For decades, Toyota and Nissan have battled it out for dominance in the Japanese sports coupe world. The rivalry between the Supra and the Z is part of automotive legend. In 2025, that rivalry gets even sharper. Toyota’s GR Supra remains one of the best-balanced sports cars you can buy. Nissan counters with the Z Nismo, a track-focused version of the recently revived Z coupe.
These aren’t just performance cars. They’re icons — built for purists, designed with heritage in mind, and aimed at drivers who still want a real connection between seat and street.
So if you’re shopping for a rear-wheel-drive Japanese sports car this year, which one should you buy? Let’s break it all down.
Exterior Design and Street Presence
Both coupes are unmistakably modern, but neither forgets its roots.
Toyota GR Supra (2025)
The Supra’s design is sculpted and aerodynamic. It’s compact, wide, and aggressive from every angle. The long hood and double-bubble roof are callbacks to its racing lineage. Large intakes and narrow LED lights give it a fierce front end. The rear is muscular, with a ducktail spoiler and wide stance that signal its capability.
The 2025 model continues with minimal exterior changes but gets new wheel options and paint colors. It’s still bold, but refined — perfect for those who like form and function in one body.
Nissan Z Nismo (2025)
The Nismo version takes the Z’s retro-modern styling and pushes it further. The front bumper is reshaped for better cooling and downforce. A deeper splitter, rear diffuser, and fixed rear spoiler improve aerodynamics and give it a more aggressive stance.
The signature LED headlights remain, as does the classic Z profile with its long hood and sloping rear. Nismo-specific badging, red accents, and lightweight wheels complete the transformation. It looks serious, fast, and unmistakably JDM.
Verdict:
The Supra is sleek and refined. The Z Nismo is raw and aggressive. Choose the one that fits your personality.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
These are real sports cars — rear-wheel drive, front-engine, and tuned to perform.
GR Supra Powertrain
- 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six
- 382 horsepower
- 368 lb-ft of torque
- 0–60 mph in 3.9 seconds
- 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic
Toyota offers a near-perfect powertrain in the GR Supra. The turbocharged inline-six is sourced from BMW but tuned by Gazoo Racing. It’s smooth, powerful, and responsive. The manual transmission adds driver engagement without compromising performance.
The Supra’s chassis is precise. Steering feel is sharp, body control is excellent, and the rear-drive layout delivers clean rotation on corner exits. It’s a car that rewards confidence and precision.
Nissan Z Nismo Powertrain
- 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6
- 420 horsepower
- 384 lb-ft of torque
- 0–60 mph in around 4.0 seconds
- 9-speed automatic only
The Nismo Z takes the standard Z and boosts power through improved cooling, ECU tuning, and a new turbo setup. It gains nearly 20 percent more stiffness thanks to chassis reinforcements, stiffer bushings, and unique suspension tuning.
Unlike the regular Z, the Nismo version does not offer a manual. Instead, it uses a Nismo-tuned 9-speed automatic with rev-matching downshifts and paddle shifters. The brakes are upgraded, and the tires are stickier Dunlop SP Sport Maxx.
Verdict:
The Supra offers more flexibility with transmission options and slightly quicker acceleration. The Z Nismo is more powerful and focused on track use. Choose based on your driving style — control or outright grip.
Handling and Driving Feel
The spec sheet only tells part of the story. How a car feels behind the wheel is what matters most.
Supra Driving Experience
The GR Supra is balanced and refined. Its short wheelbase makes it agile, while the wide track helps with stability. Steering feel is crisp and direct. In corners, the Supra rotates willingly, especially with the manual, which encourages you to play with throttle and brake balance.
Daily driving is easy. Ride quality is firm but not punishing, and cabin noise is well managed. The Supra blends daily usability with weekend capability better than most in its class.
Z Nismo Driving Experience
The Z Nismo feels more serious from the moment you start driving. Steering is heavier, the suspension is firmer, and the throttle is sharper. It’s designed for track days and backroad blasts, not necessarily for comfort.
It has less finesse than the Supra, but more brute force. In the right hands, it can be just as rewarding — but it demands more from the driver. It feels rawer, louder, and more mechanical. That’s exactly what some enthusiasts want.
Verdict:
The Supra is more refined and forgiving. The Z Nismo is more intense and focused. Choose the Supra if you want balance. Pick the Z if you want challenge.
Interior and Cabin Features
Both cars focus on the driver, but their approaches differ.
GR Supra Interior
The Supra’s cabin is compact and tightly wrapped around the driver. Materials are high-quality, with soft-touch panels, leather-trimmed seats, and available Alcantara. The center console rises between the seats, putting all controls within easy reach.
Tech is strong, with:
- 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8.8-inch touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- 12-speaker JBL audio system (available)
- Dual-zone climate control
The driving position is low and cockpit-like. Visibility is a little tight, but the layout is smart and functional.
Z Nismo Interior
The Z Nismo features unique Recaro sport seats with red and black leather and Alcantara. The steering wheel is thicker, trimmed in Alcantara, and features a red center stripe. Red accents and Nismo badging are found throughout the cabin.
Tech includes:
- 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
- 9.0-inch center touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wi-Fi hotspot and navigation
- Optional Bose premium audio
The cabin feels more aggressive, but some materials fall short of the Supra’s quality. Still, it delivers a sense of purpose that makes up for minor trim inconsistencies.
Verdict:
The Supra has the edge in polish and ergonomics. The Z Nismo wins on flair and sport-specific design. Pick based on your comfort and style priorities.
Practicality and Daily Use
Neither car is built for Costco runs or long road trips, but daily livability still matters.
Supra Practicality
- Two seats only
- 10.2 cubic feet of trunk space
- Firm but livable ride
- Easy to park, decent fuel economy
The Supra isn’t spacious, but it’s usable. The trunk fits a weekend’s worth of bags or a few grocery runs. Cabin storage is limited, and taller drivers may find headroom tight with a helmet on. Still, as a daily, it works.
Z Nismo Practicality
- Two seats
- 6.9 cubic feet of cargo space
- Firmer suspension
- More cabin noise
The Z has slightly less storage and a firmer ride. Its automatic transmission makes it easier in traffic, but it’s not built for soft roads or quiet highways. Visibility is good, and parking isn’t a challenge.
Verdict:
The Supra is more refined for daily life. The Z is best if your commute includes empty canyon roads.
Price and Value
Value is where these two diverge most.
GR Supra Pricing:
- 3.0 Premium (manual or auto): Around $56,500
- A91 MT Edition (limited): Over $60,000
- Base 2.0 model: Around $46,000 (not part of this comparison)
Nissan Z Nismo Pricing:
- Starting at $66,000
- One trim only, fully loaded
- No manual option
The Z Nismo commands a premium over the base Z and even over the Supra. You’re paying for the added power, chassis tuning, and exclusivity. However, the lack of a manual at this price point is a sticking point for some buyers.
Verdict:
The Supra offers more flexibility, lower base pricing, and the option of a manual. The Z Nismo is more expensive but track-ready from the factory.
Final Verdict: Which Sports Coupe Should You Buy?
Both the 2025 Toyota GR Supra and the Nissan Z Nismo are worthy successors to their legendary badges. Each delivers rear-wheel-drive fun, aggressive styling, and daily usability in a world that’s increasingly losing affordable performance cars.
Buy the GR Supra if you want:
- A balanced, refined sports car
- Transmission choice (manual or automatic)
- Lower entry price
- A polished, versatile daily driver that’s still fun on the weekends
Buy the Nissan Z Nismo if you want:
- A rawer, more focused experience
- More power and sharper handling
- Exclusive styling and track-ready parts
- A car that feels purpose-built, not just upgraded
In the end, both cars celebrate driving at a time when that’s becoming rare. The right choice depends on how much you value feel versus fury — and how often you plan to let it loose.
