EVOLUTION OF Z REVOLUTION

How Nissan reinvented the smart, soulful sports car.

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For over 50 years, the Zhas been Nissan's charming, if slightly under-the-radar, answer to American muscle: a two-seat, V6-powered, rear-wheel-drive sports car with a sticker price targeting the Everyman. It's a niche, for sure. When the Z is mentioned in a car-shopping scenario it's often with an "oh yeah," as in, "Oh yeah, I forgot about the Z." F

Spend some seat time in the heavily revised 2023 model and you won't have that problem. It's faster, more daily-drivable and better looking than the outgoing 370Z. Recently, a $53,610 '23 Performance model showed up on my driveway. Within minutes, I had the Bridgestone tires barking, inadvertently, on a run to pick up a couple pies. Though Nissan designed the Z for track day use, wringing fun out of a mundane pizza run seems a more common-use case.