Nissan's latest interpretation of its two-seat sports car no longer has an alphanumeric name. It is simply the Nissan Z. Perhaps the final gas-powered version; the 2023 Nissan Z has been one of the most hyped cars to debut this year. It is quicker, more powerful, and even stands out from the crowd more than its predecessor, the 370Z. The absolutely gorgeous all-new retro-inspired will surely lure many gearheads to part with their hard-earned cash. It is available in two flavors, Sport and Performance. A limited-edition 2023 Nissan Z variant was also available, but Nissan has already sold all 240 of them.
With the Japanese automaker focusing more on refinement and daily drivability, the Nissan Z is one of the most comfortable, budget-friendly sports cars today. Inside, it includes a modernized cabin with plenty of soft-touch surfaces and many new technological features. Under the hood is a ferocious 400-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 (VR30DDTT) borrowed from the Infiniti Q50/60 Red Sport. Thanks to the 350 lb-ft of torque it produces at just 1,600 rpm, it's a rocket off the line. The RWD configuration and the availability of a six-speed manual transmission alongside a nine-speed auto will also appeal to many purists.
Offering so much and only starting at only $41,015 explains why many Nissan Z enthusiasts have praised it as one of the best models for 2023. It's even been tipped to be a future classic. But some gearheads aren't convinced the 2023 Nissan Z deserves the acclaim it's been receiving. Below we look at the 10 reasons why the Nissan Z is overrated.
11 Not Built On A Modern Platform
The Nissan Z has been under development since 2018. Nissan's executive management received the project proposal in 2017, a year in which the firm was experiencing financial difficulties. It was only on the condition that the sports car would use an existing platform and components it got authorized by Nissan's higher management.
That explains why the 2023 Nissan Z has FM underpinnings and uses the aging Z34 chassis. Although Nissan has heavily modified and revised the platform and chassis for the 2023 Nissan Z, this doesn't change the fact the fundamental architecture is two decades old, and the Z34 chassis is over 13 years old. These are just some of the things that have kept it heavy and less sophisticated.
10 Reuses Parts From The 370Z And Other Nissans
Nothing much on the Nissan Z is original. It has been a letdown for 370Z owners who wanted to upgrade as they'll be buying a similar car in terms of parts. Apart from the all-new retrofuturistic exterior design picking cues from the Nissan 240Z and the 300ZX, it borrows a lot from its predecessor.
The half-changed interior bears a striking resemblance to the 370Z's. Interior parts, including the climate control dials, circular door handles, low seat frames, and entire door cards, are clearly from the 370Z. Also, the Nissan Z borrows its touchscreen infotainment system and heated seat controls from other Nissan models.
9 Weight Has Increased Across The Board
A sports car's weight is important since it affects how fast and maneuverable it will be. Unfortunately for Nissan Z aficionados, weight has increased across the board. The base manual Nissan Z tips the scales at 3,486 lbs. The automatic version is slightly heavier at 3602 lbs.
Its predecessors, the base manual 370Z (3382 lbs.), the automatic Nissan 370Z (3362 lbs.), and its main competitor, the 2023 Toyota GR Supra (3400 lbs.), are lighter.
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Its Transmission (s) As Snappy As Competitors'
A transmission's speed and efficiency should match the engine's power to get the most out of an engine. On paper, the Nissan Z transmissions sound impressive. There's a six-speed manual with an Exedy high-performance clutch, and in Performance trim, you even get rev-matching technology. Automatic Nissan Zs come armed with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and aluminum GT-R-inspired paddle shifters as standard.
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The disappointing thing for most gearheads is the Zs automatic transmission is only outstanding for street driving, not ultimate performance. The downshifts aren't very responsive. In comparison, the ZF 8-Speed in the Toyota Supra is snappier both on up and downshifts. Additionally, the Z's 6-speed manual, compared to the manual ZF in 2023 Supra lifted from the M240i, is also not on the same responsiveness level.
6 2023 Nissan Z's Exhaust Is Underwhelming
Many gearheads go for sports cars for the visceral delights of their roaring engines and glorious exhausts. For a car propelled by a fantastic 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 (VR30DDTT) engine making 400hp, you'd expect the Nissan Z to have a loud ear-pleasing exhaust sound. Unfortunately, its exhaust system is one of its most disappointing aspects, especially for the manual variant.
Many reviewers have remarked that even with its gas pedal smashed to the floor, the exhaust note and the loudness remain uninspiring. The complaints have reached Nissan as the first official upgrade from Nismo is a louder sports muffler. It sells fo $2,200 and delivers the commanding sound you'd expect from a proper sports car. Many feel the Nissan Z should have come with a better exhaust from the start.
5 The 2023 Nissan Z Grille Design Is Polarizing
A significant part of the overall look of a car is the grille. The Nissan Z has a gaping rectangular grille that fans have welcomed differently. Its simplicity has pleased some but to most; it is highly unwanted. Some passionate fans have taken to Photoshop to show how better they imagine that Nissan could have designed the Z's front fascia, adding fuel to the fire of public discontent.
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Fans have mentioned that the one-off "Customized Proto" shown off during Nissan's unveiling of the Fairlady Z in Japan even has a better grille. An obvious nod to the classic Fairlady Z432R, the grille gets bisected, with the edges softened.
4 Main Competitor - Toyota GR Supra - Outshines The Nissan Z In Performance
When it comes to performance, the Nissan Z is outstanding. The manual variant gets to 60 in 4.5 seconds, while the automatic with no-lift-shift launch control does it in 4.3 seconds. But, its impressiveness hinges on whether or not you consider its rivals. In a straight line, the automatic GR Supra beats both. It's capable of 0-60 mph in a hair-raising 3.7 seconds. As tested by Caranddriver, the Supra also performs better at braking, coming to a halt from 70 mph in only 147 feet, while the Z requires 166 feet.
In weight distribution, the GR Supra has 51.7% of its weight resting on the front tires, which makes it better balanced. The Nissan Z has 56.4% of its weight resting at the front. As a result, the Toyota 2-seat sports car has more sophisticated handling and has proved faster on twisty courses when setting hot-laps.
3 More Of A Touring Sports Car Than A Track Car
The Z has never been about creature comforts and luxury. Yet, the new generation modifications have made it more of a touring sports car than a track toy. The base car comes with touring-spec tires. Also, Nissan has tuned the suspension on the softer side, setting it for good comfort when commuting and body roll management, rather than on-track performance.
Unable to offer sharper reflexes like rivals, enthusiasts planning to track the Nissan Z or drive it at the limit might get disappointed. It's not as willing and responsive as a true sports car should be.
2 It Has A Small & Shallow Trunk
Everybody occasionally goes grocery shopping. While few owners of the Nissan Z expect to use it as a grocery-getter or fit a weekend's worth of luggage for two, having ample trunk room is still a fantastic thing. The Nissan Z's little 6.9 cubic feet of trunk capacity is a touch inadequate, even for a sports car.
Additionally, it's made worse by its shallow depth as the sub for its sound system sits below. For context, the storage space is smaller than the direct rivals like the Toyota Supra (10.2 cubic feet) and Ford Mustang (13.5 cubic feet).
1 The Nissan Z Lacks Advanced Adaptive Dampers
Reviewers have described the Nissan Z's suspension as softly sprung but firmly damped. And that's because it lacks advanced adaptive dampers. Adaptive dampers are a cutting-edge automotive innovation that enhances your car's comfort and handling. They improve the driving experience by letting you quickly change the characteristics of a car's suspension at the touch of a button.
Sports cars with advanced adaptive dampers have many switchable driving modes like normal or comfort as well as sport and track, which stiffen things up for ultimate performance. With less adjustable monotube dampers, the Nissan Z only has two driving modes - sport and comfort