Skip advert
Advertisement

Nissan 370Z Roadster

We drive the revised drop-top – it's the best 370Z yet

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Nissan 370Z
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

It’s amazing to see how just a few minor changes by Nissan’s European team can make such a big improvement to the Roadster. At more than £35,000, it’s an expensive choice, and despite the raft of standard kit, the car still trails the likes of the BMW Z4 for interior quality and overall desirability. But this automatic version is the most convincing 370Z we’ve driven so far, with better handling and comfort.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Nissan 370Z hasn't set our pulses racing - even the recently revised GT Edition we drove failed to hit the mark. In a bid to turn the tide of opinion, the Roadster version has been carefully fettled to better suit UK road conditions, as part of an update for 2011. So does the 370Z work better as an open-air cruiser than an uncompromising sports coupe?

It certainly still looks the part. Removing the roof only enhances the standard car’s dramatic proportions, and the styling remains unchanged for this updated model – all the major changes are hidden beneath the angular bodywork.

Engineers at Nissan’s Cranfield Technical Centre in Bedfordshire have tweaked the suspension and damper settings, and added extra sound insulation to the undertray. The changes have made the car much more refined, with a noticeably softer ride and far less tyre roar than before.

The ride is still firm, but jarring intrusions to the cabin happen far less often, which means mid-corner stability has improved as well.

Combine this suppleness with the optional seven-speed automatic gearbox, and the 370Z starts to feel genuinely civilised. The extra ratio means it’s quieter at motorway speeds than the manual version, plus nearly as quick off the line and cleaner and more efficient.

These updates have done nothing to blunt the 3.7-litre V6’s potent performance, though, and acceleration and throttle response are savage.

A flashing red light indicates when to change gear using the long steering wheel-mounted paddles, and there’s a satisfying throttle blip on downshifts.

However, the exhaust note isn’t as throaty and exciting as the head-turning looks suggest it should be, and the Z still isn’t as rewarding to drive as some of its rivals.

Limited rearward visibility with the roof in place means that the new reversing camera is a must, and the shallow 140-litre load bay is suitable only for really small bags.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £15,940Avg. savings £2,827 off RRP*Used from £9,000
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £27,795Avg. savings £2,400 off RRP*Used from £18,203
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,771 off RRP*Used from £13,571
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,540Avg. savings £3,974 off RRP*Used from £15,633
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price
Ford Capri - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price

Rebooted Seventies classic is now an electric SUV for a low monthly outlay. It’s our Deal of the Day for 5 February
News
5 Feb 2025
Best car insurance comparison sites 2025
Person browsing on a laptop

Best car insurance comparison sites 2025

It’s always a wise policy to shop around for car insurance cover, so which websites make it easiest?
Product group tests
6 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month

The I-Pace shows how good an electric Jag can be. It’s our Deal of the Day for 7 February
News
7 Feb 2025