Acceleration

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
8	8	8	8	6.4

Ample power from any speed with either transmission. No opportunity yet to time a 300-hp model, but test manual-transmission Enthusiast coupe with 287 hp did 6.0 sec 0-60 mph. Some testers like manual-gearbox shift action; others find it too stiff. Automatic often slurs downshifts.

Fuel Economy

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.5

In tests of 287-hp models, Touring convertibles averaged 21.4-22.0 in mostly highway driving; manual-transmission Enthusiast coupe averaged 17.8 mpg with gas-eating performance runs. Touring coupes averaged 18.8-19.3 mpg. Nissan recommends premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
3	3	3	1	3.9

Laudable high-speed composure. Acceptably comfortable on smooth surfaces. But Zs pound over bumps and ruts, especially the Track and Grand Touring coupe with their ultrastiff 18-inch tires.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
9	9	9	9	8

Steering precise, though some testers want more road feel. Wide tires can wander along road grooves. Stable, grippy through sharpest curves--if they're smooth. Bumpy corners can induce tail hop, reducing control. Rear tires slip easily on damp pavement, even with traction control. Brake performance and feel inspire confidence.

Quietness

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
2	2	2	1	3.2

Prominent exhaust note befits a sports car, but V6 otherwise passenger-sedan mannerly. Wind rush modest, but road noise high, especially on coarse pavement. Coupe's open cargo area magnifies tire "whoosh" on wet roads. Convertible suffers more wind rush and ambient noise than coupe, but less rear-tire noise enters cockpit.

Controls

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.5

Clearly marked gauge cluster tilts with steering column. Audio, climate controls within easy reach, but stereo buttons undersized. Available navigation system revised for '06; no opportunity yet to evaluate. Available leather upholstery feels rich, but cabin is otherwise full of lightweight plastic panels and undistinguished switchgear--a big letdown vs. many sports car interiors.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
6	6	6	6	5.2

Among the more-spacious two-seaters, though high doorsills, low seating position give a closed-in feel. Seats have good lateral bolstering, but some testers find comfort lacking on long drives. Low-slung styling hampers entry/exit. Coupe rear vision compromised by body shape and, for some drivers, reflections in back window from shiny structural cross-brace in cargo bay. Combination of headrests, small rear window mar top-up vision in convertibles, particularly over left shoulder.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
0	0	0	0	1.4

(No rear seating.)

Cargo Room

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
2	1	2	2	3.2

Coupe's hatchback design maximizes utility compared with many sports cars, but loading large items hindered by high liftover, intrusion from cross-brace. Convertible has smaller, shallower trunk. Tiny door map pockets, no glovebox, but front seatbacks tip for access to storage bins behind. Flimsy pop-out dashboard cupholder.

Value within Class

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
8	8	8	6	6.6

High noise levels and a rough ride are tradeoffs for the 350Z's outstanding smooth-road handling. And cost-conscious pricing dictates cut-rate interior decor. But Nissan's sports car delivers serious performance and high style at a relative bargain price. That puts it on our Recommended list.

Total Score

Enthusiast cpe, man.	Touring conv, man.	Touring cpe, auto.	Track, man.	Class Average
48	47	48	43	48.9

Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		40
Average Score		48
High Score		58