The road test pits the 2027 Nissan Z NISMO against the Toyota Supra Final Edition to see which manual-driven sports car feels more engaging on a real-world track.
Mechanical upgrades and power output
Both machines share a tighter suspension setup, firmer bushings, lighter 19-inch wheels and larger brakes, which together improve handling precision and reduce unsprung weight. Yet the Nissan model adds an enlarged grille, a set of aerodynamic panels and a distinctive red stripe that runs along the rocker panel, giving it a more aggressive visual stance. It also brings back a six-speed manual gearbox, marking the first time the 2027 version offers that transmission option.
The twin-turbo V-6 installed in the Nissan produces 420 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, representing a gain of 20 hp and 34 lb-ft over the standard Z configuration. This power level noticeably exceeds the output of the Toyota.
Performance figures on the strip
In 0-60 mph runs, the Toyota reaches the mark in 4.1 seconds, making it the quickest manual-transmission Supra ever recorded in independent testing. The Nissan posts a time of 4.7 seconds, a respectable figure for a car of its weight and power. Its automatic counterpart still edges ahead at 4.2 seconds.
Quarter-mile times favor the Japanese model, completing the run in 12.5 seconds at a terminal speed of 114.1 mph, compared with the Nissan’s 13.2 seconds at 108.0 mph.
Braking from 60 mph to a stop measures 106 feet for the Toyota and 107 feet for the Nissan, a marginal difference that falls within typical testing variance. Both cars require 294 feet to halt from 100 mph, indicating that the larger brake discs and upgraded calipers on each model provide comparable stopping power at high speed.
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On the skidpad the Toyota averages 1.04 g, just ahead of the Nissan’s 1.03 g. The figure-eight lap shows a larger gap: 23.8 seconds at 0.85 g for the Toyota versus 24.2 seconds at 0.81 g for its rival, highlighting the Supra’s slightly sharper turn-in and better weight transfer during rapid direction changes.
Practical considerations
Cargo volume favors the Toyota by roughly 47 percent on paper, yet the Nissan’s near-square hatch opening makes loading easier than the Toyota’s narrower, hourglass-shaped hatch, which can be a decisive factor for owners who need to transport luggage or gear.
Inside, the Nissan feels more spacious, though both offer similar head- and legroom for driver and passenger. Its Recaro bucket seats require manual knobs for adjustment, while the Toyota’s seats use simpler lever-type controls; additionally, the Nissan provides more usable cabin storage, including a deeper center console and additional cup-holder slots.
Technology is modest in both vehicles. The Toyota retains an older BMW-sourced infotainment system with a small touchscreen, whereas the Nissan uses larger screens with a basic interface, albeit with slightly grainy resolution. Adaptive cruise control comes standard on the Nissan, a feature that remains unavailable on manual-equipped Toyota models.
Fuel consumption is better in the Toyota, yet the Nissan’s larger fuel tank grants a longer driving range, an advantage for longer trips where fewer refueling stops are desirable.