In the age of ever-stricter emissions regulations, big displacement internal combustion engines (ICE) are being phased out in favor of downsized ones with turbocharging, electrification, or both. One of the victims of this downsizing and electrification trend is the V-6, and it's perhaps this engine that's affecting the most number of buyers, because a good number of the best-selling cars in America have a V-6 or at least are available with a V-6.

These days, however, that number is dwindling. Cars like the Toyota Highlander and even the Camry used to have V-6 engines (though there are still a few 2024 model-year units left in some dealer lots), but unsurprisingly, both vehicles went the turbocharged and electrified route, thanks to those stricter emissions regulations and average fuel economy standards.

Therefore, what are your options if you're looking for the most affordable car (not SUV or crossover, just strictly limited to cars) with a V-6 engine? Well, in 2024, we bid goodbye to the V-6-powered Camry and the Chevrolet Camaro as this muscle car ended production in December 2023. Officially, there is still a good number of 2024 model-year Camaros left on dealer lots (but good luck on the Camry, though), and technically, they are the most affordable V-6-powered car in 2024. However, we won't consider these two cars in this article since they aren't in production anymore, and their affordability will be highly dependent on the available stock in your place of residence.

The Most Affordable V-6-Powered Car In 2024 Isn't Cheap

Perhaps to the surprise of no one, with the discontinuation of the Camaro and the V-6-powered version of the Camry, the most affordable way to own a V-6-powered new car that you can also configure as your own, as opposed to just looking for what's available in a dealer lot has become a lot more expensive. On the upside, it's still a little less than the average new car transaction price of $47,433, and the most affordable V-6 car now comes from Nissan.

It's An Iconic Two-Seat Sports Car

The most affordable car in 2024 with a V-6 is from Nissan. Nope, it is not a sedan, since the Maxima has also been discontinued, and so what you're left with is the Z. Introduced in 2021, the Nissan Z is the successor to the 370Z, which uses a heavily revised version of that model's platform and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that produces 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. There's also a more powerful Nismo version of the Z, but in this case, we'll be focusing on the base Z Sport, which retails for $42,970.

It's Cheaper Yet Faster Than The Base GR Supra, Too

The 2024 Nissan Z Sport's arch-rival is the base Toyota GR Supra 2.0, which the latter has a higher base price of $46,440. This is going to make for an interesting comparison because, despite the GR Supra being more expensive, it is the Z that ends up the significantly more powerful of the two, and unsurprisingly, the fastest, without even taking into account any potential mods.

The GR Supra's cost is partly explained by its BMW underpinnings, which are more modern, more sophisticated, and offer a sharper driving experience. The Z's platform isn't new, and pretty much dates back to the 370Z, which in turn was also based on the 350Z. So yes, you're dealing with a 20-year-old architecture here, albeit heavily re-engineered for the 21st century. The question now is, do you want the faster sports car, or the sports car that offers sharper handling? Your choice.

What You Get For $42,970

Because this is the cheapest V-6 car on sale at the moment, you're probably not expecting a ton of features or amenities. However, keep your expectations reasonable, and you'll be surprised at the features you get, which will probably be enough to satisfy your needs and wants.

A Surprisingly Sporty Exterior

Perhaps to the surprise of no one, it's hard to find press photos of a base model of any vehicle, and in the 2024 Nissan Z, that's still pretty much the case. Thankfully, our sister site CarBuzz was able to get their hands on a base spec Nissan Z Sport, and so they have more detailed photos of this spec of the Z. Nevertheless, the base Z Sport doesn't look too bad in our opinion. In fact, the 18-inch wheels still do a good job of filling those wheel wells in the Z, just as much as the 19-inch RAYS forged wheels in the higher variants.

This variant also loses the black contrasting roof option, and, that's actually pretty much it. The base spec Z is still fitted with the typical modern touches you expect in a car these days, such as full LED exterior lighting with automatic high beams, and even smart entry.

Where you lose out on visually are the brakes. The calipers are smaller in the Z Sport because this variant loses out to the four-piston front and two-piston rear Akebono brake calipers of the higher-end variants. Instead, it comes with two-piston front and one-piston rear brake calipers. Suspension-wise, the Z Sport is still the same as the rest of the range, though this model also doesn't come with a mechanical rear limited-slip differential (LSD).

An Interior That Offers You The Fundamentals

Unsurprisingly, the interior of the Z Sport isn't going to be the most luxurious, especially with the fabric seats, but in terms of modern creature comforts, it's still mostly got you covered. The 12.3-inch fully digital driver's display is still fitted in this variant, though the NissanConnect infotainment in this variant is the smaller 8-inch version with the larger bezels.

The software also has fewer capabilities, and its smartphone integration features are all through wired connections. You also have to settle for the six-speaker sound system as opposed to the eight-speaker Bose sound system. So yes, while it's not the most luxurious interior, it's still one that's very modern and provides you with all the connectivity and creature comforts you expect in a car from 2024.

Even the amount of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) you get in the base Z Sport is generous. Regardless if you get the six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic, you still get automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, among other ADAS features. You even get tire pressure monitoring, as well as front and rear parking sensors. This, clearly, is not a Z that's considered bare bones.

What's It Like To Live With The Z

So, if you've reached this point in the article, you're probably convinced to get a Z for yourself. Before you seal the deal, you will surely be curious to know what it's like to live with the Z. Thankfully, we at the TopSpeed team have had experience with the Z, so you can vouch for our experience of what the Z is like to live with.

A Livable Sports Car

The Nissan Z has always tried to put usability at a high priority, and in this new model, it's no exception. The front double wishbone and five-link rear suspension have been tuned to offer a compliant ride despite its sporty orientation. The steering is precise, though we do wish for a bit more road feel, while that 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 has surprisingly linear power delivery due to how the turbos have been deliberately tuned to not offer all of its boost pressure in one punch. However, that V-6 doesn't match the aural note of the previous naturally-aspired unit in the 370Z.

You have to remember though that most of us have only driven a higher-spec Z with the LSD, the Akebono brakes, and 19-inch RAYS forged wheels, so without these features in the base Z Sport, expect that version to be a little less capable, but not exactly short on fun. The chassis may be 20 years old, and though the GR Supra is the more precise and agile machine, there's still plenty to like in the Z Sport, especially when it comes to outright power and fun.

Plus, The Aftermarket Support Is Strong

Finally, as usual with a lot of Japanese sports cars, there's strong aftermarket support that will let you customize your Z to your heart's content. By going for the base Z Sport, you've got spare cash to buy all the mods and parts to make it your own. Perhaps settling for the Z Sport won't be too bad after all if you plan to change those 18-inch wheels for aftermarket wheels that are probably even nicer than the 19-inch RAYS forged wheels of the higher variants. Furthermore, that 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 is strong and reliable, which means you'll be able to tune it with fewer reliability and durability concerns.