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The Nissan 370Z has several attributes and features that'll excite any true gearhead.
Nissan has a long heritage of the eye-catching, powerful, fun-to-drive Z-badged sports cars, dating back to the ‘60s. And one good example is the 370Z, a car that became popular with its V6 engine, low-slung driving position, unique interior, and drive quality that respects the cars that came before it.
With a complete redesign of the iconic Nissan Z since the 2003 relaunch, the Nissan 370Z was the sixth-generation line that changed the game. Unveiled at the 2008 Greater LA Auto Show, the 370Z came with a lot of interesting changes. Unlike its predecessor, it came with a shorter wheelbase, improved style, and a more potent V6, delivering an output all the way to a staggering 7,000 RPM redline. Its driveline incorporated either a 7-speed automatic gearbox or a 6-speed manual transmission with the SynchroRev Match system, both sending power to the rear wheels. It also had styling bits that paid homage to the Nissan 240Z from the '70s - a model that not only paved the way for the Z lineage, but also made an impact on the sports car segment with its winning formula in terms of style, performance, and above all, good value.
Carrying on from the momentum created by the 350Z, the Nissan 370Z represented the brand’s essence and became an absolute success, selling over 13,117 units on the U.S. market in its launch year alone. Today, the Nissan 370Z is still one of the most sort-after sports cars on the used car market. Retailing at an average of $27,080, the Nissan 370Z is an affordable breed for the car enthusiast on a budget. It still retains the front engine, rear-wheel drive sports car drivetrain layout that defined the Z series.
Even when viewed from a contemporary perspective, the 370Z still delivers a performance similar to high-end models like the BMW 2 Series and the Porsche 718 Cayman, but in a more affordable suite. Here’s why we think it’s the gearhead’s ultimate sports car.
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The Nissan 370Z was offered in multiple trim levels throughout the 11 years of its life, but they were all powered by the same engine: a 3.7-liter V6, as the name suggests. Despite having the same engine, is a slight variation in output. The standard black edition version and the UK counterpart produce around 324 hp at 7,000 RPM and 270 lb.-ft of torque at 5,200 RPM. However, the North American version delivers a higher output of 332 horsepower, and the NISMO 370Z model gains the highest power rating of 350 horses.
Buyers could have the 370Z with the 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters or the 6-speed manual gearbox. The 7-speed auto isn’t similar to the one in the GT-R’s driveline. It allows you to shift manually using paddle shifters mounted on the steering column, providing you with impressively-quick shifts. And with the absence of the turbocharger, the power transfer is predictably uniform. The latter transmission comes with a rev-matching function that smoothens downshifts. However, the system does feel a little too mechanical when you’re switching ratios, which may be less appealing to gearheads who’re into newer and refined sports cars. On the bright side, you enjoy a maintained stability under braking.
Because most of this car was manufactured with aluminum parts and subframe components, it feels considerably lighter behind the wheels, and you won’t have much of a hassle when driving on the more twisty roads. As a plus, the steering is responsive to any input you make.
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One thing we also love about the Nissan 370Z is the number of unique models you can get from the same skin. Take this 40th Anniversary Edition, for instance, which was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show back in 2010. This model offered a distinctive appearance that pointed at the 370Z Coupe Touring model, the themed graphite color, and a loaded Sport Package, along with some styling cues that paid homage to the Datsun 240Z.
Also, to commemorate the Z’s Golden era, the brand unveiled the 50th Anniversary Edition Nissan 370Z (the one in the image above) at the New York International Auto Show in April 2019. It was later sold the next model year, along with the standard trims. Unlike the standard sixth-generation 370Zs though, the 50th-anniversary edition boasted a streamlined and athletic profile, coming in a white and red paint mix.
And of course, there’s the Nürburgring Edition, which was introduced in the German market in 2009. Its limited production was inspired by the 370Z models that competed in the 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring track that same year. The brand only made 80 of these, so finding one of these will take a hard look.
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Over the course of its lifetime, the 370Z’s interior remained as consistent as the V6 powertrain and appearance alike. In another way, we could understand the logic. You can’t fix something that’s not broken. Despite the lack of updates, and because of them, the Nissan 370Z provided its dedicated buyers with a sense of familiarity. Buyers always knew what to expect, a roomy and comfortable cabin.
If you want a more luxurious cabin, though, a suitable choice would be the NISMO, which adds leather-padded Recaro sports seats and a NISMO-branded tachometer, among a few more desirable features.
Wilfred Nkhwazi is a screenwriter, actor, and sports car enthusiast from Blantyre, Malawi. He has written 2 feature films and a thriller trilogy. Wilfred is pursuing an Electric Car Technology program and spends a lot of his time writing for hotcars.com, penning down fast whips, celebrity collections, and everything else in-between. When he isn't writing, he loves to take long drives around the city, make music, and drink hot chocolate.