2026 Nissan Z: mileage, fuel cost, safety and recalls
The 2026 Nissan Z gets 19 to 22 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Z (Automatic (S9)) at 22 mpg.
How the Z ranks in its class
In the Two Seaters class for 2026, the Z ranks 4th of 21 for combined mileage (22 mpg), 5th of 16 for yearly fuel cost ($3,500 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 8th of 21 for tailpipe CO2 (405 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 18 mpg, costs $4,300 a year and puts out 474 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 148 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Z's best version, 18 other models get the same and 68 get less. The 2026 Z's cheapest version costs $3,500 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 169 cost less, 8 the same and 48 more.
Nearest models in the class (places 1 to 7 of 21)
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 Mazda MX-5 | 2026 MX-5 (Automatic (S6)) | 29 | $2,650 | 301 |
| 2 | 2026 BMW Z4 | 2026 Z4 sDrive30i | 28 | $2,750 | 312 |
| 3 | 2026 Toyota GR Supra | 2026 GR Supra (4-cyl 2.0 L, Automatic (S8)) | 27 | $2,850 | 322 |
| 4 | 2026 Nissan ZThis car | 2026 Z (Automatic (S9)) | 22 | $3,500 | 405 |
| 5 | 2026 Lotus Emira | 2026 Emira | 21 | $2,950 | 418 |
| 6 | 2026 Chevrolet Corvette | 2026 Corvette | 19 | $4,050 | 474 |
| 7 | 2026 Aston Martin Vantage | 2026 Vantage | 18 | $4,300 | 498 |
Your fuel cost
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Z (Automatic (S9)), 6-cyl 3.0 L: 19 mpg city, 28 highway, 22 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Z version is $3,500 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
Compare with a rival
The 3 nearest rivals in the Two Seaters class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Emira costs $559 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Emira costs $2,795 less to fuel than the Z (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
- 2026 Lotus Emira
- 2026 Chevrolet Corvette
- 2026 Aston Martin Vantage
The Z against its nearest rivals
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Z (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Z | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lotus Emira | 2026 Emira | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 1 lower | $550 less a year | - |
| 2026 Chevrolet Corvette | 2026 Corvette | 19 mpg | $4,050 | 3 lower | $550 more a year | Compare |
| 2026 Aston Martin Vantage | 2026 Vantage | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 4 lower | $800 more a year | - |
Every version of the 2026 Nissan Z
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Z (Automatic (S9)) | 6-cyl 3.0 L | Automatic (S9) | Rear-wheel | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,500 | 405 | cheapest |
| 2026 Z (Manual 6-spd) | 6-cyl 3.0 L | Manual 6-spd | Rear-wheel | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,850 | 435 | +$350 |
| 2026 Z NISMO | 6-cyl 3.0 L | Automatic (S9) | Rear-wheel | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,050 | 469 | +$550 |
Does a cheaper-to-fuel 2026 version pay back?
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Z; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Emissions
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Z (Automatic (S9)) puts out 405 grams per mile; across the 3 tested versions the figure runs from 405 to 469.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Z (Automatic (S9)): fuel economy score 4, greenhouse gas score 4.
Mileage by model year
Best combined figure of the Z gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 22 mpg | 2 | same as 2026 | |
| 2024 | 22 mpg | 3 | same as 2026 | |
| 2025 | 22 mpg | 3 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 22 mpg | 3 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 3 versions were tested then and 3 now; the best figure went from 22 to 22 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Z (Automatic (S9)), 6-cyl 3.0 L | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Z (Manual 6-spd), 6-cyl 3.0 L | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Z NISMO, 6-cyl 3.0 L | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | no change |
Safety record
Crash-test ratings, 2026
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2026 Nissan Z (as Z). The U.S. safety agency's ratings list returned no star ratings for the 2026 Nissan Z on 2026-11-14. Not every model is crash tested, so this means "not rated by NHTSA", not a good or a bad result.
Owner complaints, 2026
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2026 Nissan Z (as Z). The U.S. safety agency's database returned no complaints for the 2026 Nissan Z on 2026-11-14.
Safety recalls
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2026 Nissan Z (as Z). The U.S. safety agency's database returned no recalls for the 2026 Nissan Z on 2026-11-14. Recalls can be added later; check your own car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
More Two Seaters for 2026
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Z itself is at 22 mpg.
Other Nissan models of 2026
More Nissan models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
Common questions
Which 2026 Nissan Z gets the best mileage?
The 2026 Z (Automatic (S9)) with 22 mpg combined (19 city, 28 highway).
How much does a 2026 Nissan Z cost to fuel for a year?
The 2026 Nissan Z costs between $3,500 and $4,050 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Z (Automatic (S9)) at $3,500; the dearest is the 2026 Z NISMO at $4,050. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
How does the 2026 Nissan Z rank among 2026 Two Seaters models?
The 2026 Nissan Z is 4th of 21 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Mazda MX-5 at 29 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 18 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Toyota GR Supra at 27 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Lotus Emira at 21 mpg.
Did the Z change from 2025 to 2026?
The 2025 model had 3 tested versions and the 2026 model has 3. The best figure went from 22 to 22 mpg (no change).
How did the 2026 Nissan Z do in crash tests?
No star ratings were returned for the 2026 Nissan Z on 2026-11-14. Not every model is crash tested.
Do owners complain about the 2026 Nissan Z?
No complaints were returned for the 2026 Nissan Z on 2026-11-14.
Does the 2026 Nissan Z have recalls?
The agency's database returned no recalls for the 2026 Nissan Z on 2026-11-14 (its model list has this car). Check your own car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fresh these numbers are
For the 2026 Nissan Z: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14 (no stars returned); complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Nissan Z: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Nissan Z: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Nissan Z: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Nissan Z: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.