Few badges in automotive history hold the same weight as Nissan’s Z. Since the original 240Z broke cover in 1969, the Z series has stood for affordable performance, timeless design, and driver-focused fun. With the 2025 Nissan Z, Nissan brings that heritage roaring into the present day—a modern interpretation of a classic sports coupe, infused with turbocharged muscle and high-tech features, yet still wearing its retro-inspired heart on its sleeve.
For Australian buyers, the Nissan Z isn’t just another sports car. It’s an icon reborn, offering a rare blend of nostalgic style and cutting-edge engineering, aimed squarely at enthusiasts who want thrills without stepping into six-figure price territory. In a market dominated by SUVs and electrification, the Z stands out like a rare jewel—an unashamedly petrol-powered coupe designed to make driving exciting again.
Exterior Design: Retro Meets Modern
At first glance, the 2025 Nissan Z is a rolling homage to its predecessors. Its design DNA stretches back more than five decades, yet nothing about it feels dated. Instead, Nissan’s design team has merged cues from the 240Z, 280ZX, and 300ZX into a sleek, modern coupe.
Front Fascia: The rectangular grille and long, sculpted bonnet are a clear nod to the 240Z. The LED headlights, shaped like half-circles, draw inspiration from the 240Z’s iconic lamps but use modern LED matrix tech.
Profile: The proportions scream classic coupe—long bonnet, short overhangs, muscular rear haunches, and a set-back cabin. It’s a silhouette instantly familiar to Z fans.
Rear Styling: The rear light bar echoes the 300ZX of the ’90s, with horizontal LED strips giving it a sharp, futuristic look. A ducktail-style boot lip and dual exhausts complete the picture.
Colour Palette: Nissan offers vibrant hues, including the signature Ikazuchi Yellow and Seiran Blue, paired with contrasting black roofs. These heritage-inspired shades highlight the car’s retro appeal while giving it a youthful energy.
On Australian roads, where most cars are crossovers in muted colours, the Z is designed to turn heads and spark conversations.
Engine and Performance: Twin-Turbo Thrills
The heart of the 2025 Nissan Z is its 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine (code: VR30DDTT), borrowed from the Infiniti Red Sport models and refined for Z duty.
Power Output: 298 kW (400 hp) and 475 Nm of torque.
Transmission Choices: A six-speed manual (with rev-matching tech) for purists, or a nine-speed automatic with paddle shifters for those who want ease in traffic.
0–100 km/h Time: Around 4.5 seconds, making it one of the quickest sports coupes under $100K in Australia.
Rear-Wheel Drive: True to its heritage, all Z models send power to the rear wheels, ensuring a playful, driver-focused feel.
Nissan has tuned the turbos for instant response, giving the Z a muscular mid-range punch. Whether blasting down a freeway on-ramp or carving through country B-roads, the engine feels alive, always ready to deliver a surge of torque.
Driving Dynamics: Balanced Fun
Sports coupes live or die by how they handle, and the 2025 Nissan Z is engineered to deliver pure driving enjoyment.
Chassis: Built on an evolution of the 370Z platform, but significantly stiffened for better handling.
Suspension: Double-wishbone front and multi-link rear setup with performance-tuned dampers for sharper responses.
Steering: Quick-ratio electric power steering gives precision in corners and stability at high speeds.
Brakes: Large disc brakes with available performance calipers offer strong, fade-resistant stopping power.
Grip: Standard limited-slip differential ensures traction when pushing hard out of corners.
On a winding road, the Z feels planted but playful. It’s not overly clinical like some German rivals; instead, it embraces a slightly raw, engaging character. The rear-drive balance means you can feel the car rotating beneath you—a throwback to what sports cars used to be about.
Interior: Retro Touches, Modern Comfort
Step inside the 2025 Nissan Z, and you’ll find a cabin that bridges old-school driver focus with modern luxury.
Dashboard Design: Three analogue-style gauges atop the dash (turbo boost, voltage, turbo speed) pay tribute to classic Z cars.
Infotainment: A modern 12.3-inch digital driver display and an 8–9-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility.
Seating: Supportive sports seats with suede and leather upholstery, designed to hold you in place during spirited driving but comfortable enough for longer journeys.
Materials: High-quality soft-touch surfaces, aluminium accents, and optional two-tone colour schemes.
Driver Focus: All controls angled slightly toward the driver, reinforcing the Z’s role as a driver’s car.
Despite its sporting intentions, the Z doesn’t skimp on daily usability. Climate control, smartphone integration, and a premium sound system make it easy to live with.
Technology & Features
The Z may wear retro clothes, but its tech is all modern.
Connectivity: Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming, and multiple USB ports.
Driver Assistance: Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and emergency braking.
Performance Enhancements: Drive modes adjust throttle response, steering feel, and transmission mapping.
Digital Gauges: Customisable layouts for road or track use, including a central tachometer for enthusiasts.
This balance of heritage styling with cutting-edge technology ensures the Z appeals to both old-school purists and modern buyers.
Practicality: Everyday Usability
While no one buys a sports coupe for practicality, the Nissan Z still surprises with a dose of usability.
Boot Space: Around 240 litres—enough for a weekend bag or two carry-ons.
Cabin Storage: Cup holders, door pockets, and a decent glovebox add daily convenience.
Ride Comfort: While firm, the suspension is tuned to cope with Australian roads without being harsh.
Fuel Economy: Claimed combined figure of ~10 L/100 km. Real-world figures will depend on how hard you drive, but for its performance class, it’s competitive.
Safety Ratings
Though official ANCAP ratings for the 2025 Z are pending, the car includes a full suite of safety features:
Six airbags
Advanced stability control
Traction control systems
Autonomous emergency braking
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear-view camera
While safety may not be the headline feature of a performance coupe, the Z’s technology gives peace of mind without dulling its spirit.
How It Compares: Rivals in Australia
In the Australian market, the Nissan Z competes with a select group of performance coupes.
Toyota GR Supra: Shares similar performance numbers but carries BMW DNA under its skin. The Z feels more “authentically Japanese.”
Ford Mustang GT: Offers V8 grunt and muscle-car character, but is larger and less refined.
BMW 2 Series (M240i): More luxurious inside, but far pricier once options are added.
Porsche Cayman (718): Sharper to drive, but significantly more expensive.
The Z occupies a sweet spot: serious performance, distinctive styling, and relative affordability.
Australian Market: Pricing and Availability
The 2025 Nissan Z is expected to be priced between $75,000 and $85,000 drive-away in Australia, depending on trim and options. This positions it as a more accessible performance car compared to European rivals, while offering far more excitement than hot hatches in the same price bracket.
Demand is likely to be high. Limited supply of sports coupes in Australia means the Z will attract enthusiasts quickly, especially those who missed out on previous generations.
Ownership, Insurance & Running Costs
Warranty: Nissan Australia typically offers a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, and the Z should be no different.
Servicing: Scheduled service intervals at 10,000–15,000 km, with capped-price servicing likely.
Insurance: As a high-performance coupe, premiums will be higher than average, but still manageable compared to European alternatives.
Resale Value: Thanks to its heritage appeal, the Z is likely to hold value better than some mainstream rivals.
Enthusiast Appeal: The Soul of the Z
What makes the Z so special isn’t just numbers—it’s soul. From the way the turbocharged engine snarls under load, to the tactile manual gearbox, to the way the bodywork pays tribute to its ancestors, this is a car built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.
In an age where cars are increasingly automated, electrified, and homogenised, the Nissan Z feels refreshingly raw. It connects driver to road in a way that few modern cars manage. That, ultimately, is why it matters.
Future Outlook: Will There Be an Electric Z?
The automotive industry is shifting rapidly toward electrification, and Nissan is at the forefront with models like the Leaf and Ariya. For now, though, the Z remains proudly petrol-powered.
There is speculation that a hybrid or EV Z could arrive in the next decade, keeping the name alive in a new era. But until then, the 2025 Nissan Z represents a glorious last hurrah for the traditional sports coupe formula.
Conclusion: Why the 2025 Nissan Z Matters
The 2025 Nissan Z isn’t just a new sports coupe—it’s a celebration of everything driving enthusiasts love: timeless design, turbocharged power, rear-wheel-drive fun, and modern features that don’t dilute the raw experience.
For Australians, it offers a unique alternative in a market where SUVs dominate. It’s not the cheapest, nor the most practical—but it is one of the most exciting. Whether you’re a lifelong Z devotee or a newcomer seeking thrills, the new Z delivers a compelling mix of heritage, performance, and everyday usability that makes it one of the standout cars of 2025.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
