The exhilaration never stops with the performance driving experience of the 2019 Nissan 370Z NISMO! Even if you don’t opt for the top of the line, sportier tuned NISMO model, the 370Z’s performance will still delight and impress even the thrill seeking drivers out there. Thankfully this driving experience is delivered at any level of trim, allowing customers to get into the 2019 Nissan 370Z for a mere $29,998 entry level price ($48,498 for the NISMO base price).
ENGINE & DRIVE
Propelling the 2019 Nissan 370Z NISMO is a performance-tuned 3.7L six cylinder engine outputting 350hp and paired with a short shifting 6 speed manual transmission. With plenty of power at hand, the 370Z’s zippy acceleration and full force of power propels it from 0 to 60mph in just 5.0 seconds!
The low center of gravity combined with a wide stance, beefy tires and short wheel base makes for quick responses, precise handling and ground sticking manoeuvring. Although the short shifting manual makes for quick gear changes and in turn quicker accelerations, the stiff clutch pedal makes for a tiring rush hour traffic start and stop drive. This particular 370Z has NISMO performance tuned suspension, which really puts the driver in touch with the road and handling. Unfortunately, this leads to a very bumpy and uncivilized ride. The other option for a more civilized ride is the 2018 Infiniti Q60, but it’s missing the rawness in the performance and acceleration department.
While not the greatest stats in the fuel economy department, I don’t think anyone expects to save on gas while driving a sports car! The 2019 Nissan 370Z NISMO lists a 13.3 L/100km as consumption in the city and 9.3 L/100km on the highway. Our combined city and highway test drive averaged 12.8 L/100km, but in the 370Z’s defense most of it was very spirited driving!
A helpful feature on the NISMO model, for those new to driving sports cars, is the SynchroRev Match for manual transmissions, which helps keep upshifts and downshifts smooth by throttling the engine RPM to the appropriate levels just after shifting. For the traditionalists and those more experienced with REV matching in sports cars, this feature can be easily turned off by pushing the S-Mode button.
SLEEK AND SPORTY EXTERIOR
The beautifully designed exterior of the 2019 Nissan 370Z NISMO has come a long way from its 300zx ancestry, yet it still pays homage and manages to showcase a modernized vintage look. The 2019 370Z NISMO incorporates modern day curves and subtle aftermarket-like highlights in the beautifully styled exterior. Some features that really make the exterior pop are the wide and menacing stance, the large dual exhaust, low profile, angular LED front lights and the black and red highlights. The nicely sloped trunk line completes the sleek exterior, while providing adequate storage for 2 sets of golf clubs plus additional storage behind the seats.
Even the base model 370Z is adorned with 18” black aluminum-alloy wheels, bringing an aftermarket look and feel to the car, while the wide rear haunches and dual exhaust conjure thoughts of raw power. The beautiful sounding throaty rumble coming from the large dual exhaust is pleasing to the ear yet not overpowering while inside the cabin.
EFFICIENT INTERIOR
The 2019 Nissan 370Z’s cockpit is designed for the driver with everything within easy to reaching distance and all the informative gauges in plain sight. Despite being so low to the ground, the driver still benefits from a decent field of view. The side mirrors are a touch on the small side and it can be difficult to check the blind spots, but with a smaller car this should be expected.
The cabin includes bucket seats to keep the driver and passenger firmly in place while driving passionately and are reasonably comfortable for extended driving. There was adequate storage in the cabin for a vehicle of this size and areas behind the seats as well as in the dash all had easy to reach covered storage.
Overall, the interior does the job and the build quality looks to be there. However, it looks like it could be more modernized with some of the polished piano black materials seen in other Nissan vehicles. Also, I found the number of buttons on the dash to be a bit excessive, especially since most of the features can be controlled via the touchscreen.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I had always been under the impression that 370Z would come at a plus $40,000 price tag, but I’m happily surprised that drivers can experience this thrilling sports car performance even with an affordably priced base model. Stepping up to the 2019 Nissan 370Z NISMO model delivers a little more oomph and some really nice exterior design cues. However, the thrilling driving experience and beautifully designed exterior are reasons alone to get yourself into a 2019 370Z. Nothing more needs to be said!
