The 2020 Nissan 370Z is a two-seat sports car available as a hatchback coupe that handles and accelerates well but hasn’t had a full redesign since 2009. That said, the 2020 Nissan 370Z features heritage and performance, and of course the no-frills, low-tech experience that lots of sports car buyers crave.
The 370Z’s naturally-aspirated 3.7-liter V6 engine straddles the land between the turbocharged 4-cylinders and powerful V8s offered by many competitors. Variable in its stiff suspension, dialed-in handling, front engine-rear drive design, an optional 6-speed manual transmission, and this 2-seat coupe provides an enjoyable and engaging driving experience.
Variable in its starting price of about $31,000 and despite its dated design and lack of modern tech features like Apple Carplay and Android Auto, the 2020 Nissan 370Z appears like an inexpensive choice for price-conscious sports car shoppers.
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2020 Nissan 370Z Configurations
The 2020 Nissan 370Z is a two-seat sports car for sale as a hatchback coupe that comes in four distinct configurations; base model, Sport, Sport Touring, and Nismo trims. All are outfitted with a non-turbocharged 3.7-liter V6 engine paired to a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automated transmission. This motor generates 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque in regular trim, but the Nismo version bumps it up to 350 hp and 276 lb-ft. A 50th Anniversary Edition that’s based on the Sport trim level is new for 2020.
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Base
The base model 370Z ($30,090) comes standard with 18-inch wheels and tires, summer performance tires, automatic xenon headlights, LED running lights and taillights, Nissan’s Intelligent Key with push-button start and keyless entrance, a rearview camera, cruise control, automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, four-way manual front seats, cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped tilt-only steering wheel, Bluetooth phone connectivity, plus a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
Sport
The 370Z Sport ($33,820) is offered only with the 6-speed manual and provides updated larger front and rear ventilated rotors, red brake calipers, a sport-tuned suspension, higher-ratio capability steering, RAYS 19-in alloy wheels and tires, a rev-matching downshift attribute, a limited-slip rear differential, heated outside mirrors, chin and rear deck spoilers, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and aluminum model pedals.
Sport Touring
The 370Z Sport Touring ($39,490) comes only with a 7-speed automatic transmission and a 240-watt 8-speaker Bose sound system, hard-drive navigation using a 7-in touchscreen, NavTraffic, NavWeather, streaming Bluetooth sound, a USB port, voice controls, satellite radio, plus a media player port. Also standard are leather and faux suede chairs, full-power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support, a 4-way electric front passenger seat, heated front seats, a rear cargo cover, and aluminum-trimmed pedals.
Nismo
The 370Z NISMO ($45,790) gains an extra 18 hp and 6 lb-ft of torque, for totals of 350 and 276, respectively. Also included are a NISMO-tuned suspension and exhaust, 19-in RAYS wheels and tires, red-and-black leather-appointed Recaro sport seats with Alcantara faux suede inserts, exterior and interior decorative updates and an elongated front nose using an integrated chin spoiler. Navigation and Bose audio also come standard. The Nismo also features upgraded tires, a racing clutch, special brake hoses and fluid, as well as the Sport Touring’s various updated electronics attributes, including the 7-inch touchscreen interface and navigation system.
50th Anniversary Edition
Since its debut in 1970, the Z has caused a commotion. For 2020, the 50th Anniversary Edition ($36,420) celebrates 50 years of being a standout. The Nissan 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition is a special-edition version that takes the 370Z Sport, eliminates the front lip and rear spoiler, then adds unique graphics and two-tone paint.
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Options and Packages
An automatic transmission adds $1,400 to the 370Z’s bottom line. Alternatives for the 370Z are limited to dealer-installed accessories, such as splash guards, NISMO performance parts, carpeted floor mats and an Aerodynamic Kit (a rear spoiler and front wind deflector).
Safety Features
Security features for the 2020 Nissan 370Z include anti-lock brakes, stability control, active head restraints, and six airbags — front, side and head-curtain. Modern active-safety features are nonexistent on the Z, additional proof that while it can be fun to drive, the 2020 Nissan 370Z is just about obsolete from a technological standpoint.
Due to its age, the 370Z lacks most modern advanced safety features which are now common on current vehicles, even sports cars. There are no blind-spot monitors, collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, or adaptive cruise control available, but the 370Z does at least provide a standard rearview camera to help navigate its bulk into tight spaces.
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Other 2020 Nissan 370Z Features
After debuting for the model year 2009, the 370Z has hardly changed on the inside or out since. The 370Z last got an extremely minor visual tweak in 2018, and for 2020, there is a modern 50th Anniversary Edition that celebrates half a century of the Z family of sports cars, dating back to the Datsun 240Z. With a red and silver or white and black paint job, the roof and hood design combined with double forward-slanting side stripes return into the iconic race cars of the early’70s.
Performance
The 2020 Nissan 370Z is a fun sports car in its own right but compared to more modern rivals like the 2020 Ford EcoBoost Mustang, it seems like a dinosaur. Sharp handling and responsive ability are pluses, but the 2020 Nissan 370Z can not keep up with more modern rivals.
The Z retains the 3.7-liter V-6 it has had for more than a decade now, and with 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, this naturally-aspirated powerplant is one you must rev hard to get the maximum out of. Using a 6-speed manual transmission as standard and an optional 7-speed automatic, the instant power delivery is a delightful throwback, but a raspy engine spoils the experience slightly. In addition, the 6-speed has short throws as well as notching. With busy rev-matching available on manual-equipped Sport versions and above, it is a lot easier to push with three pedals compared to others in its class.
Fuel Economy
The 2020 Nissan 370Z is no fuel miser generally in part to its old-school powertrain. The 2020 Nissan 370Z isn’t a thrifty car in the fuel market department, but what sports car is? For 2020, the Nissan 370Z using the 6-speed manual transmission is rated at 17 mpg city, 26 highway, and 20 combined mpg. Opting form the 7-speed automatic improves things marginally to 19/26/22 mpg. All Zs run on premium fuel, so expect to pay somewhat more at the pump typically.
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2020 Nissan 370Z Comfort and Quality
The 2020 Nissan 370Z is hardly practical, but what two-seat sports car is? Although the throwback driving experience is a burst, the 2020 Nissan 370Z makes loads of compromises from the comfort and quality standpoint, from its dated materials to its minuscule utility and cargo-holding space.
Nissan has a long history of building comfortable front seats, and the 370Z only has front seats. The $2,600 50th Anniversary package includes 4-way faux leather chairs with a power recline and electric forward button wedged between the perfect thigh and center console. On the exterior of the seat bottom is an old-school roller control to raise and lower the chair, or fix the thigh cushion. For two occupants, the poor rear visibility and the low seating position can make it feel cramped, but what else do you want from a sports car?
Regrettably, 6.9 cubic feet of cargo space is small, so the Z may not be appropriate as a daily driver. Nonetheless, the hatch can store a hockey bag or 2 collections of golf clubs, with some finagling. There’s virtually no cabin storage, besides the shelf pockets behind the seats, the center console, and the center stack pocket, which can each accommodate a smartphone.
Final Thoughts
The 2020 Nissan 370Z is available in a number of trims, but it is missing some key features. Besides a contemporary variant, the 2020 Nissan 370Z becomes minimal changes for this season.
A short-wheelbase and well-sorted suspension make for an excellent handling experience, but its old bones aren’t nearly as refined as I would like. At this cost, however, the great handling stands out as the best thing about the Z-car.
The 2020 Nissan 370Z is old with an interior which was barely contemporary in 2009 and a powertrain to match, the Z’s old-school strategy may put some prospective buyers off. So far as pure sports car experiences go, nevertheless, occasionally age is a virtue.