Automotive
Within the ever-shifting world of recent sports cars, surprises still occur. And this yr, certainly one of the largest surprises comes from Nissan, because the Z has managed to outsell the Toyota GR Supra by a staggering 3-to-1 margin to date in 2025. For anyone who’s been following the evolution of each cars, this twist wasn’t exactly expected. But here we’re.
Once we reviewed the 2024 Nissan Z Performance with the manual transmission, we got here away thoroughly impressed by its mix of classic rear-wheel-drive fun, usable power, and reversion styling that just works. It felt like Nissan finally hit the sweet spot between nostalgia and modern performance. On the time, sales didn’t quite reflect how good the automotive was, likely as a consequence of lingering supply chain issues, inflated dealer pricing, and a comparatively slow production ramp-up. Now, those hurdles appear to be mostly within the rearview mirror.
Based on the newest numbers, demand for the Nissan Z has exploded in 2025. First-quarter sales surged 108 percent, with 1,635 units sold. That momentum continued into the second quarter, bringing the entire to three,789 units through the primary half of the yr. That’s a 160.1 percent increase year-over-year — a large leap that reflects growing interest and availability.
Compare that to the Toyota GR Supra, which, despite offering a compelling package and at last adding a manual transmission in recent times, hasn’t been able to keep up the identical momentum. We gave high praise to the 2023 GR Supra 6MT once we tested it, appreciating the best way Toyota and BMW managed to inject some analog soul into an otherwise very tech-heavy automotive. Unfortunately, sales haven’t followed suit. Thus far in 2025, just 1,231 Supras have found homes within the U.S., marking a 17.7 percent decline in comparison with this time last yr.
While the Z’s resurgence is value celebrating, it’s value noting that its principal rival won’t be around for much longer. Toyota has confirmed that the present Supra will end production after the 2026 model yr, with a limited-run Final Edition of just 1,300 units wrapping things up. That said, Toyota fans can take comfort in knowing that a sixth-generation Supra is already in development, likely closing the long gap that when stretched twenty years between generations.
After all, the sports automotive landscape has shifted quite a bit, and while the Z is currently stealing the highlight from the Supra, each are still light-years behind the segment’s volume leader — the Ford Mustang. Even with a 14.2 percent dip in sales, Ford managed to maneuver 23,551 Mustangs in the primary half of 2025. That’s greater than 4 times the combined sales of the Z and Supra. The Mustang’s broader appeal and multiple drivetrain options proceed to make it the go-to selection for American coupe buyers.
After which there’s the Nissan GT-R. While probably not in the identical sales conversation as a consequence of its price and now-limited availability, it’s value mentioning that just 37 GT-Rs were sold in the primary half of 2025. That marks a 75.5 percent drop, but with U.S. production ending last October and order books closing in Japan in February, the writing was already on the wall. The R35 chapter is closed. The following-generation GT-R is coming, but when the Hyper Force concept is any hint of what’s next, expect a radical, possibly all-electric future.
For now, the Nissan Z’s strong showing in 2025 proves that even in a market leaning heavily toward crossovers and EVs, there’s still room for an old-school, rear-drive sports coupe done right. Whether this pace keeps up stays to be seen, however the message is obvious — enthusiasts are being attentive.
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Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed on the earth of cars. Whether it’s exploring the newest advancements in automotive technology or keeping a detailed pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and fascinating for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the most recent models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
