The new 2023 Nissan Z has been a long time coming, and while the recently announced production delay is frustrating, we're finally on the home stretch. First drives of the new sports car are finally out—including ours, read it here!—and pricing has been announced, with the Z starting at just over $40,000 once it hits dealer lots later this summer. Forty-ish grand? That price severely undercuts the new Toyota Supra, the Nissan's primary competitor.
The 2023 Nissan Z Coupe Sport, the base model, will start at $41,015 after factoring in destination and handling fees, while the Z Coupe Performance model will start at $51,015 and the limited run of Z Proto Spec models will start at $54,015. Those asks represent quite the price bumps over the outgoing 370Z, which started at $30,985 including destination for the 2020 model year.
However, the new car produces 68 more horsepower and 30 percent more torque from its far newer, twin-turbo V-6 engie, so at least there's more bang for more buck. To further make its case, the new Z increases maximum cornering G by 13 percent, features new dampers with a 20 percent reduction in impact force over bumps, and now has a quicker 0 to 60 mph time of approximately 4.0 seconds. The Nissan Z may not be as "attainable" as the Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 sports cars, but it's still priced to be the more affordable performance model in the Nissan lineup, especially compared to the six-figure prices the GT-R asks for. It also starts a couple grand cheaper than the 2023 Toyota Supra, which is priced at $44,315—and that's for a lowly four-cylinder model. The six-cylinder, more equivalent Supra 3.0 starts over $56,000.
All 2023 Z models will get a 3.0-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine rated at 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque powering the rear wheels. Manual models feature a carbon-fiber composite drive shaft and rev-matching tech, and all Z cars now come with launch control. Automatic-equipped Z cars now get the same paddle shifter handles as found in the GT-R. On all three available Z trims, the good news is the 9-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions are priced the same, which should help move more stick-shift units. Need we remind everyone that the Supra only recently gained the option for a six-speed manual?
The Z Proto Spec trim is limited to just 240 total units for the U.S. market, available with either transmission. The Z Proto adds to the Performance trim, with yellow brake calipers, bronze 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, leather seats with yellow accents, yellow stitching throughout the cabin, and a unique shifter on manual models.
Customers can opt for three monotone exterior paint jobs, including Black Diamond, Gun, and Rosewood metallic colors, or go for a two-tone look with the choice of six colors including silver, grey, Seiran Blue, Ikazuchi Yellow, Passion Red, or Everest White, combined with a black roof treatment. Red, black, or blue interior accent treatments are available. Infotainment is managed by an 8-inch dashboard touchscreen on the Sport and a 9-incher on the Performance, and the driver gets a 12.3-inch display in front of the wheel on all models, which includes a boost gauge, g-meter, and redline at 12 'o-clock position.
The base Sport model comes with dark-painted 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on Yokohama Sport high performance tires. The car also comes with auto temperature control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, one Type-A and one Type-C USB port, front and rear parking sensors, push button start, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Z also gets emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert.
The Z Performance trim upgrades to 19-inch super-lightweight forged alloy wheels mounted with Bridgestone Potenza high-performance tires, a rear spoiler, upgraded larger disc brakes, onboard navigation, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, heated side mirrors, a dual exhaust system, a mechanical limited-slip differential, and inside, the trim adds aluminum pedals and heated and powered front seats. Despite earlier delays, the car is still on track to launch in the U.S. this summer.
The Nissan Z will be priced from $73,700 plus on-road costs when it launches mid-year – more than $20,000 dearer than the 370Z, but you're getting more tech and power for your money.
- 2023 Nissan Z pricing and specifications
- First new Z car since 2009, in showrooms mid-2022
- 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with manual or auto gearbox
- Limited-run Proto Spec offered at launch
- Priced from $73,300 before on-road costs, between $20,310 and $22,810 more than 370Z
UPDATE, 31 May 2022: All Australian production slots for the 2023 Nissan Z Proto Spec special edition have sold out, Nissan Australia has confirmed. Our original story continues unchanged below.
11 May 2022: The hotly-anticipated 2023 Nissan Z – the first new Z car in Australia in 13 years – will be up to $22,810 more expensive than the 370Z it replaces, once it arrives in local showrooms mid-2022.
Simply badged 'Nissan Z', the new Nissan sports car will launch with the choice of a full-time standard variant, and a limited-run Proto Spec edition – the former priced from $73,300 plus on-road costs, with a manual or automatic transmission at the same cost.
That makes the new Nissan Z between $20,310 and $22,810 more expensive than the 370Z it replaces – priced from $50,490 plus on-roads with a manual, or $52,990 with an auto – and pushes it over the current cut-off for Luxury Car Tax ($69,152).
It's dearer than the 370Z's highest-ever price of $72,500 for an automatic model in 2013 – but it's still $14,000 cheaper than the base variant of the Z's closest rival, the auto-only (for now) Toyota GR Supra.
The limited-edition Proto Spec – expected to be limited to a few hundred vehicles – will be priced from $80,700 plus on-road costs, making it the most expensive Z sold this century (though not of all time).
While the price rises are significant, buyers of the new Nissan Z get a lot more for their money – including 13 years' worth of technological advances, a suite of active safety technology, a new body, new interior, and a new-for-Nissan turbo engine.
Powering all 2023 Zs is a 3.0-litre 'VR30DDTT' twin-turbocharged V6 borrowed from Nissan's Infiniti Q50 and Q60 Red Sport luxury cars, developing 298kW and 475Nm – up 53kW/112Nm over the 370Z's 3.7-litre naturally-aspirated 'VQ37' V6.
Drive is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission with electronic rev matching, or a nine-speed automatic – thought to be a Mercedes-Benz design built by Nissan supplier Jatco under licence – with aluminium paddle shifters.
No 0-100km/h time is claimed, however estimates given in the US suggest a time of around 4.5 seconds.
Performance features standard in Australia include 19-inch alloy wheels (with 255/40 front and 275/35 tyres), a mechanical limited-slip rear differential, and likely the US market's upgraded 356mm front and 351mm rear brake discs.
Manual models score a "high-performance" clutch from Japan's Exedy, and a carbon-fibre composite driveshaft, while automatic Zs feature launch control, and Standard and Sport modes.
While the new Nissan Z is billed as "all new", it's a reskin of the previous 370Z – itself derived from the now-20-year-old 350Z – with the same 2550mm wheelbase, though the new car's retro styling is brand new.
Standard features in Australia's single 'Z Coupe' specification include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, LED headlights, eight-speaker Bose sound system, leather-accented heated front seats, and active engine sound piped through the speakers.
Australian models feature a 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – missing out on the larger 9.0-inch display available in the US, which adds in-built satellite navigation.
Available in "limited numbers" at launch will be the Proto Spec special edition – which draws inspiration from the Z Proto concept that previewed the production Z – priced from $80,700 plus on-road costs "until sold out".
It adds a bronze finish for the 19-inch wheels, yellow brake calipers, a black interior with yellow accents and stitching, and only one exterior colour combination, combining an Ikazuchi Yellow lower body with a Super Black roof.
For a full list of all standard features confirmed thus far, scroll to the list at the bottom of this story.
The 2023 Nissan Z is due to arrive in Australian showrooms in mid-2022.
Nissan Australia would not confirm how many cars will be included in the initial Nissan Z allocation, however dealers have told Drive the first batch has sold out – and Drive understands approximately 3000 people have registered interest online, with about 1200 placing down deposits.
The brand says it has taken "several hundred reservations" for the Proto Spec edition, though it's unclear how many examples will be made available for Australian buyers.
Approximately 70 per cent of the initial orders taken have been for the six-speed manual, Nissan Australia has indicated, though this is expected to flip in favour of the automatic across the life of the car.
2023 Nissan Z Australian pricing
- Nissan Z Coupe – $73,300 (up $20,310 to $22,810 over 370Z)
- Nissan Z Proto Spec – $80,700
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs. Manual and automatic gearboxes included for same price.
Above: The standard US-market Nissan Z (non-Proto Spec).
2023 Nissan Z Coupe standard features:
- 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic
- Mechanical limited-slip differential
- Electronic rev matching (manual only, activated with 'S-Mode' button)
- Launch control (automatic only)
- Standard and Sport modes (auto only)
- LED headlights and tail-lights
- 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and reversing camera
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Leather-accented upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Eight-speaker Bose sound system
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Active Sound Enhancement
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane departure warning
- Front and rear parking sensors
2023 Nissan Z Proto Spec adds (over Z Coupe):
- 19-inch forged alloy wheels in bronze
- Yellow brake calipers
- Black interior with yellow accents and stitching
- Ikazuchi Yellow and Super Black exterior combination (the only choice)
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
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