2018 Nissan 370Z Roadster

Apr 14, 2024, 2:32pm ET

The Nissan 370Z Roadster is a rear-wheel drive convertible that blends athletic proportions with track-tuned handling. The convertible is available in two trim levels, and buyers who prefer the comfort of a closed roof can opt for the coupe model.

Recent Changes

For the latest model year, the ageing 370Z gets a minor facelift, including slightly revised head- and taillamps. A Heritage Edition with special color combos is also available to celebrate the genesis of the Z car.

Overview

The 370Z is powered by an all-aluminum 3.7-liter V6 engine. It sends 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual transmission or an seven-speed automatic unit. A carbon composite driveshaft links either transmission to the rear axle.

When driven conservatively, the 370Z Roadster returns 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with the manual transmission, and 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway when equipped with the seven-speed automatic.

Looking The Part

The 370Z's front end wears an eye-catching design thanks in part to vertical LED daytime running lights and high intensity discharge (HID) headlights shaped like a boomerang. Out back, the aggressive look continues with wide fenders, a bumper-mounted air diffuser and dual exhaust tips finished in chrome.

The Z's body is made out of high-strength steel but the doors, the hood and the hatch are crafted out of aluminum in order to save weight. Packing a 54/46 weight distribution, the coupe tips the scale at 3,488 pounds with a manual transmission.

Life Aboard

The 370Z offers a track-inspired cockpit with room for up to two passengers. The instrument cluster consists of two analog gauges and a configurable thin-film transistor (TFT) screen, and three additional gauges mounted on top of the center stack hark back to the iconic Datsun 240Z coupe of the 1970s while providing the driver with vital information about what is going on in the engine bay.

Connectivity is not one of the Z's strong points but certain models can be equipped with a hard drive-based navigation system controlled by a seven-inch touch screen mounted in the middle of the dashboard. The navigation adds Bluetooth audio streaming and a voice connectivity function. Base model coupes have to settle for a traditional AM/FM/CD player.

Trim Level Breakdown

The 370Z is available three trim levels: base, Touring and Touring Sport.

The base coupe comes standard with cloth-upholstered bucket seats, cruise control, an AM/FM/CD player linked to four speakers, an auxiliary jack, keyless entry and start, a leather-upholstered multi-function steering wheel, power windows and door locks, a storage box behind the passenger seat, heated mirrors, automatic headlights and a vehicle security system.

The Touring trim adds leather upholstery, HomeLink, power-adjustable seats, Bluetooth connectivity, a six-CD Bose sound system with MP3 capability linked to six speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and aluminum-trimmed pedal.

New for the latest model year, the Touring Sport trim rounds out the lineup with a rev-match function (six-speed manual transmission only), a limited-slip differential, upgraded brakes with red calipers all around, a trim-specific steering ratio and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped by Bridgestone Potenza tires.

The only standalone option is the aforementioned seven-speed automatic transmission. Nissan offers a wide array of aftermarket accessories including spoilers, heavy-duty floor mats, mud flaps, airbag anti-theft bolts, wheel locks and seat belt extenders.

Occupant Safety

All 370Z models regardless of trim level come standard with dual front, side and side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Key Competitors

Buyers in the market for a relatively affordable performance-focused convertible should also look at the V6-powered Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang Convertible. V8-powered variants of both the Camaro and the Mustang offer more power than the topless Z for roughly the same amount of money.