Paying homage to the fourth generation of the Nissan Z sports car, the 2026 Nissan Z introduces a new Heritage Edition with visual enhancements that evoke the 1990s. The new model was revealed today at the 38th annual ZCON, the International Z Car Convention hosted by the Z Car Club, which welcomes hundreds of Z car enthusiasts each year.
The 2026 Nissan Z offers three compelling grades – Sport, Performance and NISMO. The 2026 Nissan Z will reach dealers later this month with Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) starting at $42,970.
The Heritage Edition package is offered exclusively on the 2026 Nissan Z Performance grade for $2,940, bringing the total MSRP of a 2026 Nissan Z Performance grade with Heritage Edition package to $55,910 – a significant value.
Z32 brought to the 21st century
The Nissan 300ZX – known by enthusiasts as the Z32 – was introduced in 1989, two decades after the first Nissan Z sports car. Its low, wide proportions and extremely short overhangs alluded to its thrilling performance potential, which included an available twin-turbo V6 engine.
The 2026 Z Heritage Edition recreates that iconic model with bronze 19-inch RAYS® wheels, a carbon-fiber rear spoiler featuring a retro-styled “Twin Turbo” badge, and bronze “Twin Turbo” graphics on the body sides. Interior enhancements include unique door kick plates and exclusive floor mats.
The final touch is Midnight Purple paint, one of the most beloved shades in Nissan performance car history from the iconic GT-R.
The Heritage Edition package is exclusively available for the 2026 Nissan Z Performance grade.
Also new for 2026, Z Sport and Performance grades are available with a new Boulder Gray paint color paired with a black roof.
Modern yet retro design
The seventh-generation Nissan Z’s iconic design features numerous elements that reference the sports car’s history. For instance, the raised hood bulge with sharp creases recalls the original Nissan Z, and the twin crescent-shaped LED running lights on each headlight recall the glass-covered headlights of the 240ZG. The rear of the 2026 Z is clearly influenced by the Z32, including its elongated-oval tail light shapes and blacked-out center section. Z32-inspired elongated oval shapes are also seen in the modern Z’s front grille.
Within the cabin, designers incorporated three gauges atop the dashboard, a design cue seen on many past Z sports cars. In the case of the 2026 model, those show turbocharger boost pressure, turbine speed and battery voltage. The car’s general dashboard layout – simple, functional, horizontal – was similarly inspired by the purposeful look of the original Z.
Three flavors of Nissan’s iconic sports car
The 2026 Nissan Z Sport features a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine rated at 400 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque. The engine can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a nine-speed automatic with shift paddles. Standard features include a fully digital meter display, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, Intelligent Cruise Control, Nissan Intelligent Key™ with push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and 18-inch wheels with Yokohama ADVAN Sport high performance tires.
Moving up to the 2026 Nissan Z Performance adds the capability and excitement of a mechanical Limited Slip Differential, 19-inch RAYS super-lightweight forged aluminum-alloy wheels mounted with Bridgestone Potenza® S007 high performance tires and Nissan Performance Brakes. Additional convenience features include an eight-speaker Bose® Audio System, a 9-inch touchscreen with navigation, NissanConnect® Services with Wi-Fi hotspot, heated side mirrors, aluminum sport pedals and heated, leather-appointed power seats.
The 2026 Nissan Z NISMO features precise engineering that exhilarates drivers on and off the racetrack. Its engine output rises to 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, complemented by a faster-shifting transmission. NISMO-tuned suspension and brakes, revised aerodynamic bodywork, and wider wheels with a more aggressive tire compound deliver more confident, more capable performance. Interior enhancements include red-anodized engine-start and drive mode buttons, manual-adjust Recaro seats, and a leather- and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with a red marker at the 12 o’clock position.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices for the 2026 Nissan Z:
| Model |
Transmission |
MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Z Sport |
9AT |
$42,970 |
| Nissan Z Sport |
6MT |
$42,970 |
| Nissan Z Performance* |
9AT |
$52,970 |
| Nissan Z Performance* |
6MT |
$52,970 |
| Nissan Z NISMO |
9AT |
$65,750 |
*Heritage Edition package: $2,940
Destination & Handling: $1,245
| FACTORY INSTALLED ACCESSORIES | Suggested List Price(1) | Sport | Performance | NISMO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Two-tone Paint | $1,295 | ● | ● | ● |
| Two-tone Paint | $895 | ● | ● | ● |
| Premium Paint | $450 | ● | ● | |
| Heritage Edition (Midnight Purple) | $2,940 | ● |
(1) = Manufacturer’s Suggested List Price: Manufacturer’s recommended pre-delivery service and factory to dealer allowances included. Excludes tax, title, license, and destination charges.
What’s New
- Heritage Edition pays homage to the fourth-generation Z sports car, the 300ZX “Z32”, with retro-inspired visual touches.
- Z Sport and Performance grades add available two-tone Boulder Gray paint color paired with a black roof.
Need to Know
The 2026 Nissan Z is available in Sport, Performance and NISMO grades.
Performance
Twin-turbo engine thrills with 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, channeled through six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission.
Performance-enhancing tech includes Z thrills with SynchroRev Match (Performance grade, manual), mechanical Limited Slip Differential (Performance and NISMO grades) and Launch Control (standard with automatic transmission).
NISMO delivers track-ready exhilaration with 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, NISMO-tuned suspension, unique stabilizer bars, a stiffer spring rate, retuned dampers, wider rear wheels, and Dunlop® SP SPORT MAXX GT600 tires.
Design
Iconic sports car silhouette includes numerous references to the historic Z models, including long hood with “Z bulge,” Z32-inspired rear and signature lighting referencing the 240ZG’s headlights.
Performance-focused interior elements include three gauges atop the dashboard, GT-R-inspired steering wheel, aluminum pedals, door trim suede and Recaro seats (NISMO only).
Striking, functional NISMO design elements include restyled grille with thinner honeycomb mesh; taller, wider three-piece rear spoiler; canards at the car’s front corners; NISMO red accents; and exclusive Stealth Gray paint.
Tech
Driver-focused cockpit features 12.3-inch meter offering three modes to suit the driver’s mood and preference: Normal, Enhanced and Sport.
Stay connected with standard Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™ and two USB ports.
Available connectivity features include 8-speaker Bose® Audio System, 9-inch touchscreen with navigation, NissanConnect® Services with Wi-Fi hotspot.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Enhanced confidence with standard driver assistance and safety technology including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Standard Intelligent Cruise Control makes highway road trips more convenient.
