| Styling |
 |
|
Roominess |
 |
| Handling |
 |
|
Running Costs |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
|
Value for Money |
 |
| Quality + Reliability |
 |
|
Equipment |
 |
| Performance |
 |
|
Environment |
 |
Nissan enlisted every single member of its design team, across nations, to get 370Z's shape and detailing just right. And clearly they have decided to adopt the “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” golden rule. 370Z is instantly recognisable, inheriting 350Z's classic proportions and overall profile. Add to that the entirely new front and rear end detailing, and 370Z appears as a modern, striking rendition of the already handsome 350Z.
Like 350Z, 370Z is great fun on bendy, twisty roads. With tight body control, high grip levels and a weighty, communicative steering, 370Z is extremely well-sorted dynamically. In a way, the handling is very much old-school, reminiscent of the times when driving was more about the feel and fun on offer, and less so about the grip level on the limit or the ultimate body control. In short, 370Z is simply a riot to drive.
The suspension is firm, but it has a degree of compliance that gives 370Z the ride comfort to put many modern sports cars to shame. 370Z's cabin is not a quiet place to spend time. The glorious engine soundtrack settles to a background hum while cruising. Wind noise is also well-contained, but tyre roar is loud and intrusive. The driver's seat is well-bolstered, although more under-thigh support will be welcome. The rear visibility is hindered, and the steering column adjusts for height only. Still, finding a good driving position is made possible by the multi-adjustable seats.
Nissan has apparently decided that the sporty exterior needed a garish interior. Beyond the suitably sporty styling, the cabin feels solidly constructed. Like before, the fit-and-finish are excellent, but this time, the materials used are plusher and denser. Controls work with the expected tactility and precision. We still prefer Audi TT's more sophisticated cabin, although the gap is closing. Nissan has an unblemished reliability record, and the 370Z should live up to that.
As the name suggests, 370Z comes with a 3.7-litre V6 instead of the previous 3.5-litre V6. 350Z's performance was devastating to begin with, and with 329 bhp at 7000 rpm, and 363 Nm at 5200 rpm, 370Z is blistering on the roads, taking less than 5.5 seconds to complete the century sprint. The power delivery is at its most brutal, and aural assault the most glorious, near the 7500 rpm redline. Low- and mid-range pull is impressive, too. A seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode or six-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match mode are options.
Unlike certain pretentious 2+2 rivals which can only carry two, 370Z is a strict two-seater. The low-slung seating position imparts a cosy feel, and there is plenty of head- and leg-room. Cabin storage areas and cupholders are not lacking, too. The 235-litre boot is decent in size for a sports car, but it is unusually shallow and awkwardly shaped.
The bad news: fuel bills and road tax will be costly. The V6 engine will return 9.5 km/litre and 9.6 km/litre, when mated to the manual and automatic transmission, respectively. The large engine capacity will also mean heavy road tax. The good news: Servicing and repairs are nowhere as costly as for premium rivals, while resale values will be competitive, given the strong demand for 370Zs.
From how it looks to how it drives and performs on the roads, 370Z is clearly evolved from 350Z. And that is no bad thing. The winning formula of entertaining the driver first and practicality second still applies. Along with the muscular V6 performance and well-sorted handling are the handsome looks, decent ride and improved cabin—all at a price that undercuts rivals'. Yes, refinement is an issue and running costs will be high. But on the whole, 370Z is unbeatable, offering a package that appeals to the heart and to the mind.
370Z is well-equipped with standard items such as 19" alloy wheels, automatic bi-xenon headlamps, Bose sound system with in-dash 6-CD player/radio, leather-wrapped gearshift and headrest, electrically adjustable seats, climate control, and rear parking sensors (Park Assist). Safety equipments are generous, including front, side and curtain SRS airbags, seatbelt pretensioner, active head restraints, ABS with EBD and BA, Traction Control System (TCS), and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC).
370Z's stronger performance can be enjoyed guilt-free because the engine is more frugal and cleaner than before. Along with the improved fuel economy, the 220 grams/km and 247 grams/km, for the manual and automatic transmission, respectively, are lower than before. So, while 370Z is not actually “green” in the absolute sense, you at least know that your driving pleasure leaves a smaller carbon tyre-print than before.