Toyota GR Supra RZ vs Z NISMO comparison pits two of Japan’s most exciting modern sports cars against each other. Both are front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-seaters with 3.0-liter turbocharged engines and a 6-speed manual option. But they chase performance in different ways.
The final Japanese-market Toyota GR Supra RZ makes 387 PS and 500 Nm from its turbocharged inline-six. The Nissan Z NISMO makes 420 PS and 520 Nm from its twin-turbo V6. So if you’re actually thinking about buying one, which makes more sense?
Quick answer: choose the Supra RZ for a compact, balanced feel and a smooth inline-six. Choose the Z NISMO for more power and a more aggressively tuned package.
Same on both cars
- Displacement
- 2,997 cc
- Drive
- FRfront-engine, rear-wheel drive
- Seats
- 2
- Length
- 4,380 mm
- Fuel
- Premium
Toyota’s RZ uses the B58 inline-six, while Nissan’s NISMO uses the VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6. Both displace 2,997 cc.
Engine and Power: The Z NISMO Has the Advantage
In the GR Supra RZ vs Z NISMO engine comparison, this is the easiest difference to understand. The Z NISMO’s 420 PS and 520 Nm give it 33 PS and 20 Nm more than the Supra RZ’s 387 PS and 500 Nm.
Nissan didn’t get there by simply raising boost. The Z NISMO has NISMO-specific turbo boost control and revised electric wastegate control. It also uses cylinder-by-cylinder ignition timing technology developed for the GT-R NISMO’s VR38DETT engine. An additional radiator and high-rigidity engine mounts support the extra output.
The result is an engine that responds more aggressively when you get on the throttle.
Transmission: Both Cars Offer a 6-Speed Manual
The GR Supra RZ vs Z NISMO transmission question is much closer than it used to be. The Supra RZ has long offered a 6-speed manual alongside its 8-speed automatic, and the latest Z NISMO now offers a 6-speed manual too, alongside a 9-speed automatic.
Nissan developed a dedicated short-stroke gearbox for the NISMO, along with a NISMO-specific torque profile that sharpens throttle response and acceleration feel. For drivers who want to be involved rather than just select D, both cars make a strong case.
Chassis, Tires and Brakes
The Supra feels like the smaller car. It measures 4,380 mm long, 1,865 mm wide and 1,295 mm high, on a 2,470-mm wheelbase. The manual RZ weighs 1,520 kg and rides on 255/35ZR19 tires at the front and 275/35ZR19 at the rear.
The Z NISMO has the same length but is slightly wider at 1,870 mm. Nissan gave it its own suspension, braking and aerodynamic development, plus a wider, performance-oriented tire setup. The front brakes use dedicated two-piece drilled rotors, which Nissan says cut unsprung weight by about 9 kg per side and improve turn-in response.
This matters because horsepower isn’t the whole story. Tires, brakes, suspension and aerodynamics decide how much of the engine’s power you can actually use.
Design: Supra or Z?
Design is the most personal part of the GR Supra RZ vs Z NISMO decision.
The Supra is low and compact, with a short rear section and heavily sculpted bodywork. It looks like a modern Japanese sports car with a European influence.
The Z looks back instead. Its long hood, short rear section and styling cues deliberately reference earlier generations of the Fairlady Z. The NISMO adds more aggressive aero parts and the familiar red NISMO details.
Interior and Daily Driving
Neither car is a family car. Both are two-seaters, and the Supra’s compact dimensions make it feel especially built around the driver. The Z has more of a grand-tourer heritage, though the NISMO version pushes it further toward performance. If you drive long distances regularly, the GR Supra RZ vs Z NISMO choice may come down to personal preference more than the spec sheet.
For weekend drives and mountain roads, both deliver what most sports-car fans want: front engine, rear-wheel drive, two seats and a manual option.
Price: GR Supra RZ vs Z NISMO
Neither car is cheap. The Toyota GR Supra RZ costs about ¥8 million, while the Nissan Z NISMO starts at ¥9.7 million.
That puts the Z NISMO roughly ¥1.7 million above the Supra RZ. The NISMO sits at the top of the Fairlady Z lineup, so you’re paying extra for its 420 PS engine, dedicated chassis tuning, upgraded brakes and more aggressive aero. Whether that’s worth it depends on how much you value the extra power and hardware over the Supra’s compact, balanced feel.
GR Supra RZ vs Z NISMO: Which Should You Buy?
Choose the GR Supra RZ if you want
- A compact, driver-focused sports car
- A smooth inline-six with 387 PS and 500 Nm
- A 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic
- The final version of the A90 Supra
Choose the Z NISMO if you want
- More power: 420 PS and 520 Nm from a twin-turbo V6
- NISMO-specific chassis tuning and larger performance hardware
- A more aggressive look
- A 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic
Final Verdict
In the GR Supra RZ vs Z NISMO showdown, the Z NISMO wins on paper for power and performance hardware. But the Supra RZ has its own appeal: a 387-PS inline-six, a compact body and a 6-speed manual make it a serious driver’s car without needing to be the most powerful.
Want a compact, balanced sports car with an inline-six? Look at the Supra RZ. Want more power and a more aggressively tuned package? Look at the Z NISMO. Either way, the manual is still on the menu, and as performance cars move toward electrification and automatic-only drivetrains, that may be the most important thing about both.
Specifications are based on Japanese-market manufacturer information and may vary by model year and specification.