2020 Nissan 370Z

Nissan 370Z "Fairlady" has been one of the most recognizable car names among enthusiasts. As iconic as it sounds, the recognition isn't a good thing, to be honest. While the rest of its segment has moved on with more power and features, the 370Z has been stuck in the past.

Other than the design and interior space, there isn't much to complain about It is a great handler and performer, is relatively cheap to own and maintain, and has a decent everyday usability factor. The problem though is that back in 2009 when the car first went on sale, the competition wasn't as strong. Now, rival manufacturers are churning out new, fresh models to capture every segment. This has seriously hurt the relevance of the 370Z as a proper sports coupe.

The 2020 Nissan 370Z is available in three different trim levels. The base trim starts off well since most of the performance features are standard. Upgrading to the Sport, you get a limited-slip differential and sports brakes, in addition to a premium audio system and a rev-matching shifter. At the top of the 370Z lineup sits the Sport Touring trim. It is no different than the Sport in terms of performance but has a few more creature comforts thrown in for good measure.

Trim	370Z	Sport	Sport Touring
MSRP RWD	$29,990	$33,720	$38,090
Key Features	Nissan 370Z base model includes the following features:	Includes 370Z Features Plus:	Includes 370Z Sport Features Plus:
	18-inch Black-finish aluminum-alloy wheels	Viscous Limited-Slip Differential	Leather-Appointed Power Heated Seats
	HID headlights	19" RAYS Forged Wheels	Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System
	Rearview Monitor	Nissan Sports Brakes	Homelink Universal Transceiver
	Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System	Synchrorev Match
	Push-Button Start	Bose Premium Audio System
	7.0" VGA Touch-Screen Monitor and Voice Recognition

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Manual is the way to go, no matter the trim. Why else would you buy an affordable two-seater sports coupe but for complete driver involvement? Other than that, the Sport trim gets an LSD, which is a must-have for a rear-wheel-drive car. It is wise to avoid the top-level Sport Touring trim and save the extra cash for more track days or aftermarket upgrades.

"The 370Z feels quick off the line, and it’s no slouch at higher speeds either. The engine does make plenty of noise at higher rpms, however." -Cars, US News

Engine and Transmission

The 2020 Nissan 370Z has a V6 engine under the hood that churns out 332 horsepower, which is more than most of its competitors. There are two transmissions from which to choose, a 6-speed manual, and a 7-speed auto. Both gearboxes try their best to make life easier for the driver, and even the manual feels slick to shift gears with. It has a rev-matching feature, which automatically blips the throttle every time you shift gears. This never makes you think you'll ever stall or run out of revs.

The engine is quite relaxed in the way it makes its power, and being a naturally aspirated motor, the response is instantaneous. The gearbox has short ratios, which ensures that the engine remains in the powerband at all times. Highway cruising is easy, with little need to downshift.

Models	Nissan 370Z	Toyota 86	Ford Mustang EcoBoost	Dodge Challenger SXT	BMW 4 Series 430i
MSRP	$30,885	$26,455	$26,120	$27,295	$44,800
Engine	3.7L V6	2.0-liter Boxer-4	2.3L Turbocharged inline-4	3.6-Liter V6	2.0L Inline-4
Transmission	6-speed manual	6-speed manual	6-speed manual	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Horsepower	332 hp@ 7,000rpm	205 hp @ 7,000 rpm	310 hp @ 5500 rpm	305 hp @ 6350 rpm	248 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque	270 ft-lbs.@ 5200rpm	156 lbs.-ft. @ 6,400 rpm	350 ft-lbs. @ 3000 rpm	268 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm	258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

None of the other cars in this segment offer similar power figures, though their cheaper price may attract a lot more shoppers. Even though the 6-speed manual gearbox is a joy to operate, the 8-speed automatic on the BMW 4-series is much more refined and offers more convenience. The difference is best noted when taking the car on a relaxing cruise through the back roads.

Acceleration

The 3.7-liter engine is the largest in a segment that offers affordable performance. It pulls sharply from idle all the way up to the 7500 RPM redline. The acceleration is quite strong, making you push back into the seat as you pin the throttle. The 370Z is quicker than the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ twins by more than a second to both 60 MPH and quarter-mile mark.

Models	Nissan 370Z	Toyota 86	Ford Mustang EcoBoost	Dodge Challenger SXT	BMW 4 Series 430i
0-60 MPH	4.6 sec	6.2 sec	5.3 sec	6.3 sec	5.7 sec
Quarter mile	13.3 sec	15.0 sec	13.9 sec	14.8 sec	14.3 sec
Engine	3.7L V6	2.0 boxer-four	2.3L inline-four	3.6L V6	2.0L inline-four
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	11.41	6.75	7.45	10.59	6.88

The EcoBoost Mustang is the closest that comes second to a drag race from a 370Z. Its turbocharged inline-four and more muscle-car oriented design work well in favor of it being a dragster. The BMW doesn't fall behind by much, thanks to its awesome gearbox and a light chassis.

Braking

The braking on the Nissan is quite good, although the brake pedal isn’t the best around. The travel is long and lacks a firm feel, which in turn doesn't inspire much confidence during panic stops. The upgraded brakes on the Sport trim improves immensely on this, making the 370Z coming to a halt from 60 mph in 103 feet.

Model	Nissan 370Z	Toyota 86	Ford Mustang EcoBoost	Dodge Challenger SXT	BMW 4 Series 430i
Brake Front (in.)	12.6	11.6	12.6	12.6	12.3
Brake Rear (in.)	12.1	11.4	12.6	12.6	11.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3333	2776	3532	3894	3574
60-0 MPH (ft.)	103	120	128	176 (70-0 mph)	108

The 2020 Nissan 370Z aces over the competition in terms of braking. Thanks to the Brembo brakes, it gets over its heavy chassis quite well, with even lighter cars like the Toyota 86 not being able to match its performance.

Ride and Handling

Just as with the brake pedals, the steering wheel is quite vague, with little feel and feedback, and has no weight to it. The upside to this is that you don’t need much effort to steer and change lanes. Except for the base trim, the car gets a limited-slip differential which drives up the fun factor. Owing to the lovely V6, you can throw this car's rear end around the track and it won't feel out of place.

For serious racetrack worthiness, you have the Nismo. Slapping the Nismo badge on to the Z gives it an 18-horsepower boost. Other than that, it adds an underbody side mount and a lip spoiler. The Nismo is undoubtedly more enjoyable to drive but takes away even more from the ride comfort and utility as a tourer. The noise of the engine will surely feel irritating after a few hours spent on the freeway.

If you don’t want to compromise on fuel efficiency but still enjoy some good performance, there aren’t many cars that would fit the bill. Thankfully, the 370Z is a sipper. With just 1 gallon every 26 miles on the highway, it is a very respectable figure for any sports car. City efficiency takes a hit though, reaching just 19 miles per gallon.

Model	Nissan 370Z	Toyota 86	Ford Mustang EcoBoost	Dodge Challenger SXT	BMW 4 Series 430i
MPG (city)	17	21	21	19	24
MPG (highway)	26	28	31	30	34
MPG (combined)	20	24	25	23	27

The EcoBoost Mustang stands well to its name, being quite economical, but it can’t beat the little Beemer. The 4-series coupe manages a figure of 24 miles to the gallon in the city, and 34 on open roads, unmatched by any other car in its segment.

"The 2020 370Z offers its performance at the expense of nearly everything else. The most glaring payoff for the Z is its lack of a back seat and almost nonexistent cargo room." -The Car Connection

Seating and Comfort

The 2020 Nissan 370Z comes with just 2 seats, as should all 2-door coupes. The rear seats are usually entirely unusable. While the seats are fairly comfortable, taller people might have a little trouble finding the sweet spot since there is no height adjustment. It is best to buy the 370Z just for the fun of a pure sports car while having another sedan for the rest of the family.

The interior materials are quite premium though, and you can easily forget that you’re in a budget car. It reminds you a lot of the GT-R once you're behind the wheel. The front seats are well-padded and supportive and offer a level of comfort not usually seen in cars of this price bracket. The base model doesn’t have active noise cancellation, which means the cabin gets a bit loud when driving fast. Other than that, vibrations, if ever noticeable, can sometimes creep into the cabin.

Model	Nissan 370Z	Toyota 86	Ford Mustang EcoBoost	Dodge Challenger SXT	BMW 4 Series 430i
Passenger capacity	2	4	4	5	4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.2/54.4/42.9	37.1/54.5/41.9	37.6/56.3/44.5	39.3/58.5/42	39.8/55.3/42.2
Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	N/A	35.0/51.7/29.9	34.8/52.2/30.6	37.1/53.9/33.1	36.1/51.7/33.0

The Dodge Challenger wins the prize for being the most balanced as an affordable sports car. It doesn't compromise on practicality and has enough space for three adults in the rear seats. For a more serene ride for up to four people, the BMW 430i is the best choice. It offers a level of luxury that well suits its price tag.

Cargo volume

Just like the rear seats, the trunk is cramped too. The Nissan ties with the 86/BRZ for the smallest boot in the segment. The 6.9 cubic feet can only fit two or three backpacks, which considering the “real” seating capacity, seems like Nissan hopes for the 370Z customer to never use it for anything other than a leisure drive. When going on such an excursion, be sure to travel light.

Model	Nissan 370Z	Toyota 86	Ford Mustang EcoBoost	Dodge Challenger SXT	BMW 4 Series 430i
Cargo Volume with rear seats up (ft.3)	6.9	6.9	13.5	16.2	15.7

Dodge Challenger puts its large dimensions to good use here, offering the largest boot in the segment. Its wide berth also makes it easier to load in cargo. With the rear seats folded down, there is enough space for all your cargo needs. The Beemer follows behind, with a proper utilitarian cargo area that can be made accessible remotely.

Infotainment

The Nissan 370Z has remained largely unchanged from when it was first unveiled in 2009. Its aged infotainment system clearly shows that. It is operated by a 7-inch touchscreen on the central dashboard. Although it is quite easy to use and reeks of nostalgia for the last decade, it fails to match the capabilities of more contemporary systems. Where else can you find a CD/DVD player in 2020? The lack of smartphone integration is a big turnoff as well. Still, it comes with a variety of features. The most notable ones are listed below:

• AM/FM/CD Audio System
• MP3/WMA Player
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Auxiliary Audio Input Jack
• USB Port
• Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Audio Controls
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 3-Month Trial Subscription
• Bose Premium Audio System with Eight Speakers, Including Dual Subwoofers
• CD/DVD Video Playback Capability
• Active Noise Cancellation
• Speed-Sensitive Volume Control

"The 370Z now is in its 11th year of production, and it hasn’t changed much since it replaced the 350Z for 2009." -Car and Driver

Dimensions and weight

The 370Z has always been a small car, and even with strict competition from the likes of Toyota and BMW, the little Nissan feels extremely compact. Behind the wheel, the weight of the car simply disappears, and there is not much effort required to drive this car. Owing to its small dimensions, tiny wheelbase, and sweet power output, you can easily hustle this car in the city. Even squeezing it into tight spots isn’t much of a hassle. All you need is a little patience to get used to its dynamics.

Model	Nissan 370Z	Toyota 86	Ford Mustang EcoBoost	Dodge Challenger SXT	BMW 4 Series 430i
Curb weight (lbs.)	3333	2,776	3532	3894	3543
Length(in)	167.5	166.7	188.5	197.9	182.7
Width(in)	72.6	69.9	75.4	75.7	71.9
Height(in)	51.8	50.6	54.3	57.5	54.2
Ground clearance (in)	4.8	4.9	5.7	5.2	5.1
Wheelbase (in)	100.4	101.2	107.1	116.2	110.6
Track width (in) F/R	61.0/62.8	59.8/60.6	62.3/64.9	63.4/63.8	60.8/62.8

The Challenger hauls the most metal and consequently is the heaviest and the largest in here. It certainly shows from behind the wheel, as the Challenger drives like a proper muscle car with its momentum difficult to control when taking corners at speed. On the other hand, the Toyota 86 is much smaller and lighter than the 370Z. It is thus more nimble around corners and easier to squeeze in confined spaces.

Design and Styling

Storytime: A 370Z from 2009 stood beside one from 2020. An onlooker passed by and couldn’t tell the difference. Based on a true story.

The Z takes its name and molds it into the exterior design. The zigzag headlamps and taillamps look extremely distinctive, and you will never confuse this car with something else, even if you look among its different model years. The Nismo variant also looks largely the same except for the additional aero body kit and better-looking alloys. 

None of the federal authorities has taken the 2020 Nissan 370Z to task for its safety. That combined with the lack of advanced driver aids would certainly fill a lot of drivers with a bit of caution. In spite of that, the chassis of the 370Z comes with an energy-absorbing steering column along with front and rear crumple zones. These keep the occupants safe from serious harm. As far as collision prevention goes, it is solely the responsibility of the driver to utilize the Z's impeccable handling to prevent any catastrophic situation.

The 2020 Nissan 370Z comes loaded with a host of safety features to aid the safety of the driver and passenger. These include:

• Dual-stage supplemental front airbags
• Driver and passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags
• Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental airbags for occupant head protection
• Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control System
• Seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters
• 3-point ALR/ELR passenger seat belt system (ELR for the driver)
• Active head restraints
• Top tether anchors
• Hood buckling creases
• Aluminum side-door guard beams
• Tire pressure monitoring system

Nissan 370Z vs Toyota 86

Until the Toyota Supra starts production, Toyota 86 is the only purpose-built performance coupe by the Japanese Auto Giant. Still, the little 86 has a lot to capture and keep your attention. Approach a corner, flick the steering and pin the throttle. Sideways action is just that easy in this car. You might think of it as a factory-build drift machine. The 86 is also considerably cheaper, although it too lacks a lot of standard features. It is a little slower too in its stock form but has the option for a lot of aftermarket go-faster parts. Overall, the Toyota 86 is a much better-valued sports car than the 370Z.

Nissan 370Z vs BMW 4-series

BMW brand is synonymous with lovely cars that make you smile every time you touch the steering wheel. The 4-series is so much more than just a small budget Beemer. It is a luxurious little pocket rocket. It's just as tiny, if not tinier, than the 370Z, and is a much more premium build. The brand value also shines, and buying a BMW gets you instant respect, even if it’s a budget one. The only thorn in its side is the steep price difference with the Nissan. The little BMW offers less power and performance than the Z. But in terms of a luxury-performance balance, it is one of the best coupes in the US today.

Nissan 370Z vs Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback

The EcoBoost Mustang is the car that matches closely to the Nissan in terms of power. It may be a 4-pot motor, but it is fed by a pair of turbochargers. The result is a 310-horsepower output from a tiny 2.3-liter engine. The Mustang is also considerably lighter, which translates to a superior fuel economy as well. Overall, the Mustang is a better option if you want a lot more practicality while sacrificing a bit of oomph. If you are looking to win a few races on your local drag strip, there are even the more powerful V8s lined right next to the EcoBoost.

 

Japanese cars have always succeeded in providing great value to their customers for affordable prices. The 370Z is just another such example. There are a lot of boxes it ticks on the budget performance car “to do” list. The power, performance, and handling of the car are all desirable by petrolheads.

In favor of all those mentioned above, practicality does take a hit; you can’t carry more than 1 passenger and not more than 1 bag per person in the trunk thereafter. The dated technology makes the car lose its appeal to a modern audience. But that isn’t what this car was built for. Instead of commuting to and fro from work, throw caution to the wind and take to the open roads. Surely, the Fairlady Z will amaze you with her abilities.

FAQs

Where is the Nissan 370Z manufactured?

The Nissan 370Z started production in 2009. The first car rolled out of the Nissan Motors Tochigi Plant located in Kaminokawa, Japan. It has been the birthplace of every single 370Z manufactured since then.

Is the 370Z a good drifting car?

With a powerful V6 engine that feeds 332 hp to the rear wheels and feather-light steering, there are few other cars that can deliver the drifting fun of a Nissan 370Z. It is possible to throw the rear end out even with the traction control on. What makes a good drifting car is the fact that it never lets you feel out of control.

Does the Nissan 370Z have a turbo?

No. The 3.7L V6 on the 2020 Nissan 370Z is naturally aspirated.

Is the Nissan 370Z reliable?

Nissan has a history of good build qualities with all its sports cars. Since it first hit the showrooms in November 2018, the 2020 Nissan 370Z has had no recalls, customer complaints or investigations regarding its reliability.