It’s 2026. You can get a four-door electric vehicle (EV) with a Ford Mustang badge. Hell, you can get a Dodge Charger as either an EV or powered by a twin-turbo inline-six-cylinder engine. Let’s face it: we live in weird times. But with the availability of what was once science fiction, the auto industry has made some sacrifices, too. And one of those car market casualties is none other than the plentiful six-cylinder engine.
It’s true. The number of sedans and even sports cars you can still get with a six-cylinder engine is shrinking in favor of turbocharged four-pot hearts, hybrid applications, and the occasional old-school V8. There are, however, a few notable holdouts. Sports cars that simply refuse to give up their V6s and inline-sixes. Better yet, this two-door coupe will offer you a potent V6 without breaking the bank.
Where Have All The Inline-Six And V6 Engines Gone?
The last decade has claimed its fair share of six-cylinder new car offerings. The Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Chrysler 300 disappeared from the market entirely after the 2023 model year, taking their 3.6-liter Pentastar V6s with them. The Chevrolet Camaro also gave up the ghost after its 2024 model year, putting an end to its 335-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. Even the ballistically fast Nissan GT-R bowed out after the 2025 model year, depriving us of its mighty 3.8-liter VR38DETT V6 in the process.
The culling of the six-pot powerplants hasn’t ended, either. The admittedly special 2026 Toyota GR Supra Final Edition signals the end of the Austrian-built, BMW inline-six-powered Mk V Supra. If that wasn’t enough, Porsche recently shelved the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster, along with their silky-smooth flat sixes. Sad days, indeed.
Traded In For Four-Cylinders
In many cases, like that of the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro, the model simply disappeared and took its six-cylinder heart to the grave with it. But some models opted instead to shelve a six-cylinder engine for a smaller, more power-dense and efficient mill. Take the Ford Mustang, for example. As of 2017, the Mustang gave up its 3.7-liter V6 to stick with its hot-selling turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-pot and its 5.0-liter Coyote V8. That’s not the case for every thoroughbred sports car, though. Especially not when it comes to this wallet-friendly performance icon from Nissan.
Why The Nissan RB26 Engine Remains A Durability Legend
Almost 37 years after it debuted, the Nissan RB26DETT lives up to its reputation.
2026 Nissan Z Sport: Affordable V6 Performance
Starting At $42,970
Here it is: the most affordable six-cylinder sports car on the new car market for 2026. It’s the base-model 2026 Nissan Z Sport. As with previous model years, even the entry-level Nissan Z produces 400 horsepower courtesy of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter VR30 V6. That’s good news for misty-eyed sports car fans lamenting the disappearance of six-cylinder fun factories. As you’d expect in a thrill-first sports car, rear-wheel drive is the only option. Better yet, the Z Sport offers a six-speed manual transmission in addition to a paddle-shiftable nine-speed automatic gearbox. Though we’d stick with the six-speed stick for a more engaging Z-car driving experience.
The Cheapest Way To Six-Cylinder Power
With a starting price of $42,970, the Nissan Z Sport is cheaper than every other six-cylinder sports car out there, including the BMW Z4 M40i, Toyota GR Supra, and super spendy Lotus Emira. But buyers looking to get the most out of the Nissan Z lineup might want to stretch their budgets to the Z Performance’s $52,970 starting price.
For the extra money, the mid-level Z gets a limited-slip differential, added stopping power thanks to a brake upgrade, a more aggressive suspension tune, 19-inch wheels wrapped up in staggered summer tires, and a larger, nine-inch infotainment touchscreen. Still, even with the added upcharge, the Z Performance is still more affordable than the entry-level, $58,300 Toyota GR Supra 3.0.
2026 Nissan Z Pricing
|
Z Sport |
$42,970 |
|
Z Performance |
$52,970 |
|
Z Heritage Edition |
$55,910 |
|
Z NISMO |
$65,750 |
The Nissan Z Is The Best-Value Sports Car In America
The Nissan Z cost $42,000, has 400 horsepower and a six-speed manual. But there are lots of rivals in this segment. Does it win?
A Holdout In A Dwindling Six-Cylinder Market
After 2026, the Nissan Z’s principal competition, the Toyota GR Supra, will leave production. That leaves the Z in a dwindling segment. For starters, Nissan’s sports coupe will be the last remaining affordable Japanese two-door with a V6 engine following the Supra’s departure.
Now, that doesn’t mean six-cylinder performance cars are disappearing altogether. For 2026, coupes like the BMW M2, BMW M4, and the seductive Maserati GranTurismo similarly refuse to shrug off a six-cylinder heart. And, unlike the Toyota coupe, the Nissan Z just received its first refresh for the 2027 model year. It’s a subtle update, but detail-oriented fans are likely to spot the front-end facelift. In place of the more angular 2026 look, the 2027 front fascia is now split into two smaller segments by a central member.
That’s not the only development for the V6-powered sports car, either. At the jarringly stiff, track-oriented NISMO trim, fans can now get a six-speed manual married up to the 420-horsepower twin-turbo V6. As for the future of the Z, a refresh likely means the retro sports coupe will stick around for a few years.
Compromise-Free Performance
Even at the base level, the Nissan Z Sport gets the same pissed-off six-cylinder engine you’d get at the pricier Performance trim. It’s the VR30DDTT, an aluminum-construction twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 cousin of the now-discontinued GT-R’s VR38DETT. As a result, opting for the entry-level Z Sport means the same 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet as the Z Performance and Heritage Edition, albeit without the sportier touches like the limited-slip differential and more aggressive suspension tune.
2026 Nissan Z Sport Specs
|
Engine |
Twin-Turbocharged 3.0-Liter V6 |
|
Transmission |
6-Speed Manual, 9-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower |
400 HP At 6,400 RPM |
|
Torque |
350 LB-FT At 1,600 RPM |
|
Curb Weight |
3,486 LBS (Manual) |
2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition Interior And Exterior Picture Gallery
The 2026 Z Heritage Edition blends retro Z32 styling with modern performance, Midnight Purple paint, bronze wheels, unique interior details and a V-6.
How Does It Stack Up?
Even in base-model guise, the 2026 Nissan Z Sport’s 400 horsepower puts it ahead of pricier competition like the BMW Z4 M40i, Toyota GR Supra 3.0, and Porsche 718 Cayman in power output. And at $46,560, the Z Sport with a standard six-speed manual transmission is a cheaper means to row your own gears than a 2026 Ford Mustang GT with its Getrag-sourced manual gearbox. However, even with a limited-slip differential and grippier tires at the Z Performance trim, the Nissan coupe just can’t keep up with the acceleration times put down by rivals like the GR Supra. Still, Nissan’s retro six-cylinder sports car represents a unique presence in a shrinking segment.
Sources: Nissan