2027 Nissan Z Preview

2027 Nissan
Z Preview

The Z’s legacy stretches back nearly six decades to the original Datsun 240Z, and the legendary model has earned a reputation for thrills along the way. An integral part of the Z’s appeal has always been a clear commitment to its storied heritage, from its classic look to its steadfast retention of a manual transmission in an era when many rivals have traded their stick shifts for paddles. There has been a recurring catch, however. Since 2024, the six-speed manual has been limited to the lower trim levels, forcing enthusiasts to choose between the traditional driving experience and the top NISMO variant’s enhanced performance. For 2027, that tradeoff disappears: For the first time in this current Z generation, the NISMO will have a standard manual transmission. It will be specifically engineered to match its sport-tuned powerplant, providing enthusiasts with the ultimate driving experience.

The 2027 Z will also introduce a range of mechanical and design updates, including a new front end for the non-NISMO trims, upgraded shocks and wheels for the Performance, a GT-R-derived braking system for the NISMO, and fuel tank adjustments for all trims to better suit high-G cornering. Of course, no Z refresh would be complete without a nod to the nameplate’s aforementioned lineage. While the Heritage Edition, created to honor the 1996 300ZX, will be retired following this 30th-anniversary production run, the reimagined 2027 Z will pay homage to the S30-generation model, familiar to Nissan purists as the Fairlady, with an available Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic exterior.

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Powertrain and Performance

The Sport, Performance, and NISMO trims will return for 2027, and they all will be available with a manual transmission. The track-ready NISMO will get a short-shift six-speed manual specifically tuned to match the grade’s high-output engine, complemented by SynchroRev Match technology. A nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and downshift rev-matching will be available across the lineup.

The Z will keep its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which produces 400 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque in the lower trims, but increases output to 420 horsepower and 384 lb.-ft. of torque on the NISMO grade. Rear-wheel drive will remain as the Z’s exclusive drivetrain. Nissan has not yet released fuel economy estimates, but with unchanged powertrains, the lower trims are expected to return their current 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway with the manual transmission and 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway with the automatic. There is not a current-gen manual NISMO to compare this upcoming model to, but the automatic should match its current 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway ratings.

Powertrains aside, the Z will debut several performance upgrades for the 2027 model year. Every trim will receive a revised fuel tank designed to withstand high-G cornering, and the NISMO will adopt a new braking system from the retired GT-R, reducing front weight by approximately 19 pounds. The automaker will also enhance the suspension on the higher trims: the Performance will gain larger-diameter shocks for improved damping, and the NISMO’s suspension will be retuned to accommodate the lighter braking system.

2027 Nissan Z performance alloy wheel and red brake caliper

Design and Amenities

The 2027 Z will stay true to its roots, retaining its long, low silhouette, distinctive hood bulge, and “katana” blade trim. The look will change a bit with a redesigned grille on the Sport and Performance, replacing the current grid pattern with smooth lines split by a body-color horizontal center bar. The lower two trims will also don a restyled front bumper that optimizes airflow, improving aerodynamics and reducing lift and drag. Both higher trims will be available with Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic paint, a retro-inspired hue derived from the S30-generation Z. The Performance will ride on new forged 19-inch wheels with black-painted spokes and a machine-finished rim, and the full lineup will swap the Nissan logo on the hood for a distinctive Z badge. Functional exterior elements will likely remain: standard LED exterior lighting, side-view mirror-mounted turn indicators, and proximity entry, joined by heated side-view mirrors on the Performance and NISMO.

In the cockpit, updates will focus on subtle tech and style. A frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror will be standard, while the upper trims will introduce a 15-watt wireless smartphone charger with magnetic alignment and cooling fans. The NISMO will add a new tan upholstery option, offering an alternative to the classic black leather with red accents. The Sport will come with manually adjustable cloth seats; the Performance will offer power-adjustable heated leather seats, and the NISMO will show off leather-upholstered Recaro performance seats with Alcantara trim. The digital instrument cluster will remain standard, accompanied by the dash-mounted performance gauge display (turbocharger boost, turbocharger turbine speed, voltmeter), as well as dual USB ports and 12-volt power outlets.

2027 Nissan Z green exterior rear driving performance stance

Safety and Driver-Assist Technology

Nissan had not announced safety updates for the Z at the time of this writing, but potential buyers can assume that the driver-assistance suite will be similar to that of the current model. We anticipate seeing intelligent cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, predictive collision warning, blind-spot warning, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, a traction control system, brake assist, hill start assist, and high beam assist in addition to the requisite rearview monitor.

2027 Nissan Z driver-focused interior cockpit digital display

Infotainment and Connectivity

For 2027, Nissan will retune the Z’s Active Sound Enhancement to better complement the eight-speaker Bose sound system in the Performance and NISMO. Otherwise, the infotainment setup will likely remain familiar: an 8-inch touchscreen in the Sport with USB smartphone integration, or a larger 9-inch display in the upper trims with Amazon Alexa built-in and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Standard Siri Eyes Free voice recognition, Bluetooth wireless phone and audio, and SiriusXM satellite radio are expected to return, and NissanConnect will continue to offer onboard navigation, Wi-Fi, and connected services on the Performance and NISMO.