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.
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 Breakdown 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 syncedJun 4, 2026 · 10:36 PM
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 1-Owner | 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 |
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.