through quick transitions, and the suspension soaks up bumps without sacrificing responsiveness. While not quite as track-focused as the Toyota GR Supra, the Z offers a more balanced blend of daily drivability and performance, appealing to drivers who want fun on both the commute and the canyon roads.

For 2025, Nissan has introduced revised suspension tuning and optional adaptive dampers on higher trims, allowing drivers to switch between Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes. These modes adjust throttle response, transmission shift points, steering weight, and suspension firmness, tailoring the experience to different conditions.

Technology and Safety Features

The 2025 Nissan Z incorporates a suite of modern technology and safety features, bringing it in line with current expectations for performance vehicles. While it doesn’t offer the full gamut of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) found in luxury cars, it includes key safety technologies such as:

The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a welcome upgrade over the wired-only setup in earlier models. The system also integrates navigation, satellite radio, and voice recognition.

A Bose premium audio system with 9 speakers is optional and delivers rich, dynamic sound perfect for long drives. A rearview camera with dynamic guidelines is standard, and while there’s no surround-view camera system, the Z’s compact size and good visibility make parking manageable.

One area where the Z lags behind some rivals is in active safety. It lacks features like lane-keeping assist and driver attention monitoring, which are becoming increasingly common even in sports cars. However, Nissan’s focus remains on driver engagement rather than automation, which many purists will appreciate.

Fuel Efficiency and Real-World Economy

The 2025 Nissan Z achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with the manual transmission, and 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with the automatic. While these numbers aren’t class-leading, they are respectable for a 400-horsepower sports car.

In real-world driving, expect around 22-24 mpg on mixed routes if driven moderately. Aggressive driving, especially on backroads or track days, will reduce efficiency significantly. The car has a 16.1-gallon fuel tank, giving it a range of approximately 400 miles on a full tank under ideal conditions.

Nissan recommends premium unleaded fuel (91 octane or higher) to maintain optimal performance and prevent engine knock. While the Z can run on regular fuel, power output is slightly reduced, and long-term use may affect engine longevity. For the best driving experience, stick with premium fuel.

Trim Levels and Pricing for 2025

The 2025 Nissan Z is available in three trim levels: Sport, Performance, and Proto Spec. Each offers a distinct balance of features, performance upgrades, and price.

1. Sport Trim – Starting at $41,035

The base Sport trim provides an excellent entry point into the Z lineup. Standard features include:

This trim is ideal for drivers who want the core Z experience without extras. It’s lightweight and focused, offering a pure sports car feel.

2. Performance Trim – Starting at $49,995

The Performance trim adds significant upgrades for drivers seeking enhanced dynamics and comfort. Key additions include:

This is the sweet spot for many buyers, offering a substantial boost in performance and safety without stepping into the higher price bracket.

3. Proto Spec Trim – Starting at $54,995

Named after the prototype design phase of the Z, the Proto Spec trim is the most premium and exclusive version. It features unique styling cues and luxury additions such as:

The Proto Spec is aimed at enthusiasts who want both performance and premium touches. It’s limited in production, adding collectible appeal.

2025 Nissan Z Test Drive Experience

To truly appreciate the 2025 Nissan Z, we took it for an extensive test drive on a mix of city streets, highways, and twisty country roads. Our test vehicle was a Proto Spec model with the 9-speed automatic transmission, allowing us to fully experience the car’s capabilities.

From the moment you fire up the engine, the Z feels special. The turbocharged V6 rumbles to life with a throaty note, and the digital gauge cluster animates with a dynamic startup sequence. The driving position is excellent—low and centered, with good visibility over the long hood.

In the city, the Z is surprisingly livable. The suspension absorbs bumps reasonably well, and the electric power steering makes low-speed maneuvering easy. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly in Normal mode, though it can hesitate slightly when asked for quick acceleration from a stop.

On the highway, wind noise is minimal, and the cabin stays quiet enough for conversation. The 12.3-inch digital cluster is easy to read, and cruise control (adaptive on automatic models) is a welcome relief on long trips. Fuel economy hovered around 25 mpg during our highway testing, close to the EPA estimate.

The real magic happens on winding roads. Switching to Sport mode sharpens throttle response, firms up the suspension, and keeps the transmission in lower gears. The Z attacks corners with precision, and the rear tires maintain grip even under aggressive throttle application. The limited-slip differential helps put power down efficiently, reducing wheelspin during exits.

We particularly appreciated the manual transmission option during our back-to-back drive. The 6-speed gearbox is a joy to use, with short throws and a mechanical feel that connects the driver to the car. The SynchroRev Match® system on the Performance and Proto Spec trims makes heel-and-toe downshifting effortless, though purists may prefer to do it manually.