Used 2023 Nissan Z for Sale nearChicago, IL

Is the 2023 Nissan Z a good car?

Yes — 5/5 from owners and 7.00/10 from our experts. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

The 2023 Nissan Z stands out as a performance value in the two-seat sports car market, and Nissan positions it as a stylish new entry in a segment with little direct competition. It also brings a thoroughly updated look and feel, with the result described as a mostly new Z that drives like it is all-new, even if some traces of the older 370Z remain.

That combination of fresh styling, strong performance, and accessible positioning gives it a clear identity. The tradeoffs are equally clear, though, since it is noisy and does not offer much cargo space.

At 33.2%, the share of good or great deals suggests there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2023 Nissan Z reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2023 Nissan Z is presented as a mostly new, thoroughly updated sports car, and our experts describe it as driving like it is all-new despite some carryover traces from the previous generation. Its powertrain is a highlight, with the twin-turbo V6 described as delightful and tuned for improved throttle response.

Nissan also includes a maintenance perk on the broader market side by offering free scheduled maintenance on some competing models, which makes the Z’s value proposition more important to weigh carefully. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a high-performance two-seat sports car can be costly to live with if you prioritize comfort, cargo room, and quiet operation.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Nissan Z?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 92.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a car that may have been driven hard. Focus on overall condition, tire wear, brake wear, and signs of abuse, since this is a performance-oriented sports car.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Sport trim starts with an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, and a simpler equipment set, while the Performance trim adds a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, navigation, an eight-speaker Bose system, and more upscale exterior and chassis hardware. The base trim leaves out several of those upgrades, so you should decide whether the added equipment and hardware are worth the jump.
• Powertrain: The Z uses a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic. The manual is standard, while the automatic is the easier route if you want the best fuel economy and quicker performance numbers.
• Safety package: Every Z includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors at each end of the car. Adaptive cruise control has full-stop capability with the automatic transmission.
• Infotainment: Sport trim gets an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and six speakers. Performance trim upgrades to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect Services, navigation, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: Nissan predicts 20 mpg in combined driving with the manual transmission and 22 mpg with the automatic. In testing, the car returned 22.5 mpg with the manual and 27.5 mpg with the automatic.

Which 2023 Nissan Z trim should I buy?

The 2023 Nissan Z is offered in 2 trim levels: Sport and Performance.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Z experience at the lowest price. You still get the twin-turbo V6, the manual transmission, the 8-inch touchscreen, and the full suite of driver-assistance features, so it is the best-value choice if you want the car’s performance and style without paying for the extra hardware in the higher trim.
• Performance: This is the better-equipped and more focused version, adding the 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, navigation, Bose audio, larger brakes, a sport suspension, forged wheels, a mechanical limited-slip differential, launch control, and a throatier exhaust note. If you want the most complete and enthusiast-friendly Z, this is the one to target.

Every new Z now has blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors at each end of the car.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Nissan Z?

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively and still find reasonable opportunities.

• Deal availability: 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 214 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 92.1% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2023 Nissan Z safe?

The 2023 Nissan Z does not have a crash-test rating cited here, but it does come with a broad set of standard driver-assistance features.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Nissan equips every new Z with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors at each end of the car. Adaptive cruise control includes full-stop capability with the automatic transmission.

A caveat worth noting is that the lane-departure warning’s beeping may be irritating, and the car’s safety tech is more about everyday confidence than standout crash-test accolades.

Should I buy a 2023 Nissan Z or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 92.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It arrives as a thoroughly updated, mostly new Z that drives like it is all-new.

Consider the 2024 if:

• Nissan adds more performance with the return of the Z NISMO.

The bottom line: The 2023 is the right pick if you want the fresh redesign, strong value positioning, and a broad used-market selection. If you are willing to spend more for extra performance, the 2024 is the better path; if you are price-sensitive, the 2023 remains the smarter buy.

How does the 2023 Nissan Z compare to the 2023 Toyota GR86?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2023 Nissan Z:

• Pros: Stylish design, Powerful engine, Good value for money.
• Cons: Noisy, Not much cargo space, Stereo is lacking.

2023 Toyota GR86:

• Pros: Blissful handling dynamics, Sharp acceleration, Straightforward controls.
• Cons: Dated infotainment system, Small rear seat, Lots of cabin noise.

Our experts score the 2023 Nissan Z 7/10 and the 2023 Toyota GR86 7.7/10. The Nissan gives you far more power and a stronger value story, while the Toyota leans harder into handling feel and driver engagement. If you want the more muscular sports car with a stylish design, the Z makes sense; if you care more about sharp dynamics and lower pricing, the GR86 is the better fit.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.