Nissan 370Z Coupe 3.7 V6 GT Edition road test

You could be forgiven for thinking that all Nissan cares about these days are crossovers and electric cars. Models like Nissan 370Z Coupe 3.7 V6 GT Edition stops the Japanese firm falling in to a world of volume-selling tedium, however.

The 3.7-litre V6 engine produces a healthy 324bhp. This allows the 370Z to go from standstill to 62mph in just 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. The engine can feel a little agricultural, but there is no doubting its performance credentials. Put your foot down and the acceleration is fairly brutal. As a raw, unpolished sports coupe, the Nissan is a fine example.

This is further enhanced by the handling. The steering is sharp and direct, while the low-slung driving position adds to the excellent engagement. The steering is heavy, which at low speeds can be require some effort, but is good for taking corners at higher speeds. The stiff suspension enhances this further, though it does feel unsettled if you hit poorly surfaced roads and potholes.

Pick the manual car and you’ll find the clutch is a little heavy. This isn’t a problem when you’re on the move. Find yourself in slow-moving traffic, however, and it can start to get a little tiresome. The gearbox, while being short and precise, does feel a little notchy.

If you’re after a refined and relaxing coupe, then it’s probably best to stay clear of the 370Z. The engine noise crosses somewhere between V6 grumble and agricultural, while the road noise is very audible. If you can put up with this noise, or just turn the stereo up loud enough, then the Nissan is a very good car.

One of the big issues with the Nissan 370Z is the running costs. With emissions of 248g/km you’ll have to pay a rather eye-watering £460 per year in road tax, not to mention the £815 in first year tax. At the same time the average claimed fuel economy is a rather minute 26.7mpg.

In terms of power to price, the Nissan 370Z is well ahead of some of its main rivals at just £35,161. The Audi TT RS Coupe 2.5-litre manual, which produces 335bhp with a quicker 0-62mph time of 4.5s, costs £45,860 – a substantial £10,000 more than the 370Z we tested. The BMW Z4 sDrive35is making 335bhp, is also £10,000 more than the Japanese coupe.

Of course these cars offer more in the way of comfort and premium feel. If you’re main priorities are high performance at a lower purchase price, however, then the 370Z represents a very good choice.

This does translate to the interior feel of the car. While the Audi and BMW offer a well-finished and premium feeling cabin, the Nissan’s interior is more in line with its lower price. The manufacturer might possibly point to the focus being on substance rather than style, but some added touches of higher grade materials would help enhance the inside the car somewhat.

What customers do get for there £35,161 is a long list of standard equipment including rain sensing wipers, auto headlights, cruise control, climate control, heated seats, driver lumbar support, aux in point, Bluetooth with steering wheel controls, six-CD changer, Bose sound system, reversing camera, touch screen sat nav and DVD player.

If you’re willing to accept performance over comfort on the pretence that this is a car focused purely on engagement rather than a relaxing place to be, then the Nissan 370Z is a very good choice. But if you want a closer mix of the two then you may have stretch your budget and head over to the German brands.

To read the full Nissan 370Z review, go here.

Also consider:

Infiniti G Coupe

Part of Nissan’s luxury brand, the G Coupe offers a mix of good performance and refinement. Small number of dealers and high running costs are a problem, however.

Audi TT RS coupe

Much more expensive than the 370Z, but offers excellent performance and is a more refined and premium-feeling product.

Porsche Cayman

A perfectly balanced coupe, that offers superb performance and handling. More affordable and less intimidating than the Porsche 911.