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What are the main differences between the 2024 Z and Z NISMO?
Nissan lists the Z Sport and Performance at 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. The NISMO’s tuned 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is rated at 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft. All three trims are rear-wheel drive. The NISMO’s advantage is not just its higher output: it also has NISMO-specific suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, tires and body equipment.
| 2024 configuration | Engine output | Transmission | Nissan-listed curb weight | EPA city/highway/combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport, manual | 400 hp, 350 lb-ft | 6-speed manual | 3,486 lb | 18/24/20 mpg |
| Sport, automatic | 400 hp, 350 lb-ft | 9-speed automatic | 3,549 lb | 19/28/22 mpg |
| Performance, manual | 400 hp, 350 lb-ft | 6-speed manual | 3,536 lb | 18/24/20 mpg |
| Performance, automatic | 400 hp, 350 lb-ft | 9-speed automatic | 3,602 lb | 19/28/22 mpg |
| NISMO, automatic | 420 hp, 384 lb-ft | 9-speed automatic | 3,704 lb | 17/24/19 mpg |
These are Nissan’s published specifications and EPA estimates for the 2024 model year; the figures vary by trim and transmission. Nissan’s brochure also lists the NISMO as longer and wider than Sport and Performance, but all have the same 100.4-inch wheelbase, 51.8-inch height and 42.9 inches of front legroom.
Can you get the NISMO with a manual?
No. For 2024, Nissan lists the Z NISMO only with a nine-speed automatic. Sport and Performance buyers can choose either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic. The manual option is therefore a decisive distinction for drivers who want a clutch pedal, not a minor equipment difference. Nissan describes the manual as offering an “engaging, connected driving experience”; that is manufacturer positioning, not a comparative test result.
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What does the NISMO add over the Performance trim?
Performance is the key comparison for buyers weighing the NISMO’s extra hardware against a less specialized Z. Both Performance and NISMO have a mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential and launch control. The NISMO adds a higher-output engine, NISMO-tuned suspension and steering, larger front brakes, wider rear tires, forged wheels, and dedicated aerodynamic and body-reinforcement features.
| Equipment | Performance | NISMO |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 400 hp, 350 lb-ft | 420 hp, 384 lb-ft |
| Front/rear brake discs | 14.0-inch front, 13.8-inch rear | 15.0-inch front, 13.8-inch rear |
| Front/rear tire size | 255/40R19 front, 275/35R19 rear high-performance tires | 255/40R19 front, 285/35R19 rear special Dunlop tires |
| Wheels | Performance wheels | NISMO RAYS forged wheels |
| Differential | Mechanical clutch-type limited-slip | Mechanical clutch-type limited-slip |
| Suspension and steering | Monotube shock absorbers and vehicle-speed-sensitive electric power steering | NISMO-tuned suspension and vehicle-speed-sensitive electric power steering |
| Transmission choices | 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic only |
The brakes use Akebono four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers on Performance; the NISMO uses NISMO Akebono calipers with the same piston counts and a larger front disc. Sport, by contrast, has 12.6-inch front and 12.1-inch rear vented discs. Nissan also lists downshift rev matching, paddle shifters and drive modes for the NISMO, including a unique Sport+ mode.
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Is the Performance trim the better choice?
There is no universal winner based on specifications alone, and Nissan’s brochure does not establish a current price premium that would settle the value question. Performance is the logical middle ground if you want the limited-slip differential, launch control and larger brakes but also want the choice of a manual. NISMO is the more specialized factory package if its additional output, chassis tuning, brakes, tires and aero equipment matter more to you than a manual option.
- Choose Sport if you want the standard 400-hp Z with a manual or automatic and do not need Performance or NISMO equipment.
- Choose Performance if you want a manual-capable Z with a limited-slip differential, launch control and upgraded brakes.
- Choose NISMO if you want Nissan’s higher-output, NISMO-equipped version and are comfortable with an automatic-only configuration.
What do the fuel economy and weight figures mean?
Nissan’s 2024 EPA estimates put the automatic Sport and Performance at 19 mpg city, 28 highway and 22 combined, compared with 17/24/19 mpg for the automatic NISMO. The manual Sport and Performance are listed at 18/24/20 mpg. Nissan lists the NISMO automatic at 3,704 pounds, heavier than every listed Sport and Performance configuration. Those figures describe the published configurations; they do not predict an individual driver’s real-world fuel use or establish how the cars feel on the road.
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Which Z is best for your use?
Start with the transmission you want, then decide whether the NISMO-specific equipment justifies giving up the manual. For mixed road use, the Performance offers substantial hardware without forcing an automatic. For a buyer prioritizing the NISMO’s factory tuning and equipment, the NISMO is the clear specification choice. A genuine test-drive verdict on ride comfort, steering feel, acceleration or track performance requires driving the cars; Nissan’s specifications alone cannot establish those subjective or measured comparisons.
For exact year- and trim-specific specifications, consult Nissan’s 2024 Z brochure and Z Performance page.
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