The Z Nismo Delivers More Than Expected

When the opportunity arose to spend some serious miles behind the wheel of the Nissan Z Nismo, we were not entirely sure what to expect. We are fortunate enough to spend countless hours driving all kinds of sports and supercars on sale in Canada today, but never a Nismo.

Upon first glance, the car’s road presence immediately struck us. The Stealth Grey paint paired with red accents commands attention wherever it goes, even among relative supercars.

The first thing our members noticed within seconds of climbing inside was the factory Recaro bucket seats. The balance between comfort and support is remarkable. In a time when many manufacturers overcompensate with overly stiff seats, Nissan and Recaro have absolutely nailed it. Combined with an excellent driving position, many members found themselves rethinking their opinions before the car had even moved.

We managed to cover just over 1,000 km in the Nismo Z, taking it on one of our favourite drives through Muskoka to catch the fall colours and test its capabilities. On the way there, we were instantly taken aback by its performance. Do not be fooled by modern supercar numbers; 420 horsepower in this platform is more than enough.

As the roads began to twist ahead, the Nismo truly came alive. After no more than 20 kilometres, Matt remarked, “I’m not sure what the Nismo wizards did to this suspension, but I need to give them a call.” The car felt incredibly composed and planted, with braking performance that further inspired confidence.

With all modern cars, weight is always at the back of our minds. Yet, we struggled to find moments where the Nismo’s weight truly showed. Only a few of the tightest off-camber Muskoka corners provoked a hint of understeer, a small reminder that even compliance has limits.

Overall, we were genuinely surprised by just how much both we and our members enjoyed this car. With units currently available at dealerships, we strongly recommend experiencing the Nismo Z firsthand before forming any opinions about it. Thank you to the wonderful Nissan Canada Team for this opportunity.