The New Nissan Z is a Huge Threat to the Toyota Supra
On paper, the upcoming Nissan Z seems to make the GR Supra a much tougher sell. Let's compare what we know about them!
For the Sake of Transparency...
I want to start this article off by saying that I am not a "MK 5 Supra hater." In contrast, the 2021 Supra is currently the number one candidate for my next daily driver. I have driven it quite a few times, and I really think it is a fantastic car.
It also goes without saying that I have not yet driven the new Nissan Z. Any assumptions about the driving experience of the Nissan Z is purely speculative.
With that out of the way, we can jump into the article.
The 2023 Nissan Z
*Image courtesy of Nissa
You would have to be living under a rock to have not heard about the announcement of the upcoming Nissan Z. It is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated cars in recent memory. Considering that the 370Z has been around now for 11 years, it is about time we have a replacement.
As of now, the 2023 Z will be releasing in the United States in the Spring of 2022. It will feature a 3.0 Twin Turbo V6 (the same one that is in the Infinity Q60) that puts out almost 400hp, it will come standard with a 6-speed manual, and it will start at around $40,000. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much hope for the Z coming to Europe, at least at the moment.
Let's Start with the Price
*Image courtesy of Nissan
Nissan made it a point to price the new Z at the same price as the Zs of yesteryear, as long as you take inflation into account. For that reason, it will be starting at a pretty reasonable and attainable $40,000. While forty grand is by no means "cheap," it is certainly the first strong blow to the Supra.
For a comparable Supra with the BMW-derived turbo I6, you will be shelling out over 50 grand. The lesser-spec Supra, with only a lowly four-cylinder, also starts at a higher price of around $43,000.
It is important to remember that we are talking about starting prices and that both cars have lots of available options that will drive that price up. Even still, it is hard to ignore a ten thousand dollar price deficit. You could get some sweet deviated stitching in a new 911 for that much.
The base 2.0 Supra *Image courtesy of Toyota
The Battle of the 6 Cylinders
Even though we just established that the four-cylinder Supra seems to be the closest match for the Nissan Z as far as price goes, from here on we will be comparing apples to apples, V6 to I6.
When it was announced, the Supra came under some heavy fire for sharing a platform with the BMW Z4. This is something it has had trouble living down even more than 2 years later. Regardless of what JDM fans think, the I6 engine is actually quite good. The one in the 2021 is rated at 382hp and 368 lb-ft of torque.
*Image courtesy of Toyota
In comparison, the Z has a healthy 400hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. This makes it a very close match-up between the two. It is worth noting that most sites do not specify whether or not this is crank or wheel horsepower.
A small ace up the Supra's sleeve is that it has been discovered that many of the GR Supras make more horsepower than advertised. Car and Driver tested a 2021 Supra on a Dyno and found that it made 388 horsepower and over 400 lb-ft of torque TO THE WHEELS.
Until we see dyno results for the Z, it is pretty tough to declare a winner here. However, I am going to give the Supra a slight spiritual victory because of its strong dyno numbers, especially torque.
*Josh Roe- Car and Driver
As far as performance is concerned, we don't know any exacts on the Nissan Z. However, Nissan has stated that the new Z will be 15% quicker to 60. The current 370Z goes from 0-60 in about 5 seconds, meaning that the next Z will probably hit 60 in somewhere around 4.25 seconds. This is a little bit slower than the Supra, which hits 60 in just 3.9 seconds.
Again, the Z's performance figures are not official and are speculative with the power of maths. Until we get some definite numbers, we will chalk this as a win for the Supra.
The Z's Not-So-Secret Weapon
*Image courtesy of Nissan
By far the biggest and most exciting news about the 2023 Nissan Z is the fact that it comes standard with a 6-speed manual. You heard that right. Even in 2021, where the largest portion of buyers want self-driving crossovers, Nissan has made a performance car with a 6-speed manual.
The 2023 Z's gear lever *Josh Roe- Car and Driver
It is this feature alone that makes the Z stand out miles above the GR Supra.
One of the biggest disappointments of the Supra was that it would only be available in an automatic transmission. While the 8-speed auto did actually turn out to be quite good, many still believe that Toyota's failure to give the Supra a third pedal held back the car from its true potential.
The GR Supra's automatic gear selector
Car enthusiasts yearn for the connection that a manual transmission gives them to the car. It makes it more fun, which is the point of a sports car. Yes, the auto is faster than a manual would be, and the Z will also be available with one. A 9-speed one. But the Nissan Z has without a doubt filled a void that until now has been empty, completely putting the GR Supra on notice.
Looks
I was going to try to have a section here on looks, but I think it is safe to call it a draw for these cars. Looks are subjective, and I think both cars look spectacular, therefore I am leaving this for you to decide.
This Can Only Be Good For Us
*Toyota
Regardless of which car is better, competition like this is only good for the consumer. The strengths of the Nissan Z represent areas where Toyota can improve the Supra.
Toyota will without a doubt need to improve pricing. It is certainly not a good look that the Z costs about as much as the base 4-cylinder version of the Supra.
The most exciting thing about the battle between the Z and the Supra is that it could finally push Toyota to grace car enthusiasts with what we have been begging for:
A 3 pedal, 6-speed, GR Supra.
Join In
Comments (8)
I love both, but the z does it for me
I have to say that the Z takes the cake, the V6TT will always sound better than an I6TT for Japanese cars even though the supras got a German engine
I just realized I said the Supra has a V6. Gotta correct that
Disagree.
Even though the Supra is mostly a BMW, it is guranteed to be far more reliable than the current crop of Nissans.
Particulalry if the Nissans have JATCO gearbox.
Nissans have sold out to Renault, and Renaults are not exactly known for their teriffic reliability.
Had it been the old Nissan/Datsun, then I would say, yes, the Datsun is a better car.
I haven't driven either, but I would wager that the Supra is more pleasant to drive and enjoy.
It won’t be a huge threat in the UK because we aren’t getting it 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Not like the 370Z sold that well in the first place either
Yes... destroy the supra