2017 Nissan 370Z Review

The base-model 370Z coupe and Roadster come standard with 18-inch wheels and summer performance tires, automatic bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights and taillights, keyless ignition and entry, cruise control, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped tilt-only steering wheel, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.

Upgrade to the Sport trim (only available on the coupe) and you'll get a limited-slip differential, upgraded brakes, lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, chin and rear deck spoilers and an eight-speaker Bose audio system with Active Noise Control and Active Sound Enhancer technology.

The Touring trim loses the Sport's performance upgrades but adds creature comforts like leather/simulated-suede upholstery and suede door trim panels, a rear cargo cover (coupe only), heated seats with four-way power seats (with adjustable driver lumbar), ventilated/heated leather seats (roadster only), aluminum pedals, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, USB connectivity, voice controls, a rearview camera, Bluetooth audio connectivity and satellite radio.

The Sport Tech coupe gets most of the equipment from the Sport and Touring models minus the heated power seats, upgraded upholstery, aluminum pedals or cargo cover. The Touring Sport Roadster mirrors the Sport Tech's equipment, but it is missing the front-chin and rear-deck spoilers. It does get the seats/upholstery/pedals and cargo cover though.

The 370Z Nismo gets a more powerful version of the standard V6 and features the same or upgraded versions of the Sport trim's performance hardware, including an exclusive sport-tuned suspension, upgraded tires and special brake fluid and hoses. The Nismo also features unique aerodynamic body pieces, leather/simulated-suede manual Recaro sport seats (eight-way driver, four-way passenger) and a suede-trimmed steering wheel. The Nismo Tech trim level adds the Touring's auto-dimming rearview mirror and its various upgraded electronics features, including the 7-inch touchscreen interface and the navigation system.

All versions of the 2017 Nissan 370Z are powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine. In the non-Nismo models, the V6 produces 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard for all coupes and Touring and Touring Sport roadsters. On Sport and Sport Tech coupes and Touring Sport roadsters, the manual gearbox includes SynchroRev Match, a driver-selectable mode that automatically blips the throttle during downshifts to deliver smooth gear changes.

A seven-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability and downshift rev-matching is optional for all 370Z coupes and standard on the base 370Z Roadster. Steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles are included on all automatic-equipped models except the base coupe.

In Edmunds performance testing, a 370Z coupe with a manual transmission accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds -- the slightly heavier Roadster posted an identical time. That's about as quick as the six-cylinder Camaro and about a second quicker than a Miata or BR-Z, but a second or so slower than a V8-powered Camaro or Mustang.

EPA fuel economy for the 370Z coupe stands at 22 mpg combined (19 mpg city/26 mpg highway) with the automatic; the manual checks in at 21 mpg combined (18 city/26 highway). The Roadster's fuel economy is slightly worse at 21 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway) with the automatic and 20 mpg combined (17 city/24 highway) with the manual transmission.

The 370Z Nismo models use a specially tuned version of the V6 that generates 350 hp and 276 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match is standard, with the seven-speed automatic available as an option. We've tested a couple of manual-transmission Nismo models, the most recent a Nismo Tech. Zero to 60 mph took 5.2 seconds, a disappointing performance given the exclusive engine tune and the premium price. The EPA has not separately evaluated the Nismo's fuel economy, but on Edmunds' highway-biased evaluation loop, we managed to earn 24 mpg.