High horsepower used to come with a high price tag, especially in the world of performance cars. Reaching the 400-horsepower mark typically meant stepping into premium territory, where sports cars quickly became expensive to buy and own. In 2026, however, one model is breaking that pattern by delivering serious performance at a price point far lower than expected.
Rather than positioning it as an unattainable halo car, Ford has made 400 horsepower accessible to a much wider audience. This sports car combines strong straight-line speed with everyday usability, offering the kind of performance that was once reserved for far more expensive machines, all without sacrificing modern tech or comfort.
For enthusiasts looking for maximum performance per dollar, this shift is significant. It proves that you no longer need to spend a fortune to access genuinely quick acceleration and engaging driving dynamics, making high-horsepower performance more attainable than ever before.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites, including the EPA.
This 472-HP American super sedan outruns sports cars
This 472-HP American super sedan outruns sports cars
Nissan’s Z gets overlooked, but it packs a whallop for the price you pay
400 horsepower for less than $45k
The Z did not return with the same kind of fanfare that the likes of the GR Supra got. In fact, there was a lot of skepticism surrounding it. Some slightly mediocre reviews were enough to convince people that it wasn’t worth looking at. However, with a 400 horsepower twin-turbo V-6 under the hood and a palatable starting price, we actually think it is one of the best budget sports cars on the market.
2026 Nissan Z trims and pricing
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
Sport |
$42,970 |
|
Performance |
$52,970 |
|
Heritage |
$55,910 |
|
NISMO |
$65,750 |
It’s hard to believe that the Z actually starts as low as it does, given how much power it puts down. The comparable GR Supra, which is currently set to be discontinued, starts closer to $60,000 and makes 382 horsepower. Yes, there are arguments that it isn’t as sharp as some of its rivals, but we think it delivers exactly the level of excitement and usability that the average sports car buyer is looking for at this price point.
We think the two best choices when it comes to trims are the Sport and the Performance. If you’re looking for a simple sports car that will sound good, look good, and feel good from behind the wheel, but you’re not in it for corner carving performance, the Sport satisfy plenty. However, enthusiasts will find that the extra kit on the Performance model is worth the extra money. You get a limited-slip differential, summer tires, a firmer suspension tune, and upgraded brakes.
Muscle car rivals come close
The closest rivals to the Nissan Z in terms of horsepower per dollar are actually American muscle cars. One such rival is the newly redesigned Dodge Charger, which comes with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six that makes 420 horsepower. Two-door models can be had from $49,995. Alternatively, you can get a new Ford Mustang GT for as little as $46,560, coming fitted with a 5.0-liter V-8 that puts down a whopping 480 horsepower.
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The Z is a softer sports car that focuses on the experience
One of the best beginner sports cars out there
The biggest criticism against the Z is that it isn’t as precise or agile as its most direct rivals. While this is a very valid critique, we still think it leaves the Z with a good position within the market. Some sports car buyers will be able to drive cars to their ceiling in terms of performance, but most can’t, or simply don’t want to. If you’re in the latter category, and you’re just looking for something fun, the Z delivers when it comes to smiles per gallon.
2026 Nissan Z performance
- Base Trim Engine
-
3L VR V6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
9-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
400 HP @6400 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
350 lb.-ft. @ 1600 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
19/28/22 MPG
- Make
-
Nissan
- Model
-
Z
- Segment
-
Sports Car
Every 2026 Nissan Z comes equipped with a twin-turbocharged V-6 under the hood. Most models make 400 horsepower, but the NISMO model kicks that up to 420 horses instead. Nissan offers a standard six-speed manual transmission, but you can also up for a pretty great nine-speed automatic instead. The NISMO only comes with the automatic, though that is slated to change next year.
Most Zs are actually pretty fantastic daily-driving sports cars. They handle well in most scenarios and find a good balance between ride and agility. It is only right up at its limit that it really begins to falter, with rivals feeling more composed. The NISMO model corrects this, but becomes a track-only machine, with its stiff suspension being far too harsh to endure on a day-to-day basis.
The Z feels more focused on delivering a fun experience to the average driver, rather than catering to the top one percent of drivers. Its manual transmission is satisfying to use, it is quick off the line, and it’s twin-turbo V-6 sounds fantastic. Unless you’re looking for a car you’re going to track, you’re not really going to walk away disappointed.
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Inside, Nissan mixes retro vibes with upscale materials and modern technology
Stylish and fitted with all the features you’d need
Nissan clearly adopted the old saying, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. The current iteration of the Z clearly takes inspiration from the models that came before it. This retro feel is a common theme throughout the car, from the blocky tail lights to the gauges mounted on top of the dashboard. While this rubs some people the wrong way, it has really come to grow on us. This is especially true on the inside, where the Z actually feels more premium than you’d expect given the price you pay.
Interior dimensions and comfort
|
Front row headroom |
38.2 inches |
|---|---|
|
Front row legroom |
42.9 inches |
The Z is a true sports car, only coming equipped with two seats instead of four. Space on the inside is about what you would expect from a performance-oriented coupe. However, it is worth noting that there is enough headroom on offer that tall drivers aren’t going to feel squished. The trunk isn’t going to surprise you with how spacious it is, but there is enough room for a couple of weekend bags.
From the driver’s seat, the Z feels like a sports car from a different era. Yes, there are screens here that somewhat detract from that, but everything else about the design throws you back in time. Nissan also offers plenty of premium features that help give the coupe an upscale feel, including soft-touch materials on most surfaces, multi-zone automatic climate control, and Alcantara upholstery.
Infotainment and technology
Just because it is retro, doesn’t mean you lose out when it comes to technology. The Z comes fitted with a standard 12.3-inch digital gauge display and an eight-inch infotainment screen, though Performance trims and up get a nine-inch screen instead. We appreciate that Nissan has gone for a more traditional layout, rather than the massive single-pane, dual-screen setups we see dominating the dashboards of many modern cars.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every model, though you need the larger screen for it to be wireless. The larger unit is also the only way to get an on-board Wi-Fi hotspot, though that seems a little redundant in a two-seater sports car. A reasonable six-speaker stereo is standard, with a fantastic Bose system being optional.
Not the sharpest, but a ton of fun at a reasonable price
There is a lot of compromise when it comes to the Z. It isn’t the fastest in a straight line, or around a track, and it just doesn’t hold its own at its limit like some of its rivals do. However, that compromise isn’t really a bad thing here. Getting a two-door coupe with rear-wheel drive and a 400-horsepower twin-turbo V-6 for less than $45,000 is a fantastic deal. It might not impress drivers who hit the track every weekend, but your average buyer is going to have tons of fun behind the wheel.
