The Nissan Z (no model number, just 'Z') is the seventh generation of the Z-car lineage that began with the 1970 Datsun 240Z. It launched for MY2023 as a heavy reinterpretation of the previous 370Z, sharing the 370Z's chassis underpinnings but with a completely new twin-turbo V6 powertrain, modern interior, and exterior styling that explicitly references the original 240Z and the 300ZX of the 1990s. It remains rear-wheel drive only and is one of the very few new sports cars in the US still offered with a manual transmission across most of its lineup. The Z is for the buyer who wants a turbocharged V6 RWD coupe with a stick, a category that has shrunk dramatically over the last decade.
2026 Nissan Z: What's in stock, trim-level comparison, FAQ's.
Quick Answer
The Nissan Z is the modern continuation of the Z-car lineage that started with the 1970 Datsun 240Z. It is a rear-wheel-drive two-seat sports coupe powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing approximately 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque on Sport and Performance trims, rising to 420 horsepower on the track-focused NISMO. Buyers can choose a 6-speed manual transmission on Sport and Performance, or a 9-speed automatic with launch control; the NISMO trim is automatic-only, verify exact transmission availability for the model year on nissanusa.com. EPA fuel economy on the manual is roughly 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined; the automatic differs slightly. The Z is most directly cross-shopped with the Toyota GR Supra, Ford Mustang EcoBoost / GT, and (as a step down in price and power) the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86. Swope Nissan has 1 Performance available right now.
Nissan Z Gallery
Highlights of the 2026 Nissan Z
- 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6, approximately 400 hp / 350 lb-ft on Sport and Performance trims; 420 hp on NISMO (verify per model year on nissanusa.com)
- Rear-wheel drive only, no AWD option, true to the Z lineage
- 6-speed manual transmission available on Sport and Performance; 9-speed automatic with launch control optional; NISMO is automatic-only, verify per model year
- Trim ladder: Sport (entry), Performance (mechanical LSD, larger brakes, sport-tuned suspension), NISMO (track-focused, more power, aero), plus Heritage Edition appearance package on certain years (verify availability)
- EPA combined fuel economy approximately 20 mpg on the manual (18 city / 24 highway); automatic differs, verify on fueleconomy.gov for the model year
- 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay (wired Android Auto), 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with sport-specific layouts
- Standard 3-year / 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year / 60,000-mile powertrain warranty
Trim-Level Comparison and Availability at Swope Nissan
Compare available trim levels to find the right Nissan Z for you. Pricing reflects current in-stock inventory.
| Compare trimsTrim1 trim · 1 in stock | Performance1 in stock |
|---|---|
| Pricing | |
| Starting price | $54,902 |
| Top price | $54,902 |
| Powertrain | |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Fuel options | Gasoline |
| Engine | V6, 3.0L |
| MPG (city / hwy) | 19 / 28 |
| Standard equipment · Safety & driver assistance | |
| Auto high-beam headlights | |
| Blind-spot & rear cross-traffic alert | |
| Front & rear parking sensors | |
| Lane keep assist | |
| Pedestrian & cyclist detection | |
| Standard equipment · Technology & infotainment | |
| Built-in navigation | |
| In-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot | |
| Premium audio (Bose) | |
| Push-button start with proximity key | |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | |
| Standard equipment · Comfort & convenience | |
| Heated front seats | |
| Memory driver seat & mirrors | |
| Standard equipment · Interior & exterior | |
| Leather seating | |
| LED headlights & daytime running lights | |
Inside the Nissan Z
Sport is the entry trim, twin-turbo V6, 6-speed manual or 9-speed auto, 18-inch wheels, cloth-and-synthetic-leather seats, and the core sports-coupe experience without the heaviest equipment. Performance steps up to 19-inch wheels, larger brakes, a mechanical limited-slip differential, sport-tuned suspension, leather-and-suede seats, Bose audio, and the heads-up performance content. NISMO is the track-focused trim, more power (~420 hp), unique aero, retuned suspension, NISMO-specific seats, and an exclusive NISMO-tuned 9-speed automatic; it is automatic-only on current model years (verify on nissanusa.com for the year you are shopping). Heritage Edition is a periodic appearance package that adds period-correct exterior color and stripe combinations referencing earlier Z cars, availability varies by model year.
Against the Toyota GR Supra, the Z gives up some chassis polish but offers a manual transmission across most of its lineup (the Supra Manual is GR Supra 3.0 only) and meaningfully more interior practicality. Against the Ford Mustang, the Z is smaller, lighter, and turbocharged-V6 instead of V8 (Mustang GT) or 4-cylinder (EcoBoost), Mustang gets you a back seat and a folding fastback, the Z gets you a more focused two-seat coupe. Against the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86, the Z is in a different price and power class, it has roughly double the horsepower and costs proportionally more. With the Chevrolet Camaro out of production, the Z and the Mustang are the last affordable rear-drive American-market sports coupes with V6/V8 power.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Twin-turbo V6, meaningful power (400+ hp) without going to a V8
- Manual transmission still available on Sport and Performance, increasingly rare in this segment
- Rear-wheel drive only, true to the Z lineage
- Direct visual link to the original 240Z and 300ZX
- Mechanical limited-slip differential and larger brakes on Performance trim
- Bose audio, leather-and-suede seats, head-up display on Performance
- Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
Cons
- Two seats only, no rear seat or hatchback like the Mustang
- Cargo space is limited to the rear cargo area behind the seats
- Fuel economy (~20 mpg combined on manual) is appropriate for a 400 hp twin-turbo V6 but trails 4-cyl sport coupes like the BRZ/GR86 and Mustang EcoBoost
- NISMO is automatic-only on current model years, buyers wanting the most powerful Z with a stick are out of luck
- Ride is firm by design, this is a sports coupe, not a grand tourer
Who is the 2026 Nissan Z best for?
Manual-transmission enthusiast
The 6-speed manual is available on Sport and Performance trims and is one of the few new-car options in the US that pairs a stick with a turbocharged V6 making 400 horsepower in a rear-wheel-drive coupe. For the buyer specifically looking for a manual sports car, not a hot hatch, not a four-cylinder, not an automatic-only halo, the Z Performance with the manual is the closest thing on the new-car market to the classic 300ZX recipe.
Automatic daily-driver sports car
The 9-speed automatic with launch control makes the Z surprisingly civilized as a daily driver, adaptive shift logic, paddle shifters, and the same twin-turbo V6 power. For a buyer who wants the Z look and the V6 sound but commutes through Elizabethtown / Radcliff / Louisville traffic, the automatic Sport or Performance is the more practical pick.
NISMO track-focused buyer
The NISMO trim is the most aggressive Z, more power (approximately 420 hp), unique aero, NISMO-tuned 9-speed automatic, retuned suspension, and NISMO-specific seats. It is automatic-only on current model years. For buyers who plan to take the car to Mid-Ohio, NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, or local autocross events, the NISMO is the factory-built track-day Z.
Heritage / collectible buyer
Nissan periodically offers Heritage Edition appearance packages with period-correct color and stripe combinations referencing the 240Z, 280ZX, and 300ZX. Availability varies year to year, Swope Nissan can confirm whether Heritage Edition is on the 2026 build sheet and whether any are allocated to the store. For collectors and Z-car enthusiasts, these limited-availability packages tend to hold value better than standard trims.
Why this matters around Elizabethtown
Swope Nissan in Elizabethtown, Kentucky serves Z shoppers across Hardin County, Meade County, Radcliff, Fort Knox, Bardstown, and the south side of Louisville. The Z is a low-volume sports coupe, allocations are tight, so a quick call to (270) 765-6477 is the right way to confirm what is on the lot or in transit and whether NISMO or Heritage Edition allocations are available. The store's service department keeps Z owners on the road with factory-trained Nissan technicians and OEM parts, important on a low-volume enthusiast car.
New 2026 Nissan Z Inventory at Swope NissanLive
Current in-stock units at Swope Nissan in Elizabethtown, KY with full specifications, pricing, and direct links to each vehicle's detail page.
Total in stock1vehicle
Price range$54,902
Available powertrainsGasoline
Last syncedAug 1, 2026 · 1:49 AM
Showing 1 of 1 vehicles.
| VIN | Stock # | Year | Make | Model | Trim | Body | Price | VDP | Mileage | Exterior | Interior | Engine | Drive | Transmission | Fuel | New/Used | CPO | MPG City | MPG Hwy | Carfax Accident | Carfax 1-Owner | Doors | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JN1BZ4BH4TM502115 | N26161010 | 2026 | Nissan | Z | Performance | Coupe | $54,902 | VDP | 7 | Solid Red/Super Black | RED ACCENT | V6, 3.0L | RWD | 9-speed automatic | Gasoline | New | No | 19 | 28 | No | No | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 Nissan Z
A 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (the VR30DDTT) producing approximately 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque on Sport and Performance trims, and approximately 420 horsepower on the NISMO. Verify exact figures for the model year on nissanusa.com.
Yes, a 6-speed manual is available on Sport and Performance trims. A 9-speed automatic with launch control is optional. The NISMO trim is automatic-only on current model years; verify per model year on nissanusa.com.
Rear-wheel drive only. There is no all-wheel-drive option, in keeping with the Z-car lineage.
Sport (entry), Performance (mechanical LSD, larger brakes, sport-tuned suspension, leather-and-suede), and NISMO (track-focused, more power, unique aero, automatic-only). Heritage Edition appearance packages are offered on some model years, verify on nissanusa.com.
Approximately 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined on the 6-speed manual. The 9-speed automatic returns slightly different figures. Verify the exact numbers for the model year on fueleconomy.gov.
The Z gives up some chassis polish to the Supra but offers a manual transmission more broadly across its lineup (Supra manual is limited to the GR Supra 3.0) and a more practical interior. The Supra has slightly tighter handling; the Z has the lineage and the manual-availability story.
The Z is smaller, lighter, two-seats-only, and turbocharged V6. The Mustang gives you a back seat, a folding fastback, and V8 power on GT trims. With the Camaro out of production, the Z and the Mustang are the last affordable RWD American-market sports coupes.
Standard wireless Apple CarPlay (wired Android Auto), a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with sport-specific layouts, and launch control on the automatic. Performance adds Bose audio and a head-up display.
Nissan's standard 3-year / 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and 5-year / 60,000-mile powertrain warranty apply, plus 5 years / unlimited miles of corrosion coverage.
Verify the 2026 NISMO availability and exact specifications on nissanusa.com, Nissan periodically refreshes the NISMO trim and Heritage Edition packages, and 2026 lineup details should be confirmed before purchase.
The Z is a low-volume sports coupe and allocations are tight, see the live Z inventory on this page or call Swope Nissan at (270) 765-6477 for the current count, trim mix (Sport / Performance / NISMO), and transmission availability on the lot or in transit.
Pricing varies significantly by trim, with the NISMO commanding a meaningful premium over Sport and Performance. Live MSRP is listed alongside each Z in the inventory above; call (270) 765-6477 for an out-the-door quote.
Swope Nissan is at 1100 N Dixie Hwy, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, serving Hardin County, Meade County, Radcliff, Fort Knox, Bardstown, and the Louisville metro area along I-65.
Yes. Use the contact form on this page to request a Z test drive at Swope Nissan, or call (270) 765-6477. Specify whether you want manual or automatic, manual-equipped Zs are lower volume and may need to be scheduled around availability.
Yes. Swope Nissan's service department employs factory-trained Nissan technicians using Nissan OEM parts, important on a low-volume enthusiast car like the Z. The Z is covered by Nissan's standard 3-year / 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 5-year / 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and the store follows Nissan's published maintenance intervals for the twin-turbo VR30DDTT V6.