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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Nissan 370Z

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Nissan 370Z

Overview

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2009 Nissan 370Z Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Much like the original Datsun 240Z, Nissan's intention for the 2009 370Z is to offer world-class design and performance at an enticing value. Competitors for the Nissan 370Z include affordable coupes like the Ford Mustang and Honda Accord Coupe all the way up to premium competitors like the Porsche Cayman and BMW Z4 Coupe. Compared to the 350Z that preceded it, the 370Z's exterior and interior have been thoroughly redesigned along with significant improvements in quality, performance and technology that should help it remain a strong performer in the sports coupe category. Fans of the Z Convertible may be disappointed to learn that only the 370Z Coupe will be sold during the first year of production.

You'll Like This Car If...

You'll like the Nissan 370Z if you want a fast, fun and approachably priced sports coupe. Buyers eyeing the offerings from Porsche and BMW will find the 370Z offers similar thrills at a much lower price.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The original 240Z won fans by delivering great style and performance at an impressively low price. While still a good value, the 370Z's starting price around $30,000 may no longer fit everyone's definition of affordable.

What's Significant About This Car?

Big changes for 2009 include more power, less weight, a revised engine, a new seven-speed automatic transmission and an automatic rev-matching downshift feature for the six-speed manual transmission. There have also been noticeable improvements made to the interior that address the quality concerns of the previous 350Z.

Driving the 370Z

Driving Impressions In motion, the Nissan 370Z's lighter chassis, shorter wheel base and wider track work together to provide immediate, sporty handling. Yet, on long stretches of highway, the ride never feels...

overly harsh and the cabin remains impressively quiet. When pushed hard, at the racetrack perhaps, the stability control system can feel overly eager to intervene. Turn stability control off, and the 370Z remains balanced and forgiving. There is plenty of power coming out of the corners, lots of grip when turning, and the brakes are strong and easy to modulate. The 370Z's automatic transmission works quite well, but the easy-to-modulate clutch, short throw shifter and SynchroRev Match option of the manual transmission make it hard to pass up. Forward visibility is good thanks to thin A-pillars, but rear visibility is limited to a narrow slit of glass by the stylishly raked rear hatch.

Favorite Features

SynchroRev Match
Heel-toe down shifting, which requires using the right foot to both brake and blip the throttle, is one of the most difficult skills for any driver to learn. The 370Z's SynchroRev Match system blips the throttle, automatically providing butter-smooth downshifts every time. Driving purists who would rather match revs the old fashioned way are given the option to shut the system off.

Seven-Speed Automatic Transmission
Delivering the direct feel and fuel economy of a manual transmission along with quick, smooth shifts, the paddle shifter-equipped seven-speed automatic found in the Nissan 370Z is a winner.

2009 Nissan 370Z Details

Interior

Some of the biggest improvements made to the 2009 Nissan 370Z are found inside. The new 370Z does away with the hard plastic that graced the old model, opting instead for soft-touch surfaces covering the dash, door trim and almost anywhere an occupant's hand might rest. Overall interior volume has shrunk slightly, but efficient use of the available space resulted in identical head room and improved leg, hip and shoulder room. The large structural element that bisected the previous model's trunk has also been removed, which, along with storage nooks behind the seats, greatly improves the 370Z's cargo-carrying abilities.

Exterior

Unlike most new cars, the 2009 Nissan 370Z is actually smaller in length, height, and wheel base than the car it replaced, its tidier dimensions contributing to the new model's reduced weight and solid, planted stance. In shaping the 370Z's exterior Nissan's design team retained enough of the 350Z's essence to make the new model immediately recognizable as a member of the Z family. However, the 370Z has a distinct persona of its own thanks to unique details including "boomerang" head and tail lights, big flared fenders and a cantilevered roof reminiscent of the Nissan GT-R's.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2009 Nissan 370Z comes in two trims, base and Touring. Even in base form, the 370Z is well equipped with automatic climate control, steering wheel audio and cruise controls, keyless entry and start, xenon headlights and a four-speaker audio system with auxiliary input. Moving up to the Touring trim adds niceties like power-adjustable heated seats, Bluetooth, leather and suede interior, aluminum pedals and a Bose audio system with eight speakers including two subwoofers. Adding to the safety of both trims are standard stability control, traction control, active head restraints, tire pressure monitoring system and six airbags.

Optional Equipment

There are only two options available for the Nissan 370Z. A Sport Package is available for both base and Touring trims and includes a Viscous limited-slip differential, 19-inch forged wheels, sport brakes and downshift rev matching on cars equipped with the manual transmission. The Sport Package also includes a rear spoiler and front chin spoiler that eliminate aerodynamic lift at higher speeds. Available only for the Touring trim is a Navigation Package that includes a navigation system, real-time traffic information, iPod connectivity and 9.3 gigabytes of on-board music storage.

Under the Hood

Power for the 2009 370Z comes from the latest generation of Nissan's venerated VQ series V6 engine. Producing 332-horsepower, the 370Z's engine delivers more power than last year's model while moving less mass thanks to a chassis that weighs approximately 95 pounds less. Stealing some of the focus away from the Z's excellent engine are its advanced transmission options: a standard six-speed manual and an optional seven-speed automatic. Manual-equipped cars with the optional Sport Package also feature SynchroRev Match, a system that automatically blips the throttle for seamless downshifts.

3.7-liter V6
332 horsepower @ 7000 rpm
270 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26

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2009 Nissan 370Z Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.6

Out of 10

Based on 74 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.6/10

Quality

9.6/10
Reliability

9.8/10

Performance

9.8/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

9.7/10

More fun than a Corvette

By ferraridave (TX) on Monday, January 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 30,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Looks exotic, a blast to drive, you don't see many"

Cons: "Little storage, fragile front spoiler, loud tires"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought a new 2012 370 Nismo Z last January and it is the most entertaining car I have ever owned. With the wing and different fromt end and 19" wheels, don't drive it if you don't like attention. It is very fast and handles like a dream. Traction control and synchro rev match make it even better. OK, now for the bad: The Bose stereo was not available in 2012, but is in 2013. The original tires were terrible! They were so loud, I could not hear my radio, and they were showing cord at 12K miles. Beware of curbs and steep driveways. Gas mileage is not great, and precious little storage space. But! I LOVE this car! I look forward to driving it to work every day!"

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A rocket that hugs the road.

By ellebycul (NY) on Thursday, November 22, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 9,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "fast, hugs the road,stylish, price"

Cons: "road noise"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love this car. If you like curvy country roads it's a blast. If you love speed and not the price of the elite this is the car for you. Going 70 on expressway and stepping on it and being thrown back in your seat is a feeling that is just not describable. It has a bit of road noise but since I only drive in the summer with the top down the majority of the time it doesnt matter.. Stylish and an eye catcher, top up or down I always get looks. Loaded with options, some of which I havent even used yet. plenty of room in the trunk but no cargo space in the cab. I love this car and if you have a chance to drive one dont pass it up."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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