Overview & Reviews

Of the millions of Japanese cars produced for North America in the past half-century, most are memorable only through their sheer numbers. A small group, however -- including the Nissan Z -- have achieved true icon status. Originally sold on our shores as a Datsun, the Z has offered a special mix of style, performance and value from the get-go. The Nissan 370Z, representing the Z's sixth generation, continues this tradition.

The 370Z stands out thanks to its thrilling performance, sculpted styling and surprisingly comfortable cabin. There are some downsides -- the engine is prone to unwelcome roughness at high rpm, there's an abundance of road noise and outward visibility is poor -- but the 370Z it is certainly one of the most exciting two-seat sports cars around and a fitting progression of the Z's heritage.

Current Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z is available as a hatchback coupe or a roadster (convertible). The coupe offers three trims: base, Touring and Nismo. The roadster comes in base and Touring. Each comes with the most powerful standard Z-car engine ever, a 3.7-liter V6 that cranks out 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic.

Base models feature 18-inch wheels, automatic climate control, keyless ignition/entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a CD stereo with steering wheel controls. Touring models add leather and faux suede upholstery, power heated seats, Bluetooth, and a Bose audio system with satellite radio. The Touring roadster is treated to heated and ventilated seats.

The track-focused 370Z Nismo includes a performance-tuned V6 (350 hp), 19-inch forged aluminum wheels and high-performance tires, a limited-slip differential, stiffer suspension tuning, upgraded brakes, unique front and rear fascias, a larger rear wing and special Nismo interior trim details. If that's too much, one could just opt for the available Sport package (also available on the roadster), which adds larger wheels and tires, spoilers, a limited-slip differential, upgraded brakes and a rev-matching "SynchroRev" feature for manual-transmission-equipped cars. An optional navigation system is also available on Touring models.

Once underway, it's easy to maximize the 370's sharp performance. The high-winding V6 is gutsy, though you'll know you're approaching the 7,500 rpm redline when the engine starts to sound and feel coarse. The 370's tenacious grip and sharp reflexes make it the best-handling Z yet, and its ride quality is also quite civilized. However, an extraordinary amount of road noise filters into the cabin, which can grow tiresome on long trips.

Enthusiasts and novice stick-shift drivers alike will appreciate the optional SynchroRev rev-matching feature, which ensures super-smooth downshifts by automatically matching engine speed to wheel speed. The quick-shifting seven-speed automatic will also likely impress buyers.

Despite its all-around competence and slew of strengths, the Nissan 370Z's less practical sports car attributes limit its daily usefulness. There's only room for two passengers, of course, and its cargo area design limits visibility and utility despite a space-saving rear strut brace. If you need more room for people and their stuff, other "2+2" sport coupes might serve you better. But for those who prize speed over space, it's hard to beat the performance heritage of the Nissan 370Z.

Used Nissan 370Z Models
The 370Z debuted for the 2009 model year and was only available as a coupe. The Nismo Z was a late model year addition, while the roadster arrived for 2010. Not much has changed on the 370Z otherwise. An upgraded navigation system with Bluetooth streaming audio was also introduced for 2010, as was a limited-production 40th Anniversary Edition Z package with unique exterior paint and badging. The navigation system picked up a rearview camera for 2011. The 2013 Z lineup was treated to revised front-end styling with LED running lights, and the Nismo model got a little more luxurious with some options from the Touring trim.

Shoppers interested in the previous-generation Z should read our Nissan 350Z review.

User Reviews:

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  The 370Z car need an ENGINE OIL COOLER! - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By Prefecto2 - March 29 - 9:03 am

  I purchased my Nissan 2009 370Z Car on February 26, 2009. I have been very disappointed with my 2009 370Z Car, because you cant drive it over 4000 RPMs, if the ambient temperature is over 90 degrees. As a result, I only have 630 miles on my 370Z! The 370Z Car, without an engine oil cooler, will over-heat! The engine oil temperature reaches 280 degrees, if the ambient temperature is over 90 degrees, and it will do it in a very short period of time. When this happens, the cars engine RPMs are reduced from 7500 RPMs to 6500 RPMs, and if the engine oil temperature reaches 290 degrees, the engines RPMs will be reduced to 4500 RPMs, which is approximately half of the 370Z Horsepower!

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  Dont waste your money - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By NICK - November 4 - 3:10 pm

  When I bought my 370 I really thought I was buying quality, boy was that wrong. I paid cash and still spent all day waiting why I dont know and I said I wanted a spoiler added my sales guy said no you dont well I was sure I did. The sales part took way to long and the dealers knew nothing about the car. The car itself was fun to drive for about 3 days I could hear every Stone smack and everything else possible, I had water in both tail lights all the little flaps behind the wheels fell off. The paint was horrible it chipped every time I drove the car, when the tags were put on the lot guy ran screws into the bumper why use the bracket? Nissan service was horrible save your money&buy something else.

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  Very dissapointed with comfort level - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By Dissapointed - December 8 - 8:23 pm

  I would drive this for at least one day before buying, the seats are very poor quality, and can cause terrible jostling when driving over any bumps in road, you cannot drive this any distance without incredible back discomfort, I would not recommend this car, the discomfort and non support has taken all the fun out of driving this car. I tried to get the seats fixed, but it was impossible, as per Nissan as well.

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  Engine Oil Cooler - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By Prefecto1 - March 29 - 10:06 pm

  Hey out there, All you new 2009 370Z Car owners need to ensure that your 370Z Car can handle high Ambient temperatures. I live in Georgia, and the ambient temperature is almost always above 90 degrees, during the months of June, July, August and September. Ive had numerous contacts with Nissans Consumer Affairs Department, regarding the 370Z Cars need of an ENGINE OIL COOLER. The 370Z can not handle driving at speeds of 60 MPH, or more, with out the ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE reaching the 280 degree mark, which is what Nissan indicates is the MAX OIL TEMPERATURE the car should operate at. All 370Z car owners should contact Nissans Consumer Affairs Department and demand a RECALL!

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  Impossible to drive smoothly - 2010 Nissan 370Z
  By Ralph - January 25 - 2:03 pm

  Love the design; dont understand why the manual transmission cant be shifted more smoothly; and why missing a couple hundred revs causes a cacophony of drive line clamors. Traded a Z 4 for this; didnt want to pay the $20M premium for the new Z4; but the BMW manual was quiet and forgiving if rev match wasnt perfect. Driving manuals for 55 years; never had one so difficult to master.

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  STAY AWAY!!! - 2012 Nissan 370Z
  By mikegt87 - March 8 - 9:06 am

  All I can say is do not buy a Nissan! At 7k miles my car suffered complete engine failure. Blown head gasket, engine coolant in the combustion chamber. How did Nissan react? They replaced the head gasket and not the motor. Well now 5k miles later the engine is starting to act up again. This goes with all the other problems the car has had. The AC has failed, the tpms system malfunctions. The manual tranny sounds horrible. All this at under 10k miles. Stay away!