2027 Nissan Z: The Ultimate Open Road Sports Car
2027 Nissan Z: The Ultimate Open Road Sports Car
Posted on June 23, 2026
The 2027 Nissan Z is the sharpest version of the seventh-generation sports car yet, and for Ontario drivers who spend summer weekends on open roads, it arrives with exactly the changes that matter. Three trims cover a wide range of ambitions: Sport, Performance, and a track-ready NISMO that now puts a six-speed manual with an upgraded clutch in your hands.
The NISMO’s manual transmission was engineered specifically for that grade, with a shorter shift stroke for quicker, more solid gear changes and manual-specific throttle and ignition tuning that sharpens throttle response and sustains torque delivery. That is the defining addition for 2027.
Why Rear-Wheel Drive and a Revised Chassis Make the Z the Right Summer Car
Every 2027 Nissan Z uses a mid-mounted front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout: the configuration that keeps a driver most connected to the road. At its lightest, the Sport MT tips the scales at 3,486 lbs, keeping the chassis responses direct and honest.
All three trims receive a new fuel tank design that keeps fuel levels consistent around the fuel pump during high-G cornering. On Ontario’s winding back roads and extended highway sweepers, that means the engine holds its power delivery without interruption through sustained corners at speed.
The Sport and Performance trims wear a restyled front bumper and grille inspired by classic Nissan sports cars. The bumper shaping and internal ducting reduce aerodynamic lift and drag while optimizing cooling airflow: real stability benefits at cruising speed, not just a visual refresh.
The Engineering Behind Each Trim’s Open-Road Capability
The Sport and Performance both produce 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque from the twin-turbo 3.0L V6. The NISMO version of the same engine is tuned to 420 hp and 384 lb-ft, with the additional torque arriving over a broader rev range (2,000 to 5,200 rpm) to support the manual transmission’s power delivery.
The Z Performance gains larger-diameter monotube shock absorbers over the Sport, improving vibration dampening and making handling more predictable. A mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential is standard on Performance and NISMO but not available on Sport. SynchroRev Match, which blips the throttle automatically on manual downshifts, is also standard on Performance and NISMO with the six-speed.
The NISMO’s front brakes use a two-piece iron-aluminum rotor derived from the GT-R, with cooling channels that reduce brake pad temperatures during sustained track use. The lightweight construction saves 19 lbs at the front axle, and the NISMO’s suspension was retuned to account for that reduction. Steering rack revisions reduce internal friction by 20%, giving the car a more fluid cornering feel that needs fewer corrections.
The Bose 8-speaker system with Active Sound Enhancement and Active Noise Cancellation is standard on Performance and NISMO. For 2027, both systems are retuned specifically for the manual transmission, amplifying intake and exhaust tones in Sport mode. The Sport trim uses a 6-speaker Nissan audio system.
| Feature | Sport | Performance | NISMO |
| Horsepower / Torque | 400 hp / 350 lb-ft | 400 hp / 350 lb-ft | 420 hp / 384 lb-ft |
| 6-speed manual | Standard | Standard | Standard (upgraded clutch) |
| 9-speed automatic | Optional | Optional | Optional (NISMO-tuned) |
| Mechanical LSD | Not available | Standard | Standard |
| Larger-diameter shocks | No | Standard | NISMO-tuned |
| GT-R-derived brakes | No | No | Standard |
| NISMO Recaro seats | No | No | Standard |
| Wireless Qi2 charger | No | Standard | Standard |
| Bose audio / ASE / ANC | No | Standard | Standard |
Which Z Trim Fits Your Summer Plans
Z Sport is the entry point for anyone who wants the rear-wheel-drive sports car experience and the refreshed exterior without paying for features they won’t use on the road. The six-speed manual is standard, and the restyled front end arrives at this grade. What the Sport gives up: the mechanical LSD, the larger shock absorbers, SynchroRev Match, heated seats, and the Qi2 wireless charger. For a driver who wants the fundamentals and not the extras, that is a reasonable trade.
Z Performance earns its place for drivers who want a more capable back-road car without moving into full NISMO territory. The larger monotube shocks, mechanical LSD, and SynchroRev Match make a tangible difference on winding roads. Forged 19-inch wheels with a machined-finish rim, heated seats, and the Qi2 wireless charger (with a cooling fan and magnetic alignment for compatible devices) add comfort and convenience on longer trips.
The tan interior upholstery option, covering the seats, lower door panels, centre console, and dashboard, is exclusive to Performance. The new Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic paint, paired with a Super Black roof, is available on Sport and Performance; it is not offered on the NISMO.
Z NISMO is for the driver who wants the factory’s most track-capable Z. The upgraded clutch, shorter shift stroke, GT-R-derived brakes, 420 hp, 20% reduction in steering rack friction, and NISMO-exclusive Recaro seats in leather and Alcantara all serve a driver who is committed to getting the most out of every corner. The NISMO-exclusive red anodized engine start and Drive Mode buttons and exclusive TFT metre graphics are intentional, not incidental. Drivers who don’t consistently use a car at its limit will likely find the Performance a better fit.
Take the 2027 Nissan Z Out for a Summer Drive
The 2027 Nissan Z lineup brings GT-R-derived brakes and an upgraded manual to the NISMO, larger shock absorbers and a mechanical LSD to the Performance, and a new fuel tank design across all three trims: a focused set of changes that make the Z more capable on the roads where it belongs.
Visit Kitchener Nissan in Kitchener to explore the Sport, Performance, and NISMO trims in person and book a test drive to find the grade that fits your summer.