2009 Nissan 370Z Reviews, Pictures and Prices - U.S. News Rankings and Reviews


Nissan 370Z - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Nissan 370Z ranks 1 out of 8 Affordable Sports Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 12 published reviews and test drives of the Nissan 370Z, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 370Z is a fast paced sports coupe that offers a lot of power, prowess, style, and quality for an affordable price. The Z coupe is the newest addition to Nissan's long line of Z sports cars.

New for 2009, the Nissan 370Z replaces last year's 350Z coupe, and is reportedly a faster, more capable sports performer with incredibly good looks and a quality-built interior cabin. "Overall, the 2009 Nissan 370Z offers up a more compact and muscular, yet organic and sophisticated look than its predecessor," writes Motor Trend. "Where the 350Z appeared to be a long-legged GT cruiser, the 2009 Nissan 370Z returns to its 240Z roots but adds just enough muscle and aggression to give the look of a proper race track brawler."

Even so, the 370Z is not perfect. Initial test drives reveal so-so fuel economy and coarse engine performance as the Z coupe nears redline. But, considering everything that it offers, critics seem more than willing to overlook these flaws. By and large, reviewers find the new Z is an incredible sports car -- especially for its affordable sticker price.

If you're in the market for a sports coupe, consider the hard-top convertible MX-5 Miata. While it's not a coupe in the traditional sense, it offers top-notch sports handling that's hard to argue with. For more passenger room, the Mazda RX-8 also makes a great choice -- though it can't compete with the 370Z or Miata in terms of performance. Still, keep in mind that you can upgrade to the luxury of a BMW Z4 for not too much more.

The '09 370Z is offered in two trims: the base and Touring. Though the 350Z roadster continues into the 2009 model year, a convertible 370Z is expected to hit the market in 2010.

* "The 370Z addresses every major complaint about the outgoing car - namely its weight and sub par interior quality - but maintains and, if anything, further distills the basic Z-car formula. ... On paper and in person, the new 370Z appears to be a very worthy successor to the Z-car line and, once again, a smashing sports car bargain." -- Automobile Magazine
* "It would cost about 10 grand more for the BMW 135i, a car with some similar performance aspects to the 370Z. For about the same money as the 370Z, you could get a Honda S2000, but that roadster lacks any decent cabin tech." -- CNET
* "It's nice to see that the Z has evolved effectively, yet gradually, with its main attribute - value - firmly in place. The 370Z continues to offer the style and performance of European sports cars at a fraction of their price, a tradition started by the original 240Z back in 1970." -- Road and Track
* "The Verdict: At this price, possibly the best sports car on the planet." -- Car and Driver

370Z Performance - 9.1 (Excellent)

Test drivers are clear in their praise for the new Z coupe, which out performs the old 350Z in virtually every way. "Once you press the throttle pedal, it's immediately clear that the 370Z is a different animal than the 350Z," writes Road and Track. "Amidst the familiar hum of the VQ, the new Z leaves the line with more vigor. The hearty low-end punch is still there, but the 370Z keeps accelerating robustly, pulling strongly all the way to its 7500-rpm redline." Still, some auto writers criticize its near redline performance. continue
370Z Exterior - 8.0 (Very Good)

Auto writers are pleased with the 370Z's sleek exterior and liken it to other Nissan models. "Overall, the 370Z - which was developed under the code name C53D - appears to keep the same general shape as the current 350Z," writes Left Lane News. "As previously speculated, the newest Z receives a headlight treatment similar to the design seen on the 2009 Maxima." continue
370Z Interior - 8.5 (Very Good)

Unlike the 350Z, the new Z coupe's cabin is composed of quality materials. According to Car and Driver: "The cockpit is richer than its predecessor's, with graceful contrasting stitching, a kneepad on the center console, and a classy hinged leather panel covering the hole you'll create if you don't order the nav system." Best of all, you can choose to have the interior fitted with a wide array of hi-tech multi-media equipment. continue
370Z Safety - NA

The Nissan 370Z has not yet been crash tested. Some critics complain that its exterior design hampers visibility. continue
370Z Reliability - NA

Nissan covers the '09 370Z with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. continue


Has nice aggregation of reviews from other mags.

Another great find! :tup: For $29,900, I don't think you can buy a better sports car, period. In the article you can find reviews from other magazines as well. enjoy.

Great find on the article. +1 rep!

Another glowing article on the Z. Cool.

But I found this statement a bit odd:

Yup the recent C&D shoot out had the new Z with the win over the RX-8. But the last time I checked, the RX-8 was a better performer over the Miata in just about every way.

^ I found this thread on another site:
RX-8 vs. MX-5 - Team-BHP

heres one post.

Maybe that will help. :)

An interesting perspective on the MX-5, which is a good sports car that may not get enough credit as a performance car. But the numbers they use for the RX-8 are some of the slowest I've seen and they also seem to be using the best numbers for the NC Miata.

Many tests have had the RX-8 as fast as 0-60 in 5.9 secs and 1/4 mi in 14.5 secs. I recall many car mag tests where the RX-8 topped the old 350z. Such as this MotorTrend article where it beat out the both the old Z and S2K.

Compact Sport Coupe Comparison - Honda S2000, Mazda RX-8 & Nissan 350Z - Motor Trend

I've have owned a Miata before and a FD RX-7, so I'm not biased for or against the RX-8. Just never thought of the Miata as the better performing car.

The miata is a little fun car. But I don't feel it's solid built. Maybe just NC?
The stick shakes like a vibrator even in neutral. I am talking about 2 new cars with about 30mile on the meter that I tested last week. almost think sth wrong with it.

Tho I wonder if anyone really buys a bare boned base? ;)