I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car

Benjamin ZhangJun 23, 2024, 18:15 IST

The 2024 Nissan Z PerformanceBenjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Nissan Z is the latest in a long line of iconic sports cars that date back more than 50 years.
I enjoyed the 2024 Nissan Z's twin-turbocharged V6, 6-speed manual gearbox, and retro looks.

Every brand needs a halo product—a car that reminds customers and employees of their origins, values, and goals.

It embodies the soul of that company.

Ford has the Mustang, Mercedes the S-Class, and Porsche the 911.

For Nissan, with the GT-R supercar headed for retirement after a 17-year run, that job will be left to the Fairlady Z, known in America simply as the Z.

The current Nissan Z launched in 2023 with more power and tech than the 370Z it succeeded.

I recently spent a week driving a 2024 Nissan Z Performance around the streets of Atlanta and the winding roads of the Appalachian foothills.

The 2024 Nissan Z.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My Nissan Z Performance test car costs $55,110.

The 2024 Nissan Z Performance.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Z's history in the US dates back to 1970 when the S30 Fairlady Z went on sale as the Datsun 240Z.

A 1970 Datsun 240Z.Nissan

The Z's long hood and sloping rear in signature elements of the classic Z-Car look.

The 2024 Nissan Z Performance.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Z's angular front facia, and slightly recessed LED headlights also harken back to the 240Z.

The 2024 Nissan Z.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Out back, the sloping roofline merges into the decklid spoiler.

The 2024 Nissan Z.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came with these dark gray RAYS 19-inch lightweight forged aluminum alloy wheels.

The Z's 19-inch alloys.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

One of the Z's standout features is a 6-speed manual transmission.

The 6-speed manual.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Unlike past iterations, this Z has an electric power steering instead of the traditional hydraulic system.

The Z's steering wheel.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Z is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

The Z's twin-turbo V6.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Nissan Z was an absolute blast to drive.

The Nissan Z's cabin.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Inside, the Z's cabin is cozy with room for two.

The Z's front dash.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Sitting atop the dash is a set of three analog gauges.

Analog gauges.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a Z-branded steering wheel and a large 12.3-inch digital instrument display.

The driver's seat.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Z is equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

The infotainment screen.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

While the screen quality is excellent, the image quality of the backup camera was not.

The rearview camera.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Tucked away under the infotainment screen are the climate control knobs.

The climate controls.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The ghastly blue leather and artificial suede seats were well-padded and supportive.

The Nissan's Z's blue seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Behind the passenger cabin is large but shallow cargo area.

The cargo area.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

You access the cargo area by opening the large rear hatch.

The 2024 Nissan Z.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My Verdict: It's impossible not to like the Nissan Z.

A 2024 Nissan Z Performance.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

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I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car

I recently spent a week driving a 2024 Nissan Z Performance around the streets of Atlanta and the winding roads of the Appalachian foothills.

My Nissan Z Performance test car costs $55,110.

The Z's history in the US dates back to 1970 when the S30 Fairlady Z went on sale as the Datsun 240Z.

The Z's long hood and sloping rear in signature elements of the classic Z-Car look.

The Z's angular front facia, and slightly recessed LED headlights also harken back to the 240Z.

Out back, the sloping roofline merges into the decklid spoiler.

My test car came with these dark gray RAYS 19-inch lightweight forged aluminum alloy wheels.

One of the Z's standout features is a 6-speed manual transmission.

Unlike past iterations, this Z has an electric power steering instead of the traditional hydraulic system.

The Z is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

The Nissan Z was an absolute blast to drive.

Inside, the Z's cabin is cozy with room for two.

Sitting atop the dash is a set of three analog gauges.

In front of the driver is a Z-branded steering wheel and a large 12.3-inch digital instrument display.

The Z is equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

While the screen quality is excellent, the image quality of the backup camera was not.

Tucked away under the infotainment screen are the climate control knobs.

The ghastly blue leather and artificial suede seats were well-padded and supportive.

Behind the passenger cabin is large but shallow cargo area.

You access the cargo area by opening the large rear hatch.

My Verdict: It's impossible not to like the Nissan Z.