Nissan released the new Z for the 2023 model year, and the higher-performance NISMO variant landed in 2024. Both cars have largely flown under the radar, but they offer strong performance and striking vintage-inspired styling that sets them apart from the competition.
2026 Nissan Z Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Nissan Z
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Nissan Z
Nissan introduced a new Heritage Edition trim for the 2026 model year, which features unique Midnight Purple paint, bronze 19-inch Rays wheels, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, retro badges, and dedicated interior finishes. The NISMO model is also expected to gain a manual transmission option at some point during the 2026 calendar year.
Design
The new Z leverages many of its predecessor’s underpinnings, but its bodywork is completely unique. It has a large grille and oval headlights, and the two-door body features a swept-back shape. Nissan offers a few wheel designs, depending on the trim level, and some models are available with two-tone paint options.
Powertrain
Nissan equips the 2026 Z with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that makes 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque in the standard car. The NISMO variant boosts output to 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The base car comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but a nine-speed automatic is available, and it’s the only option for the NISMO to start 2026. That combination is good for a mid-four-second zero-60-mph time with the manual transmission and a low-four-second time with the automatic. NISMO cars make the run in just under four seconds.
Interior
The new Z seats two people on standard cloth upholstery. Synthetic leather and suede upholstery is available, along with Recaro sport seats. Both seats provide good padding, support, and room, and that’s true even with the sport seats. That said, outward visibility can be challenging due to the car’s high door sills and small side windows. Cargo space is just ok, with 6.9 cubic feet available under the rear hatch.
Technology
The Z comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, but a 9-inch touchscreen is available. Other standard tech includes wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, HD radio, voice recognition, and six speakers. A Bose stereo, Amazon Alexa, and wireless smartphone connectivity are available. Nissan’s infotainment system is straightforward and easy to use, making it less distracting while driving.
Safety
The 2026 Nissan Z is too new to have received crash-test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It comes standard with a good number of features, however, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more.
Pricing and Release Date
As of this writing, pricing for the 2026 Nissan Z starts at $42,970, just like last year. That will get you a 2026 Z Sport with your choice of manual or automatic transmission-no upcharge for either. The Performance trim starts at $52,970 regardless of transmission, and opting for the Heritage Edition adds $2,940 to that price. The 2026 Z NISMO starts at $65,750. The Z is expected to be available in late September of 2025, and all models will be subject to a $1,245 destination fee.
