After its debut in August last year, the highly anticipated Nissan Z is finally here, and it thankfully lives up to all the hype. The prices and trims of the 2023 Z were recently announced and it is every bit the sports car that Nissan promised us, with the base model starting just under $40,000. Also, the production-spec model stays true to the stunning Z-Proto or 400Z concept that we first saw in 2020. Here's everything you need to know about the Nissan Z.

2023 Nissan Z Performance and Capability

You can choose from three trim levels on the Nissan Z:

Here's what the feature set looks like for each trim. The Proto Spec is a limited-edition trim, with only 240 units bound for the United States. It will feature some extra equipment that sets it apart from other Z’s.

Next up, let's talk engine. Traditionally, Nissan Z car's have derived their name from their engine displacement. For example, the outgoing model had a 3.7-liter naturally aspirated V-6 engine, hence 370Z. Now since the latest Z car, doesn't have a 4.0-liter mill, Nissan chose to just call it the Z.

The 2023 Nissan Z features the VR30DDTT 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine, borrowed from the INFINITI Q60 RedSport 400. and it produces 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, which is 68 horsepower and 80 pound-feet more than what you got with the old 370Z.

The new engine also has a lot of low-end grunt courtesy of those two turbos. Here's what the new Z sounds like. 0-60 mph takes around 3.5 seconds and the new Z has an estimated top speed of 155 mph.

Nissan has stayed true to its roots and as promised, have thrown in a six-speed stick shifter with rev-matching and it sends power to the rear wheels. A nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is available as an option. The use of aluminum on the hood, doors, and hatch results in a lighter body and should contribute to faster acceleration and even better standing quarter-mile times than its predecessor.

Another weight-saver is the carbon-fiber driveshaft that comes as standard on every Z. Expect to find better driving dynamics thanks to the new Z's rear limited-slip differential (not available on base trim). It is a welcome addition and will make driving in a variety of situations extremely easy.

Get behind the wheel of the New 2023 Z and you can play with several driving modes. The Standard mode should make regular driving effortless with manageable power, and improved traction. Activating Sport mode, the Z will give you maximum engine power and immediate throttle response, along with a sharper brake feel.

Exterior Design

The influence of previous Z models is obvious in the way that the latest Z car looks which now carries a retro-modern design. Throughout the car, you'll find some great design details that will remind you of old Z's. The headlight design for instance draws inspiration from the late 1970s 240Z. It includes a sharper snout than previous models, as well as a newly styled intake grille and half-circle LED headlights.

Because this is a slippery two-door coupe, the roofline slopes from the A-pillar to the rear spoiler. The contrasting silver trim above the window line is reminiscent of the Japanese Katana sword. At the rear, the LED tail lights have an arrangement that mimics the ones from the old Z32 300 ZX. The form now looks sharp, with slim dual horizontal bulbs on either side. The dual exhaust cutouts add a dynamic flair to the tail end.

Overall, Nissan got the styling of the new Z just right. Nissan sure did get the proportions of a front-engined rear-drive coupe, spot on. With its modern and contemporary lines, the new Z looks futuristic, but also pays homage to its rich heritage and legacy that started with the original Fairlady.

Nissan has also worked very hard to make the new Z as aerodynamic as possible, with body cuts and vents to generate more downforce. The stock 18-inch alloy wheels can be readily upgraded to 19-inch wheels for improved track performance.

As for colors, Nissan offers three monotone colors. You can also get the Z with a contrasting black roof in a range of shades:

Interior Quality and Technology

One area where the old 370Z was lagging behind the competition was with its aging interior. It was a little too long in the tooth both in terms of its design and onboard tech. But thankfully, those days are long gone, and the new Z features an overhauled cabin. The tight cockpit is now bang up to date and sees a big jump in the design, the quality of materials used, and technology.

The redesigned leather-wrapped steering is feature-packed and comes with buttons for launch control, cruise control, as well as other multimedia controls. Behind it sits a slick 12.3-inch driver instrument cluster with three display patterns.

While the dashboard on the Z is all-new, there are still some bits from the previous model. This was obviously done in order to keep development costs in check. The interior is available in three colors - Black, Red, and Blue. The Proto Spec comes with yellow highlights throughout the cabin.

Unlike the higher trims, that come with faux-suede on the dashboard, door cards, and leather-covered seats, the GT-R-inspired seats are cloth-covered. The sports seats aren’t ideal for extended highway stints because they are slightly firmer.

The three analog gauges that sit atop the dash are a nod to old Z's as well. Having said that, the cabin is roomy enough for two people but the cargo area is still tight at just 6.3 cubic feet.

The 8.0-inch infotainment system, on the base trim, comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 6-speaker stereo system, SiriusXM, and a very intuitive user interface. The Performance trim receives new features like a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen display, an integrated navigation system, an 8-speaker Bose premium audio unit, a WiFi hotspot, and automatic dual-zone climate control.

2023 Nissan Z Price and Availability

The 2023 Nissan Z car starts from $39,990. The above prices exclude the $1,025 destination charge. With the level of equipment available, the base Sport offers tremendous value. But if you want more, you can step it up to the Performance model which as the name suggest brings some high-performance upgrades with even more kit. However, it does carry a $10,000 price premium over the base model.

It would be nice if Nissan will allow you to cherry-pick the stuff you really want to add to your Z. For now, you can't choose much outside of the exterior color. But Nissan will offer accessories and the after-market will be ready to serve Z owners. As for the top-of-the-line Proto Spec model, the upgrades are purely cosmetic. As for availability, the production of the new 2023 Z is well underway and was scheduled to reach showrooms by summer 2022.

Safety

The new Z may be late to the party but it packs a host of advanced safety and driver assistance features from the get-go. In addition to ABS, traction control, stability control, and tire pressure monitoring, you also get

- Automatic emergency braking

- Pedestrian detection

- Lane-departure warning

- Forward collision warning

- Blindspot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert

- Adaptive cruise control

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) haven't rated the new Nissan Z yet, but you can expect it to perform better compared to the old 370Z.

Main Competition

The Nissan Z doesn't really have much in the way of direct rivals, and the main one that obviously comes to mind is the Toyota Supra. While Toyota didn't offer a manual transmission, they were quick to fix that and the latest Supra will come with a manual gearbox.

The BMW 2 Series and the Audi TT Coupe are genuine European sports car alternatives while if you're cross-shopping for something American, you have some muscle car options in the form of the Ford Mustang, theChevrolet Camaro, and the Dodge Challenger. Here's how the competition stacks up in terms of performance numbers against the base Nissan Z.

So what's next in the Nissan Z story, perhaps a Roadster? Let's hope so. But for now, the New Z on paper is a far cry from the outgoing 370z and is a cracking sports car that is exceptional value for money.