The Nissan Z is a welcome change in the automotive world. It proved that the company can still make a capable sports car that’s great value for money, especially in times when other carmakers are partnering up to save costs. In fact, I would argue that the Nissan Z Performance is the best sports car you can get for under $50,000. The model saw a 160-percent jump in sales 2025, compared to the previous years, surpassing its main rival, the Toyota GR Supra, which will soon get a complete redesign.
Fixing the Nissan Z’s most divisive feature
But 2026 will be exciting for the brand, and one of the reasons is the upcoming Nissan Z refresh. The minor update will be for the 2027 model year, and will feature a new front bumper. The Z does a great job of emulating the overall design of the 1969 Datsun 240Z, but the square grille of the regular models is a bit weird. Personally I could tolerate it, but the NISMO and early Heritage Edition models look way better in my opinion.
There are no official images of the refreshed front bumper, but it will definitely be an improvement over the current front fascia. I hope it’s something resembling the early Z Heritage Edition. I don’t think it will be the NISMO front bumper, as this could dilute the Z lineup.
The 2026 Nissan Z will also bring some changes
While much subtler, the 2026 Nissan Z will also bring some noticeable changes, albeit minor. The sports coupe will ditch the Nissan badge for a “Z” (the same one seen on the rear quarter panels), taking the next step in differentiating itself from the brand’s more mainstream models.
This is also similar to the GT-R, which is also scheduled to return. There will also be a new Boulder Gray exterior paint with a black roof, which wasn’t previously available. For 2026, the NISMO Z is getting a six-speed manual, which may piss off some fans who already own a NISMO Z with the nine-speed automatic.
Nissan is keeping it real with the price
You're aware of how prices tend to increase slightly with every model year? Well, Nissan didn’t do that with the 2026 Z. Prices remain the same, which means you can pick up the Japanese sports car for $44,165 (for the base, Sport trim), but there are plenty of great deals for under MSRP. I also happen to know at least one dealer that is working to deliver the most driver-centric Nissan Z models for reasonable prices, so finding one for the right price is still fairly easy.
No changes under the hood for now, but Nissan has the opportunity to do something epic
The same 3.0-liter, VE30DDTT, twin-turbo V-6 will continue to serve in the Z. For the Sport and Performance trims, you still get 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet, while the NISMO Z gets 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet. Transmission options also remain the same - a six-speed manual and a nine-speed automatic for all Z trims.
The VE30DDTT has already proven to be a powerhouse. It’s tuner-friendly, and you can easily extract an extra 100 to 150 horsepower. But Nissan has another twin-turbo V-6 - the VR35DTT. This engine currently works in the Armada.
I would love to see this engine in the Z, although it would need to be accompanied by the appropriate tweaks to the chassis. I would argue Nissan is keeping this engine for use in the future GT-R, in hybrid form, but at this point, this is pure speculation.
More NISMO models in the future
A few days ago, Nissan and its motorsports and customization division announced that it would lean more towards motorsport activities. It seems the old “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” strategy is coming back, and Nissan plans to use this to expand the NISMO lineup. So far, only two of the five existing NISMO models are sold in the US - the NISMO Z and Armada NISMO.
One of the upcoming models will almost certainly be the new Infiniti performance sedan, which promises up to 450 horsepower and a manual transmission. At some point, there will be a new GT-R and a NISMO version of it, but it has been a while since we have heard something on that front.
It seems like Nissan is finally getting its act together, but I am curious to hear what you think of the brand’s current state and its future plans. Share your thoughts in the comment section below. where it makes 425 horsepower (460 for the NISMO) and 516 pound-feet.
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Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image source: 2026 Nissan Z, 2024 NISMO Z
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