Strengths

Attractive sports-car styling; powerful 3.7L V6; advanced seven-speed automatic transmission available

 

Changes

The Nissan 370Z is new for 2009. An evolution of the popular 350Z, the 370Z rides on a wheelbase that is four inches shorter than the outgoing car, with an overall length that is three inches shorter.

The new Z is powered by a new 3.7L V6, putting out 332 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 270 ft-lb of torque at 5,200 rpm. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or an optional seven-speed automatic transmission.

The 370Z comes in Base and Touring coupe models, while a Sport package adds performance bits to each. The new Z is priced at $29,930 for the base model and $35,760 for the Touring.

 

Value

The 2009 370Z is the latest in Nissan's family of affordable Z cars. With aggressive styling, comfortable, attractive cabin materials, world-class handling and a high-revving, advanced V6, the 370Z offers more thrills for the dollar than almost any other car in its class.

 

Overview

Nissan's 370Z coupe is all-new for 2009. It replaces the outgoing 350Z, and is a natural evolution of the Z car lineage.

The 370Z is currently available only as a rear-wheel-drive coupe, and two trim levels are offered: Base and Touring. Each is powered by a 332-horsepower 3.7L V6 with Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System and Variable Valve Event and Lift on intake valves. Fuel economy is estimated at 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway.

A six-speed manual is standard. A seven speed automatic with manual shift mode, paddle shifters and downshift rev matching is optional.

The nimble chassis is suspended with two-link alloy double-wishbones up front and mounted to an aluminum subframe, with a four-link alloy system out back. Front and rear stabilizers are standard as well. Braking is done through 12.6-inch discs front and rear.

All 370Zs feature exterior treatments such as bi-xenon headlights, LED taillights and parking lights, front and rear spoilers, dual exhausts and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Standard amenities include automatic temperature control, power windows and locks, steering wheel cruise and audio controls, twin auxiliary power outlets, adjustable driver's and passenger's bucket seats, leather interior appointments, aluminum pedals and a four-speaker CD stereo system.

Touring models add an eight-speaker Bose Digital stereo with an in-dash six-disc CD changer, XM satellite radio, power heated leather seats with driver's lumbar support, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Homelink universal garage door opener, and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity.

A $3,000 Sport Package is available on both Base and Touring models. It brings larger, vented brakes, a viscous limited-slip differential 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels and more aggressive spoilers front and rear. On models equipped with the manual transmission, the Sport Package adds SyncrhoRev Match, which automatically brings the engine's rpm to the optimal speed during down shifts, eliminating the need for double clutching during aggressive driving. An $1,800 Navigation Package includes Nissan Hard Drive Navigation with GPS and a 9.3 gigabyte hard drive for music storage.

All 370Zs come standard with six airbags, traction and vehicle dynamic control and a tire pressure monitoring system.