2027 Nissan Z Nismo Arrives with a Stick Shift and a Sticker Shock

The 2027 Nissan Z is rolling into dealerships this summer, and it’s bringing a bigger price tag along for the ride. The base coupe now starts at $44,480, a $1,510 jump from last year’s model. But before you grumble about the extra cash, Nissan has tossed in a handful of updates to sweeten the deal.

The most obvious change is a mild facelift: a new front bumper, a revised grille, and a fresh “Z” badge replacing the old Nissan emblem. A new Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic paint joins the palette, and under the skin, the fuel tank has been reworked to keep gas flowing smoothly during hard track driving.

Step up to the Z Performance trim, priced at $54,480 (also up $1,510), and you’ll find a Qi2 wireless charger, 19-inch forged wheels with black spokes and machined rims, plus larger shock absorbers for a more comfortable ride. A tan interior option breaks away from the usual black monotony.

Then there’s the big news: the $67,260 Z Nismo, which also costs $1,510 more than before. For that premium, Nissan has fitted a new six-speed manual transmission designed specifically for this top-tier variant. The gearbox features an upgraded clutch and a revised shift lever ratio, promising quicker, more solid-feeling throws.

Throttle response is sharper, and the Active Sound Enhancement and Noise Cancellation systems have been retuned to match the manual. The Nismo also borrows lightweight two-piece iron-aluminum brake rotors from the GT-R, shaving 19 pounds off the front end and improving cooling. Suspension and steering have been retuned for better control.

0-liter V6 remains: 400 horsepower in standard trims, 420 horsepower in the Nismo.