2010 Nissan 370Z: Road Test
2010 Nissan 370Z ▼
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- MSRP: $29,930 - $41,820
- Invoice: $28,043 - $37,826
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Related to Nissan 350Z/370Z
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Our road test for the 2010 Nissan 370Z includes a full evaluation of the 2010 Nissan 370Z from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2010 Nissan 370Z, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2010 Nissan 370Z help you decide if a 2010 Nissan 370Z is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5.5 |
Though it doesn't jump off the line like some sporty cars, 370Z is smooth and strong. It responds well for passing and merging. Acceleration feels little different among all models, coupe versus Roadster, manual versus automatic, and Base versus NISMO. The manual has smooth clutch action, though the shifter is a bit notchy. The automatic is crisp, with its steering wheel paddles a boon to spirited driving.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.7 |
In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission Base model averaged 19.6 mpg in city/highway driving. Another manual Base test car averaged 24.4 mpg, a good result even in a test that included mostly highway driving. An automatic-transmission Roadster averaged 21.0 with a slight highway bias. 370Z requires premium-grade gas.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3.7 |
Our testers are divided on 370Z's ride quality. Some deem it very good for a sporty car. Others find the damping too stiff, particularly with the Sport Package. Roadsters ride similarly to the coupe, with only a slight amount of body flex noticeable when driving on rippled pavement. NISMO versions are firmer still; even modestly sized bumps register through the cabin with authority.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6.4 |
Base, Roadster, or NISMO, 370Z is stable, controlled, and balanced. All models carve corners with poise exhibited by cars that cost thousands more. Steering feel is direct and responsive. NISMO and models equipped with the Sport Package and manual transmission include Nissan's "SynchroRev Match" system, which automatically raises engine speed when the driver downshifts. This negates the need for the driver to "blip" the throttle in order to smoothly engage a lower gear. The system works quite well during spirited driving. On all 370Z models, the brakes deliver well-controlled stops, though NISMO and versions with the Sport Package have larger brakes with slightly better pedal feel.
QUIETNESS
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3.3 |
370Z's engine sounds coarse during fast acceleration, and it's especially loud with the NISMO. The standard tires are noisy on nearly every type of road surface. The 19s included with the NISMO and Sport Package are even more fussy. Wind rush is not noticed, only because the engine and tire noise are so intrusive. Roadsters are little louder than coupes.
CONTROLS
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.1 |
Though mounted low on the center dashboard stack, the audio and climate controls fall easily to hand. Some of the climate system's markings are tough to decipher at a glance, and the audio display is on the small side. The optional navigation system is standard Nissan fare. It's simple to operate and program and absorbs few audio or climate functions.
DETAILS
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4.9 |
Padded surfaces, textured dashboard plastics, and visible contrast piping are used to good effect. The cabin could use some additional dress-up touches to make it sportier, especially the NISMO, but the overall ambiance is far from budget grade.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4.7 |
Both coupes and convertibles are among the more spacious two seaters. Tall drivers will wish for more headroom. Some testers find the side bolsters of the seats uncomfortably confining. Padded knee rests for both the driver and passenger are a comfort plus. The steering wheel tilts, along with the instrument panel. It's not telescopic, though most drivers shouldn't miss it. The door sills remain high, and the seating position is low, imparting a bit of a closed-in feel. Visibility straight forward and back, as well as to the front corners is good. Thick rear roof pillars in the coupe really hurt the view to the rear corners. Roadsters have huge blind spots with the top up. Large outside mirrors help compensate somewhat.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.7 |
No rear seating.
CARGO ROOM
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2.8 |
Nissan claims 370Z coupes have 6.9 cu ft of trunk space, while Roadsters have 4.2. The trunk doesn't seem that large on either body style, but the space provided is quite useful. The cargo hold is shallow with high liftover, and the wheel wells intrude. There are some hidden bins behind the seats, but interior storage is otherwise meager, with a small glovebox and center console. Models without the navigation system include a covered cubby above the audio system.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5.5 |
Though smaller on the outside than the 350Z it replaces, the latest generation of Nissan's iconic "Z car" feels more grown up. While it's on the noisy side, its strong acceleration, potent handling, and refined interior more than make up for that deficit. It might seem expensive, but for all its performance, Base 370Z models are actually something of a bargain. The Base coupes best represent this car's attributes. Roadsters are not refined enough to justify their high price tags. Only serious driving enthusiasts need apply for the NISMO. Its handling is a notch above the standard car, but its noise and stiff ride are too overwhelming to make it useful as a daily driver.
Total Score
| Base coupe w/Sport Pkg, manual | Base coupe, automatic | Touring Roadster w/Sport Pkg, manual | NISMO | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 58 | 53 | 51 | 48.3 |
Total Score: 55
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
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