Almost everyone is excited about the new Nissan Z. The 370Z debuted in 2009 and went on sale until 2020 – without any major updates. While it was still a great car, it was showing its age quite blatantly.
The new Z is a new version of the Nissan sports car and from what we have learned, it will be quite good. Borrow the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, the Z will make the same 400 hp. The biggest difference is that the Z will be rear-wheel-drive only and won’t have the ability to power all wheels. The Nissan Z’s transmissions have already been confirmed to be either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed automatic. While everything about the Nissan Z is brand new, it still has the same DNA as the older Z cars. The overall design is very reminiscent of the original 300ZX and 240Z, while the proportions stay true to the newer 350Z and 370Z .
While there is very little doubt that the new Nissan Z would be a great sports car, there are alternatives for anyone who wants the same level of performance and engagement – especially in the $40,000-$50,000 price bracket that the Nissan Z will most likely cost. With that, here are 5 sports cars and 5 sports sedans that we would have preferred to the new Nissan Z.
ten Sports coupe – Toyota Supra
The Toyota Supra is one of the most popular sports coupes on the planet, thanks to its enormous tuning potential and spare parts. The current A90 Toyota Supra debuted in 2020 and has since received mixed reviews, mostly related to ergonomics.
The Supra is available with a choice of a 2.0-liter turbocharged i4 or a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six. Starting later in the 2022 model year, the 3.0-liter will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission, but an 8-speed automatic is the standard option.
9 Sports coupe – BMW M240i
The The BMW M240i is the smallest sports car offering from the German brand. It’s powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six — the same as the Toyota Supra — and produces 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. BMW recently updated the options for the M240i and the range now includes a non-xDrive variant.
The only transmission option available is the 8-speed torque-converter automatic, which is a bit of a shame as the M240i is a great sports car, and having it with a manual would greatly increase the level of driver involvement. driver. Hopefully the next M2 will have a manual.
8 Sports coupe – Lexus RC 350
The Lexus RC 350 is the intermediate offer of the Lexus RC range and is equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6. The engine powers the rear wheels as standard, but all-wheel drive is available as an option. The V6 produces 315 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, all mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Lexus RC was first and foremost designed for luxury and comfort, but sportiness was also part of the equation, especially to compete with the BMW 440i Coupe and Audi A5 Coupe. The Lexus RC has been around since 2014 now, but it’s still a great option for anyone looking for a sports coupe.
seven Sports coupe – Ford Mustang GT
The The Ford Mustang GT has always been the more affordable option when you’re looking for a muscle car, but thanks to the vastly improved sixth generation, the Mustang has become more of a sports car than a true muscle car.
That doesn’t mean he’s lost his muscle car spirit, though. The GT is still powered by a 5.0-liter V8, producing 450 hp and 410 lb-ft in the less powerful version, going up to 480 hp in the Mach-1 version. The Mustang GT starts at around $39,000 and goes up to $58,000 for the Mach-1.
6 Sport Coupe – Chevrolet Camaro SS
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Like the Ford Mustang GT, the Chevrolet Camaro has become more of a sports car than a muscle car. It is available with a choice of engines – from a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 to a 3.6-liter V6 and a 6.2-liter V8. Transmission choices include either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic.
The powers start from 250 hp in the 4-cylinder, to the 335 hp V6 and end with a 455 hp V8. The Camaro starts at around $25,000 and ends around $45,000 for the top-tier SS. The Camaro SS is a great sports car and a great alternative to the Japanese and German choices.
5 Sports sedan – Kia Stinger GT
Sport coupes aren’t the only choices available when looking for an alternative to the Nissan Z. Sport sedans offer the same power and driving experience as the sport coupe, but add practicality and interior space. One of the best entry-level sports sedans is the Kia Stinger GT.
Equipped with a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 that develops 368 horsepower and 376 lb-ft, the Stinger GT is a pretty good and reliable sedan. It can even be equipped with all-wheel drive for those who need it. Kia recently updated the Stinger with new wheels and a slight facelift, but at $45,000 the Stinger GT is a bargain.
4 Sports sedan – Lexus IS 350 F-Sport
The Lexus IS 350 F-Sport has the same engine as the RC 350 – which is a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6, which produces 315 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, the IS 500 F-Performance costs over $12,000 more than the IS 350 F-Sport, which starts at $45,000.
The IS is now a slightly older model – even if it doesn’t necessarily look like it, thanks to the design. One aspect where it shows its age is inside – it still has a CD slot and the sat nav hasn’t been updated all that much since 2013. Still, the IS 350 F-Sport is a refined and outrageously reliable sports sedan.
3 Sport Sedan – Dodge Charger Scat Pack
The Dodge Charger Scat Pack is a great car because it offers a lot of cars for relatively little money – as is traditional American automotive tradition. Starting at $46,000, the Scat Pack comes with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that produces 485 hp. The Charger Scat Pack is only available with an 8-speed automatic transmission, but it’s a ZF unit, so there’s no problem with that.
The Charger Scat Pack has plenty of room both inside the cabin and in the trunk, making it a sporty sedan and a great family car. Interestingly, the V8 in the Scat Pack was only 1 MPG less than the base spec V6, which is around 26 MPG.
2 Sports Sedan – Genesis G70 3.3T
The Genesis G70 is a premium luxury sedan built to take on the Germans – like the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class – at their own game. The G70 range starts with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4, but the sportier version to go for is the 3.3T. As noted, the G70 is powered by a 365bhp twin-turbo 3.3-litre V6 – the same as the Kia Stinger GT.
The Genesis G70 3.3T starts from $44,000, with the “Sport Advanced” spec being $4,000 more. The G70, like most Genesis models, offers luxury and ride refinement almost as good as the best rivals, but for far less money. Even though the G70 3.3T is down in power compared to many sport sedans, it’s still a great choice.
1 Sports sedan – BMW M340i
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Finally, the best small sport sedan of them all – the BMW M340i. The Bimmer is one of the more expensive options to choose from – starting at around $52,000 – but it’s worth every penny. The M340i is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, which produces 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The car is also equipped with a 48-volt mild hybrid system which aids emissions and provides a power boost.
The BMW 3 Series has been the standard for the compact executive sedan, with the top-of-the-line M3 variant setting the benchmark for the smaller sports sedan. With the Series 3 just updated with a new look, it just got even better. It is definitely a valid alternative to the Nissan Z.