The US-market 2024 Nissan Z is quick and capable, but its 400-hp figure does not make the standard car a ready-made track weapon. In reviewer David C. Hayman’s assessment, it makes more sense as a comfortable, fast grand tourer: composed on the highway and enjoyable on winding roads, but too soft and heavy-feeling when pushed hard. Buyers seeking sharper handling hardware can look to the Performance trim; the track-oriented NISMO is the more direct fit for repeated hard driving.
Why the 2024 Nissan Z can feel misunderstood
The disconnect is between the Z’s headline output and its character on the road. Nissan rates the US-market 2024 Sport and Performance at 400 hp, yet Hayman’s July 13, 2025 review describes the regular Z as a fast cruiser rather than a hard-edged sports car. He found it quiet and comfortable over distance, and enjoyable on a winding road when driven below its limits. When pushed harder, he felt the suspension was soft and the car’s weight reduced confidence, particularly on track. Those are one reviewer’s impressions, not a universal verdict or the result of a controlled comparison.
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That distinction matters: a car can be genuinely quick and still prioritize road comfort over track response. For a buyer who wants a coupe for everyday use and spirited drives, the Z’s comfort may be part of the appeal. Someone expecting a sharp, track-focused setup straight from the showroom may find the standard car less focused than its power figure suggests.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat Nissan’s 2024 US-market specifications say
Nissan USA’s 2024 brochure lists rear-wheel drive across all three trims. Sport and Performance share a 3.0-liter twin-turbo DOHC V6 rated at 400 hp at 6,400 rpm and 350 lb-ft from 1,600 to 5,600 rpm. The NISMO version is rated at 420 hp at 6,400 rpm and 384 lb-ft from 2,000 to 5,200 rpm. These are brochure specifications for the US-market 2024 models, not claims for other markets or model years. See the 2024 Nissan Z brochure.
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| US-market 2024 trim | Engine output | Transmission in brochure | Differential | Selected equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | 400 hp at 6,400 rpm; 350 lb-ft at 1,600–5,600 rpm | Six-speed manual | Mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential not listed | 8-inch infotainment screen; 12.3-inch digital dashboard |
| Performance | 400 hp at 6,400 rpm; 350 lb-ft at 1,600–5,600 rpm | Six-speed manual | Mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential | 9-inch infotainment screen; 12.3-inch digital dashboard; 19-inch RAYS wheels, rear spoiler and larger brakes as described in the review |
| NISMO | 420 hp at 6,400 rpm; 384 lb-ft at 2,000–5,200 rpm | Nine-speed automatic | Mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential | 9-inch infotainment screen; 12.3-inch digital dashboard |
Nissan also specifies SynchroRev Match and an EXEDY high-performance clutch for the six-speed manual. The nine-speed automatic includes a manual shift mode. Those are features, not proof that one transmission is objectively superior. The trim list above is selective: it covers the cited powertrain and equipment distinctions rather than every standard or optional item.
Sport, Performance or NISMO: which fits your use?
Choose Sport for the straightforward road-car proposition
Sport has the same brochure-rated engine output as Performance and is listed with a six-speed manual. It has an 8-inch infotainment screen, compared with the 9-inch unit on the higher trims; all three have the 12.3-inch digital dashboard. The brochure does not list the mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential for Sport. If your priority is a quick road coupe rather than added handling hardware, the reviewer’s account suggests the standard car’s comfortable cruising character may suit you.
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Consider Performance for added handling hardware
The review identifies 19-inch RAYS wheels, a rear spoiler, larger brakes and a limited-slip differential as Performance-trim additions; Nissan’s brochure confirms the mechanical limited-slip differential and larger screen distinction. Hayman recommends considering Performance for buyers who care more about handling hardware. That recommendation is an evaluation, not a measured claim that every driver will experience a particular improvement. Performance retains the 400-hp rating and six-speed manual listing in the US brochure.
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Look at NISMO if track use is central
NISMO is the only trim in the brochure listed with the nine-speed automatic, and it receives the higher-output V6 and mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential. Hayman points track-oriented buyers toward it rather than the regular Z. The brochure establishes the specification differences; it does not establish lap-time gains or prove that NISMO will suit every track driver.
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Manual or automatic: the choice is about feel and availability
Hayman preferred the automatic for smoothness and ease. He found the manual’s clutch pedal light, with long travel and an unclear bite point, while describing the shifter as short-throw with positive engagement and noting its rev-matching function. These are his subjective impressions, not controlled transmission testing.
There is also a trim constraint: Nissan’s US-market 2024 brochure lists the manual on Sport and Performance, while NISMO is listed with the nine-speed automatic. A buyer who wants the manual cannot select NISMO based on that brochure. A buyer who values relaxed shifting may agree with the reviewer’s preference, but the best choice depends on personal taste; the published equipment details do not settle it.
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What the review’s figures do—and do not—tell you
Hayman reports 0–60 mph figures of 4.3 seconds for the automatic Z and 4.5 seconds for the manual. These are review-reported figures, not independently verified here, and should not be treated as a controlled head-to-head result. They help explain why the car can feel fast in ordinary road use, but acceleration alone does not measure steering response, composure under sustained track use or comfort over a long drive.
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Historical prices are not current asking prices
In the review published July 13, 2025, Hayman quoted US launch prices of $42,210 for Sport, $52,210 for Performance and $65,090 for NISMO. These are historical launch-price figures from that review, not current prices or a guide to what a particular dealer is asking. Because prices change with time and market conditions, check current local listings before comparing trims on cost.
Is the 2024 Nissan Z a sports car or a grand tourer?
It has the rear-wheel-drive layout and substantial power associated with a sports coupe, but Hayman’s description of the regular Z emphasizes grand-touring strengths: quiet highway cruising, comfort over distance and enjoyable road driving below the limit. The label depends on what you expect. If you mean a quick coupe that can make a long drive pleasant, the standard Z fits that idea. If you mean a firm, track-focused car that feels most confident when driven at its limit, the review argues that the regular trim may disappoint.
Is the Nissan Z good on a track?
The review does not portray the standard Z as an ideal out-of-the-box track car: its author cites soft suspension and weight as drawbacks when pushing hard, and recommends NISMO for buyers focused on track use. That is a reviewer’s assessment rather than a lap-time comparison or a claim that the Z cannot be driven on track. The sensible takeaway is to match the trim to the intensity and frequency of your intended use, rather than assuming the engine output alone defines its track suitability.
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