2024 NISSAN NISSAN Z | JN1BZ4AH5RM361436

Body Styles

The Nissan Z (RZ34) is offered exclusively as a two-door fastback coupé, continuing the lineage of traditional Z cars with a sleek, rear-wheel-drive sports car silhouette. Its long hood, sharply raked windshield, and compact cabin give it a classic GT profile inspired by the original 240Z, while integrating modern proportions and aggressive detailing.

Unlike some competitors that offer convertible or targa variants, Nissan has focused the new Z purely on the coupé configuration, emphasizing structural rigidity, balanced weight distribution, and a driver-centric experience. The design retains a hatchback-style rear with a liftgate, providing access to a modest but usable cargo area — suitable for weekend travel or track gear.

As of now, no roadster or shooting brake variant has been announced or planned by Nissan. This singular focus allows the Z to remain true to its purist sports car roots, aimed at delivering sharp handling, responsive steering, and clean styling unburdened by compromise.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The "Z" badge stands as a symbol of Nissan’s sports car legacy, tracing back to the original 240Z launched in 1969. Rather than following sequential numbering (e.g., 400Z), Nissan opted for a clean "Z" to emphasize the culmination of the Z lineage — a distillation of decades of performance engineering and heritage into a modern sports car.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Nissan Z’s exterior color palette is a bold tribute to both heritage and modern flair, offering a range of vibrant, high-contrast finishes. Among the most iconic choices is Ikazuchi Yellow TriCoat, a pearlescent tribute to the 240Z’s original yellow, paired exclusively with a Super Black roof for a retro-modern two-tone look. Passion Red TriCoat delivers a deep, lustrous red with warm undertones, while Seiran Blue TriCoat offers a cooler, refined hue that also appears in the classic two-tone configuration. For those who prefer clean lines and sophistication, Everest White Pearl TriCoat and Brilliant Silver Metallic bring subtle depth and elegance. Meanwhile, colors like Rosewood Metallic and Black Diamond Pearl provide a darker, more aggressive persona, and Gun Metallic or Boulder Gray offer a motorsport-inspired, understated matte-like finish.

Inside, the Z continues to balance performance focus with premium comfort through three major interior themes. The standard Graphite interior blends black leather and suede with aluminum accents to evoke a modern, cockpit-like ambiance. On higher trims, the Blue interior scheme introduces rich ultramarine suede with contrasting silver stitching and dash panels, echoing the historic 300ZX Twin Turbo. The Red interior treatment on NISMO models and select Performance editions elevates aggression with crimson suede inserts, red-accented Recaro seats, and matching stitching across the dash and doors. Each interior option is designed to complement exterior colors while underlining the vehicle’s dual identity as both a heritage piece and a precision sports machine.

Wheel design varies significantly by trim level, enhancing the visual character and stance of each version. The base Sport trim includes 18-inch dark-painted aluminum-alloy wheels with a clean, minimalist five-spoke design. Moving up, the Performance trim is equipped with forged 19-inch RAYS® wheels that combine lightness and strength, finished in a satin graphite tone that emphasizes the car’s athletic proportions. On the NISMO variant, exclusive gloss black 19-inch RAYS® forged alloys feature an intricate twin-five-spoke design and are paired with high-performance Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT600 tires, delivering both aggressive visual appeal and enhanced grip on track and road.

Top Expensive Options

• NISMO carbon fiber aero package: $5,000
• Two-tone premium exterior paint: $1,295
• 9-speed automatic transmission (Sport/Performance trims): $1,600
• Illuminated kick plates: $500
• Interior accent package with contrast stitching and suede: $900
• Proto Spec limited edition (launch units only): included in MSRP
• Bose® Performance Series audio system: $1,200 (standard on Performance and up)
• Akebono® 4-piston performance brake kit: $2,300 (standard on Performance/NISMO)
• Front and rear sonar parking sensors: $600
• Aluminum sport pedals and metal-trim interior pack: $750

vs Competitors

The 2023 Nissan Z enters a fiercely contested segment of rear-wheel-drive coupes, competing with names like the Toyota GR Supra, Ford Mustang GT, and BMW M240i. Against the Toyota GR Supra, the Z offers a purer enthusiast experience — notably retaining a standard 6-speed manual transmission on all trims, unlike the Supra which initially launched only with an automatic. The Z’s twin-turbocharged V6 also delivers immediate throttle response and a broader torque curve compared to the BMW-sourced inline-six in the Supra, though the Supra still edges out the Z slightly in overall lap times due to its chassis tuning and shorter wheelbase. Stylistically, the Z leans more heavily into nostalgia and retro cues, appealing to long-time Z enthusiasts, while the Supra adopts a more futuristic design language.

In comparison to the Ford Mustang GT, the Nissan Z takes a very different approach — smaller, lighter, and more focused on handling balance than brute force. The Mustang offers V8 power and track variants like the Mach 1, but lacks the Z’s compact agility and Japanese build refinement. Interior materials in the Z are notably improved over the outgoing 370Z and match or exceed those in the Mustang GT, with better ergonomics and less retro clutter. The Z also appeals to buyers looking for a purist layout without muscle car bulk.

Against the BMW M240i, the Nissan Z trades all-weather capability and luxury appointments for focused rear-wheel-drive dynamics and driver engagement. While the M240i comes with xDrive AWD as standard and offers exceptional performance metrics in all conditions, it lacks a manual transmission and leans more toward grand touring than outright playfulness. The Z undercuts the BMW in price while delivering comparable straight-line speed and a more emotionally driven design ethos. Additionally, the Z’s lineage and branding resonate more with buyers seeking a dedicated sports car experience rather than a sport-luxury compromise.

Fun Fact

The 2023 Nissan Z is built on a heavily reworked version of the 370Z’s platform, but more than 80% of its parts are new or extensively upgraded. It combines modern twin-turbocharged power with design cues that pay homage to multiple generations — the front grille shape nods to the 240Z, while the rear light signature references the iconic 300ZX.