Nissan 370Z (2009 – 2020) Review
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Nissan 370Z (2009 – 2020) Verdict
Impressive performance for a sub-£30k car. Nismo variant turns heads like a supercar.
Expensive to run. Poor fuel economy. More a muscle car than a sports car. Dated cabin.
Find out more about the Nissan 370Z (2009 – 2020)
Insurance Groups are between 44–47
On average it achieves 94% of the official MPG figure
With its aggressive, chunky looks and powerful V6 engine, the Nissan 370Z has plenty of wow factor. It turns heads - particularly those of teenage boys - as well as any supercar, but it is starting to show its age now, with high running costs, a disappointing cabin and poor comfort levels. Even so it has appeal, particularly for drivers who learned in the world of Gran Turismo.
Power comes from a 3.7-litre V6 that develops a hefty 328PS, or 344PS in Nismo form. It thrives on high revs, which means working the meaty gear change, but when the engine is on song it makes for serious pace – 0-62mph takes 5.2 seconds in the Nismo model. Sadly that pace isn’t accompanied by a symphonic noise - the 370Z feels a little agricultural and misses out on the aural theatre of the latest Audi TT or BMW M235i.
It also misses out on the delicacy and capability of rivals like the Audi TT. This is more of a muscle car than a sports car – it’s happier on a wide, sweeping A-road than an undulating B-road, where the short travel suspension and stiff ride make life difficult. Getting the power down without traction control cutting in is hard unless the surface is perfect - rare in the UK.
The stiffness also affects ride quality, with constant bouncing and jiggling in the cabin. This is made worse by seats with fairly poor lower back support - you’ll need breaks if you’re going on a long journey. You’ll also have to pack light, since the boot is awkwardly shallow. You'll also have to fill up regularly since fuel economy is poor -the official figure is 26.6mpg. Thankfully that is realistic in real world driving.
It might not be the most polished performance car on the market and it lacks the precision and composure of European rivals, but if you’ve grown up with Playstation driving games you might already have a soft spot for the Nissan 370Z. If that’s the case then it is good enough to impress, but for most buyers there are better options on the market.
Reviews for Nissan 370Z (2009 – 2020)'s top 3 rivals
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Nissan 370Z (2009 – 2020) handling and engines
- Engines range from 3.7 V6 to 3.7 V6 Nismo
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 22–29 mpg
The 370Z recipe is fairly traditional - there’s a big 3.7-litre V6 under the bonnet, linked by a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. Peak power is 328PS for the Coupe/GT or 344PS for the Nismo model, while torque is 363Nm or 371Nm for the Nismo. As you'd expect, official economy is poor at 26.6mpg, with emissions of 248g/km.
Many more recent performance models benefit from turbocharging but not the 370Z. That means the Nissan's engine needs to be revved hard to produce its peak torque output, with no low down shove like you get in something like an Audi TT TFSI. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean working the gearbox, which has a satisfying albeit clunky action.
It has a party trick when changing down though, replicating ‘heel and toe’ gearchanges by blipping the throttle for you. It’s a great way to show off to passengers and it’s genuinely useful when braking hard for corners. The steering is heftily weighted and accurate, but the 370Z is only really satisfying to drive on smooth, wide, sweeping roads.
Show it a B-road and it is less impressive. The stiff body and short travel suspension interrupt the balance of the car, which bucks and jiggles over bumps you wouldn’t even notice in other performance coupes. You really need to be switched on to make the most of the 370Z on a road like this, which you will either find rewarding or very frustrating.
If you’re a track day lover the 370Z is better. With enough space to wring the full potential out of the engine and a good quality surface it’s great fun, thanks to impressive levels of grip and good feedback through the chassis. It lacks the precision of a more finely tuned sports car like the noticeably pricier Porsche Cayman, but it still provides a lot of entertainment in the right environment.
Nissan offers the 370Z in Nismo trim, which not only adds a muscular, aggressive body kit but also ramps up the performance with an extra 16PS, along with additional stiffening to the chassis and revised suspension. These extras certainly give the car a bit more wow-factor, but they also make it less comfortable on the road. That doesn’t seem to bother buyers, though - the Nismo model is more popular than both the standard Coupe or GT variants.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 V6 | 27–27 mpg | 5.3 s | 248–274 g/km |
| 3.7 V6 Automatic | 27–27 mpg | 5.3–5.6 s | 245–271 g/km |
| 3.7 V6 Nismo | 27 mpg | 5.2 s | 248 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Nissan 370Z (2009 – 2020)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
94%
Real MPG
22–29 mpg
MPGs submitted
13
Nissan 370Z (2009 – 2020) interior
- Boot space is 235 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4250–4330 mm |
| Width | 1845–1870 mm |
| Height | 1315 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2550 mm |
The 370Z has a disappointing cabin. The centre stack uses dated looking plastics, with a jumble of buttons arranged in a less than user-friendly layout. On the plus side the instruments are fairly clear, though again they look a little dated. Fortunately, there are a few flourishes that lift things a little, including suede upholstery on GT and Nismo models.
Comfort levels leave a lot to be desired too - the driver's seat isn’t massively supportive on longer journeys, particularly in the more focused Nismo mode, while the steering wheel lacks any reach adjustment and over shoulder visibility is poor. Thankfully lateral support is good, so occupants shouldn’t be thrown around too much through corners.
The boot is shallow with a high load lip and, so while it offers enough room for shopping or a weekend trip, it is more or less useless for anything else. There are no rear seats, though, but you’re unlikely to need room for family gear like push chairs and child seats if you’ve opted for a Nissan 370Z.
Standard equipment isn’t too bad, with climate control, Bluetooth, keyless entry and automatic wipers as standard. Moving up to the GT variant adds a touchscreen system with navigatiom, but the latest Audi TT has an astoundingly good infotainment system that makes the Nissan look like an antique.
Standard Equipment:
370Z Coupe comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, climate control, xenon headlights, push button start, keyless entry, Bluetooth, auto wipers, power adjustable seats with cloth upholstery and an AUX input.
GT adds 19-inch alloy wheels, BOSE audio system, leather and suede upholstery, a touchscreen system with navigation, cruise control with speed limiter, heated seats, lumbar support and a gear indicator.
Nismo adds the Nismo styling kit, 19-inch Rays lightweight alloy wheels, dual exhaust, Nismo seats and interior details.
Nissan 370Z (2009 – 2020) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4250–4330 mm |
| Width | 1845–1870 mm |
| Height | 1315 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2550 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1496–1537 kg |
| Boot Space | 235 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 9000 miles |
| Spare Wheel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | None | ||
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £27,860–£38,050 |
| Insurance Groups | 44–47 |
| Road Tax Bands | L–M |
| Official MPG | 26.6–26.9 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
Currently on sale
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2 Door 3.7 V6 328ps 3dr | - | 26.6 mpg | 5.3 s |
| 2 Door 3.7 V6 328ps 50th Anniversary 3dr | - | 26.6 mpg | 5.3 s |
| 2 Door 3.7 V6 328ps 50th Anniversary Auto 3dr | - | 26.6 mpg | 5.3 s |
| 2 Door 3.7 V6 328ps GT 3dr | - | 26.6 mpg | 5.3 s |
| 2 Door 3.7 V6 328ps GT Auto 3dr | - | 26.9 mpg | 5.6 s |
| 2 Door 3.7 V6 344ps Nismo 3dr | - | 26.6 mpg | 5.2 s |
On sale until April 2017
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2 Door Coupe 3.7 V6 328ps 3dr | £27,860 | 26.6 mpg | 5.3 s |
| 2 Door Coupe 3.7 V6 328ps GT 3dr | £32,960 | 26.6 mpg | 5.3 s |
| 2 Door Coupe 3.7 V6 328ps GT Auto 3dr | £34,460 | 26.9 mpg | 5.6 s |
| 2 Door Coupe 3.7 V6 344ps Nismo 3dr | £38,050 | 26.6 mpg | 5.2 s |
On sale until April 2013
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 3.7 V6 GT Edition 2dr | £35,050 | 26.7 mpg | 5.3 s |
| 3.7 V6 GT Edition Auto 2dr | £36,500 | 26.9 mpg | 5.6 s |
| 3.7 V6 GT Pack with Connect Premium 2dr | £35,050 | 26.7 mpg | 5.3 s |
| 3.7 V6 GT Pack with Connect Premium Auto 2dr | £36,500 | 26.9 mpg | 5.6 s |
On sale until July 2009
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 3.7 V6 GT Ultimate | £32,225 | 26.9 mpg | 5.3 s |
| 3.7 V6 GT Ultimate Auto | £32,225 | - | - |
Model History
- February 1010: 370Z Black Edition marks the 40th anniversary of Nissan's Z Cars
- November 2008: 370Z unveiled
- May 2011: Nissan introduces the 370Z GT Edition
- August 2017: Nissan 370Z updated for MY2018
February 1010
370Z Black Edition marks the 40th anniversary of Nissan's Z Cars
Available from April 2010 as a coupé only, and in a limited edition run of just 370 units in Europe, it comes in two distinctive metallic shades: black and quartz. Both paints use Nissan’s pioneering Scratch Shield technology, ’healing’ the finish in the case of stone chip damage. It gets dark grey 19-inch aluminium forged RAYS wheels, eye-catching red brake callipers and a 40th Anniversary emblem on the back door
The Black Edition comes as standard with Nissan’s next generation combined audio and navigation system, offering improved ease-of-operation, new and updated features. At its heart is a high performance Hard Disk Drive (HDD) navigation system that offers customer audio storage capacity of 9.3GB.
November 2008
370Z unveiled
370Z now has a shorter wheelbase, greater use of lightweight body materials, new engine with more horsepower and the option of a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, as well as the world’s first synchronised down/up shift rev control system for the manual transmission.
The more compact exterior dimensions and expanded use of lightweight materials help reduce weight, while at the same time the body structure has been extensively reinforced, improving rigidity. The traditional 2-seat interior is built around a deeply scooped instrument panel with a full-length centre console separating the driver and passenger’s seat. In the rear is an open luggage area with enhanced storage and accessibility.
Interior packaging is also enhanced from the previous generation, including the removal of the rear strut brace (replaced with less intrusive structural reinforcements) and by adding a new ‘shelf’ area behind the seats, creating an ideal area for storing briefcases. A retractable cover is standard on the 370Z and a locking glove compartment has been added.
The new 370Z is now powered by a 3.7-litre VQ37VHR engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift). Along with its larger displacement, the new engine gives better power delivery all the way to the 7,000rpm redline, improved low-end power and more high-end torque, creating an entirely new driving experience. Approximately 35 percent of the engine’s parts are new, versus the previous design. Power is rated at 331PS, while torque is 366Nm. Engine output figures for Europe are subject to homologation.
The new engine is backed by a choice of two new advanced transmissions, both designed to improve driver performance. The newly improved close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox includes the world’s first synchronised down/up shift rev control system, which allows drivers of any skill level to experience perfectly smooth gear shifts every time. The ‘Synchro Rev Control’ function automatically adjusts engine speed when changing gear to the exact speed of the next gear position, essentially ‘blipping’ the throttle to smooth out any down/up shifts.
On-line ordering commences 2nd February 2009. Three trim levels – 370Z, GT Pack and GT Ultimate. Customer deliveries expected in July 2009. The entry level 370Z, priced at £26,895, comes with Intelligent Key, engine stop/start button, power adjustable seats, climate controlled air-conditioning, 18” alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlamps, curtain airbag, alarm, audio with auxiliary input and Bluetooth hands free phone connection.
GT Pack priced at £30,195 gets 19-inch forged RAYS alloy wheels, heated seats trimmed in black suede and leather, a six-CD Bose audio system with eight speakers, cruise control, speed limiter and Synchro Rev Control; a new innovation that automatically matches the revs, during up and down-shifts, with the manual gearbox, making gear changes faster and smoother.
Top of the range and priced at £31,895 is the GT Ultimate which includes Persimmon suede leather along with a DVD satellite navigation system with full European mapping covering 33 countries and voice guidance in seven languages. Hands free operation is possible with voice recognition which also integrates with the MP3 compatible audio system.
As well as the introduction of the Synchro Rev Control to the six-speed manual gearbox, the 370Z is now offered with a new 7-speed automatic priced at £1,400. It is equipped with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and is designed to offer quick, manual-like shifting when operated in manual mode, using either the gear selector or paddles behind the steering wheel. In automatic mode, the driver can relax and let the gearbox change gear, reacting to the driving style to choose the most appropriate shift-mapping.
Metallic paint is the only other option available for £450 and with this you also get Nissan’s Scratch Shield Paint, which, thanks to its advanced resin coat, automatically repairs light scratches and blemishes typically caused by light stone chips.
- 370Z Coupe 6-speed manual £26,895
- 370Z Coupe GT 6-speed manual £30,195
- 370Z Coupe GT Ultimate 6-speed manual £31,895
- 370Z Coupe 7-speed automatic £28,295
- 370Z Coupe GT 7-speed automatic £31,745
- 370Z Coupe GT Ultimate 7-speed automatic £33,295
May 2011
Nissan introduces the 370Z GT Edition
There are three special body colour choices, side stripes and darkened 19-inch alloy wheels along with suspension changes to enhance ride comfort and high speed handling.
To celebrate in Nissan’s global success in GT racing and 40 years of Z in the UK a special ‘GT Edition’ is being unleashed. Offering special body colours, unique GT stripes, darkened 19inch RAYS forged alloy wheels and a number of significant suspension and equipment changes.
Grey ‘GT' stripes running along the flanks of the car contrast with each of the special edition's three body colours - Pearl White, Kuro (metallic) black and Black Rose, the latter shade is exclusive to GT Edition. The exterior is set off by the standard 19inch RAYS forged alloy wheels finished in a dramatic dark anthracite colour.
In deference to the higher average speeds routinely enjoyed in Europe, changes to the GT chassis have been engineered by technicians from Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) based in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. The principal modification has been to retune the dampers to provide the ideal balance between ride comfort and high-speed handling.
Equipment changes include the arrival of a rear view parking camera as part of the Premium Connect satellite navigation system and the fitment of a tyre pressure monitoring system. The advanced seven-speed automatic option now has a snow mode which, when applied, sets the car off in second gear and controls engine revs to prevent wheel spin on ice or snow. Refinement is enhanced by revisions to underbody insulation to reduce road noise.
The new GT Edition 370Z is available to order from participating 370Z dealers with first deliveries expected from 1 June 2011 and priced from £35,000.
August 2017
Nissan 370Z updated for MY2018
Upgrades include black door handles and a black rear bumper fascia. Dark-tinted headlamps and rear combination lights – previously only available on the NISMO model – are now standard. It's priced from £29,185 OTR.
MY18 gains a new distinctive 19-inch alloy wheels and a stunning new Red Metallic exterior body colour is available (not on NISMO grade).
Nissan has partnered with respected performance brand EXEDY ® to integrate a new high-performance clutch into manual versions of the 370Z MY18. Perfecting the downshift, this reduces driver pedal effort and delivers even greater levels of gear change precision and comfort.
The NissanConnect Premium infotainment system, featuring a seven-inch touch-screen, sat-nav, DVD player and rear-view camera, is standard on GT grade as well as the 370Z NISMO.
What to watch out for
Bluetooth and satnav fault on one reader's 370Z taking months to solve and putting the car off the road.
19-11-2012:Electric steering lock failures quite widely reported in the USA now occurring in the UK. Cost to replace is £1,600.
