2018 Nissan 370Z Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byJames Riswick
Edmunds Contributor
James Riswick is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.Pros
- Sharp steering and precise handling around turns
- One of the few two-seaters at its price point
Cons
- Very loud with abundant road noise and unrefined engine
- Inconsistent control efforts make it difficult to drive smoothly
- Huge blind spots
- Base trim missing common standard features
What’s new
For 2018, the 370Z gets subtle styling enhancements, including darkened light housings front and back, a revised lower rear fascia and different 19-inch wheels. Manual-equipped cars get a new high-performance clutch, and a new Heritage Edition effectively adds some special graphics to the base 370Z coupe with the option of black or yellow paint. Finally, the base Nismo trim has been dropped, leaving only the Nismo Tech behind.
Vehicle overview
There is a decided lack of affordable sports cars these days. In fact, you wouldn't need all your fingers to count them. So we should celebrate the fact that the 2018 Nissan 370Z is so singularly focused on being a sports car with its two seats, small dimensions and powerful, non-turbocharged V6 engine.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Nissan 370Z 2dr Coupe (3.7L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.15 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$240/mo
370Z Base
vs
$182/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Unfortunately, this generation 370Z came out for 2009. There hasn't been a full redesign since, which is an eternity in car terms, and Nissan hasn't made many substantive updates either. That means the 370Z continues to be just as unrefined and inconvenient for your daily drive as it was about a decade ago, but now it has also been surpassed in performance by newer competitors.
These rivals also provide more features and a more livable driving experience. You could probably get by knowing that the Z lacks advanced accident avoidance safety features or smartphone features such as Apple CarPlay. But the 370Z is so dated, it doesn't even come standard with a USB port.
Having a back-to-basics sports car certainly doesn't have to be a bad thing. But when competitors outdo the 370Z in both performance and livability, it's hard to recommend.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
While you'll undoubtedly appreciate the 2018 Nissan 370Z's sports car design, its dated design puts it at a disadvantage against other modern performance cars. It lacks many of the latest technology features, isn't particularly fast, and suffers from high levels of cabin noise.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Nissan 370Z Base Coupe (3.7L V6 | 6-speed Manual | RWD).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current 370Z has received some revisions, including a new high-performance clutch for 2018. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's 370Z.
Scorecard
| Overall | |
| Driving | 3.0 |
| Comfort | 3.0 |
| Interior | 3.0 |
| Utility | 2.5 |
| Technology | 2.0 |
Driving
3.0Performance is average in most categories. The 370Z's brutish shifter deserves some of the blame (especially without the SynchroRev Match function). Brake pedal sensitivity negatively impacts drivability to the point that it requires practice to master. Handling is average for the segment.
Comfort
3.0Comfort is not the strong suit of any car with sporting intentions, and the 370Z reflects these norms. It is loud, and the ride is firm. If a quieter and more compliant ride is important, there are other options in this segment worth test-driving.
Interior
3.0The Z's cabin is dated. It's hard to see out of. The shape of the door release handle is awkward — that might be acceptable if it wasn't something you touched every time you drive the car. The coupe's fastback shape and lack of a back seat reduce storage.
Utility
2.5Despite the hatchback trunk, cargo space is unremarkable but generally average for a two-seat car. Pretty good small-item storage. Similarly priced performance cars with back seats do offer more utility.
Technology
2.0The 370Z is an old car, and its technology is not surprisingly dated … and that's if you get any technology at all. A USB port, Bluetooth audio and a touchscreen interface are only on the Touring and Sport Tech trims.
Which 370Z does Edmunds recommend?
We'll often recommend buying the most basic version of a sports car if you really only care about performance (and you'd have to with the 370Z). However, the base Z not only does without necessities like a USB port and a rearview camera, and it also lacks the manual transmission's SynchroRev Match feature — one of the 370Z's best attributes. As such, if the 370Z is your cup of tea, we'd have to recommend the Sport Tech trim level. Yes, it's pricey, but the 370Z just isn't agreeable without it.
2018 Nissan 370Z models
The 2018 Nissan 370Z is a two-seat sports car available as a hatchback coupe or a soft-top convertible. The coupe comes in base, Sport, Sport Tech, Touring and Nismo Tech trims, while the convertible can be had as the base, Touring and Touring Sport. All trim levels come with a 3.7-liter V6 engine paired to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic transmission. This engine produces 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque in regular 370Z trim levels and 350 hp and 276 lb-ft in the Nismo.