2020 Nissan 370Z NISMO Review: One Last Hurrah

With a new Z sportscar on the horizon, it’s time to take one last look at Nissan’s longstanding 370Z.

Misses

Dated tech
Pricey NISMO trim
Competitors have stepped up

Hits

Excellent ergonomics
Solid driving dynamics
Engaging powertrain

2020 Nissan 370Z NISMO Drivebreakfixrepeat.com JakeStumphRacing

It’s hard to imagine a car that needs less introduction than the Nissan 370Z. On sale for over a decade now, the Z has soldiered on largely unchanged, which makes it an incredible reference of time, almost like a sundial.

When the 370Z debuted in 2008 for the 2009 model year, people could still go and buy a brand new Honda S2000. Similarly, Mazda had only debuted the third-generation NC Miata a few years prior (and is currently selling a fourth-generation model, which debuted in 2016). The Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ weren’t even concept cars yet (they, too, has since run their course and are getting replacement second-gen models for 2022). Same goes for vehicles like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the Pontiac Solstice and the Mazda RX-8, all of which have come and gone.

Through all of that the Z is still very much here. Well, sort of. There is no 2021 model 370Z, instead Nissan dealers are selling out remaining 2020 models, like this NISMO, in anticipation of the all-new Z car, tentatively dubbed 400Z. But before all of the fanfare is fired at the new Z, let’s take one last look back.

The 370Z’s fundamentals are good on paper. Based on Nissan’s wide-ranging FM platform, the Z is low-slung, short and undeniably wide, all good things for a sports car. Even better is that the FM platform packs double wishbone suspension at all four corners, which is what enthusiast drivers want to keep those tire contact patches firmed stuck to the pavement under hard cornering. The NISMO trim adds upgraded sway bars, retuned springs and shocks and a stunning set of 19-inch Rays wheels.

From there, the brand’s venerable VQ engine, with 3.7-liters of displacement, is an agreeable choice. In NISMO trim with the fancy NISMO exhaust and specific ECU tune, the 370Z NISMO doles out 350 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque, all while zinging up to the 7,500 rpm redline. Engine revs are managed via a 6-speed manual transmission which sends power to the rear wheels via a viscous limited-slip differential.

ALSO SEE: 2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Edition: The Want Is Real

In the real world it all works together pretty well. The engine feels tractable with solid down low torque but a definite eagerness to rev. Similarly, the 6-speed box features pedals perfectly spaced for heel-toe downshifts, though the chunky shifter isn’t as rewarding or precise as something like the aforementioned Mazda Miata, and doesn’t like to be rushed. Oh, and the viscous diff, a long time ire for Nissan fans, doesn’t like to play ball once the oil in it gets too toasty. A clutch-type LSD upgrade will still be required for Z fans who are interested in track days.

The NISMO-prepared chassis, however, is a very willing dance partner. Stiffly sprung and rolling on very wide, sticky tires, the Z will blaze through a winding road with aplomb. It may not iron out Los Angeles’ bumpiest pavement like the Camaro SS 1LE, nor have the same level of absolute pace, but it’s certainly an enjoyable drive.

But that’s the recurring theme with the 370Z: it’s the middle ground. It’s agile, but it doesn’t want to play like the 86 or the Miata, which beg for oversteer around every corner. It’s faster than those cars, but it’s not as quick as the American muscle car options, which have more muscle, more tire grip and more capability when push comes to shove. For the driver who wants a bit of both experiences, it makes sense, but just as many people will wonder “why buy a good sports car, when I can buy a great one?” and then look elsewhere.

Similarly, the 370Z NISMO’s $17,000 price premium over the basic Z makes sense once the cost of the all the upgrades are tallied up — the gorgeous Recaro bucket seats, the suspension and engine upgrades, and a new wheel and tire package aren’t cheap — but at $47,110 as tested, the Z is going to battle against much newer, more focused, and refined sports cars that aren’t making due with decade old hardware.

ALSO SEE: 2021 Nissan Rogue First Drive Review

Despite that, the 370Z is still affable and a charming. Perhaps the age even contributes to its unique charms, but even the biggest diehard Nissan fans should be ready for a change. Fortunately, it’s coming very soon, and there’s reason to celebrate.

Known around the Internet as the 400Z, Nissan finally has a successor to the 370Z coming to market for the 2022 model year. With unique retro-futuristic styling, the new Z car is an eye-catcher, but it’s really the stats and figures that have people captivated.

Also supposedly based on the FM platform that underpins the 370Z, the new Z gets double wishbone suspension, not cheaper struts up front like the Toyota Supra. Like the Supra it gets a feisty turbocharged six-cylinder engine, the VR30DDTT, cribbed from the Infiniti Q60. Unlike the Supra, however, Nissan has confirmed that the new Z will have a manual transmission, and, if you listen carefully, you can hear the joyful cries of car enthusiasts the world over. If you’re going to pull from the family parts bin, it sounds like Nissan choose all the right parts to pull. Bring on the 400Z.

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