Okay, maybe it’s not the ideal time to be reviewing the Nissan 370Z, given that it has been around since 2009, with a minor facelift applied three years later.
We are, however, suckers for rear-wheel drive sports coupes, and given that it’s closing in on its 10th birthday, wanted to learn how it looks, feels and drives like close to the end of 2018 and if it still has what it takes or not.
The reviewer is very familiar to Nissan’s sports cars. He owns a 350Z, so he jumped into the newer 370Z filled with hope. Straight from the start he noticed the newer model to be more comfortable and practical compared to his daily driver, appreciating the effort that Nissan has put into the development of the 370Z.
Also Read: Nissan Z And GT-R Will Get Replacements And They’ll Probably Be Electrified
Unlike more modern sports cars, there’s no electronically adjustable suspension here. Nevertheless, with the balance it offers between day to day driving and the way it responds when it’s being pushed hard on country roads or at the track, it doesn’t really need it. The stiff chassis and responsive steering provide the 370Z driver with just the right amount of feedback when they’re really going for it.
The naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 still gets the job done and sounds great at high-revs. It puts out a respectable 328 PS (323 hp / 241 kW) and 363 Nm (268 lb-ft) of torque, and contributes to that special sports car feel. Hitting 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 5.3 seconds in the non-Nismo versions, and top speed is electronically limited at 250 km/h (155 mph), regardless of the model.
For the price of about £30,000 ($38,755) in the United Kingdom, is the Nissan 370Z still the best choice, or should those on the lookout for an affordable RWD sports model opt for something newer like a Toyota GT86, Mazda MX-5 RF or Abarth 124? Only one way to find out.