2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Review
The 2009 model year must have been a frustrating one for fans of the legendary Nissan Z. For maximum power, the redesigned 370Z Coupe hit the scene in the spring, while those looking for the open-air enjoyment of the Roadster had to make do with the carryover 350Z. Luckily, the 2010 model year will be kind to all Z fans as it offers the all-new Nissan 370Z Roadster. As impressed as I was with both the 370Z Coupe and 350Z Roadster earlier this year, Nissan recently gave me the chance to check out the redesigned Z Roadster for an enjoyable week in Florida's convertible-friendly November weather.
For 2010, the 370Z Roadster is all new with a styling that closely matches the 370Z Coupe, and it is available in two different trim levels (370Z and 370Z Touring) with a starting MSRP of $36,970. The well-equipped 370Z Roadster Touring that I drove had a base MSRP of $40,520 and an as-tested price of $46,205 with the addition of the car's only two option packages available and the destination charge. With its increase in power and a styling that is much sportier than its predecessor, the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster is now even better equipped to dominate other enthusiast convertibles that include the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Audi TT and even the Ford Mustang.
2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Exterior
Instead of just chopping the top of the 370Z Coupe, Nissan actually injected the new Z Roadster with a unique styling that gives the car its own personality despite sharing the same front sheet metal. Normally, the openness of most convertibles comes at the expense of styling and handling, but Nissan designed the new Z Roadster with no such compromises. Where the 350Z Roadster was pretty much straight from the convertible top boot back through the decklid, the 370Z Roadster's lines behind the front doors are much curvier and actually help to accentuate the widely flared rear wheel arches. Even with the top up, the upswept convertible boot gives the car stunning lines. Not only does the design help make the new Z look sportier than its predecessor, but the noticeable size difference (the new car has a wheelbase about four inches shorter and an overall width that is about an inch wider) also gives the car a much more athletic stance. The L-shaped headlights are Bi-Xenon, while the similarly shaped taillights use LED lighting for the parking and brake lights.
Most automakers are switching to (or at least offering) retractable hard top convertibles, but Nissan stuck with the cloth top for the all new Z Roadster to help reduce weight. As if the basic styling of the 370Z Roadster isn't already good enough, this test model came in Nissan's Platinum Graphite hue and the no charge option Bordeaux (burgundy) top resulting in a color combination that is very Aston Martin-ish. The top retracts at the touch of a button in just 20 seconds, and it packs away neatly into a separate compartment so as not to completely eliminate the 370Z Roadster's trunk space (rated at 4.2 cubic feet).
2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Interior
The main draw of the new Z is its dual-purpose nature between the road and track, and the cabin delivers a comfortable balance between the two. Matching the stylish cloth top, this Roadster's cabin featured burgundy leather sport bucket seats to contrast the otherwise dark grey interior. To protect the occupants from excessive side to side motions common in road course turns, the door panels and knee protectors are heavily padded to prevent injury, and they are covered in stitched, suede leather. Continuing the tradition from the original Z, the 370Z has three gauges (engine temperature, battery voltage and a digital clock) mounted atop the instrument panel above the center stack, while the main gauge cluster mimics the previous Z as it tilts with the steering column. The styling of this Roadster was finished off with factory add-ons such as illuminated door sills ($200) and embroidered floor mates ($115) both of which featured the iconic Z logo.
As the only option package for the interior, this car was equipped with Nissan's high-quality navigation system ($1,850) that is among the best factory systems on the market, and it allows for music to be played through the Bose audio system through the 9.3 gigabyte hard drive, the USB port and streaming Bluetooth. XM NavTraffic and NavWeather are also a part of this package and deliver live traffic and weather alerts which is handy when driving among Florida's unpredictable weather and drivers.
2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Performance & Handling
Like the hardtop 370Z, the Roadster uses Nissan's VQ37VHR 3.7-liter V-6 which produces 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The 2010 Z Roadster is available with a seven-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission, and thankfully this test vehicle was equipped with the latter. Despite its powerful engine, the 370Z isn't a gas-hungry sports car as it gets respectable EPA fuel economy estimates of 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway running on premium gasoline.
The 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster is a truly well-balanced vehicle that feels just as good on the track as it does on the highway, and I got to experience this first hand. Following an afternoon of piloting a 370Z Coupe around the Homestead-Miami Speedway, I had the 370Z Roadster on a five-hour interstate road trip (both cars were Touring models with the optional Sport Package). I was impressed by the car's abilities on the track in the road course sections along with the high-banked turns, but the fact that this same setup is also a comfortable highway cruiser makes the car both practical and fun.
Those who would be interested in taking their 370Z Roadster to the track should definitely opt for the aforementioned Sport Package. The $2,800 package adds sport brakes, 19-inch RAYS wheels and staggered width sport tires. Besides the stylish RAYS wheels which have subtle Zs forged into each of the five spokes, the best part of this optional package is the addition of SynchroRev Match (or S Mode). Similar to the Downshift Rev Matching of the automatic, SynchroRev Match automatically revs the engine to an optimal rpm during downshifts. Although the S Mode can be turned off for everyday driving, it does eliminate the need for heel-toeing during track driving. Further increasing the handling and track prowess of the Roadster, Nissan managed to keep the curb weight relatively low at 3,497 pounds - just 183 pounds heavier than the 370Z Coupe and an impressive 98 pounds lighter than the 2009 Z Roadster.
2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Safety
The 2010 Z Roadster has yet to be tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but it does come with a long list of safety features. This test car came standard with a total of six airbags (including seat-mounted and door-mounted side-impact protection), active head restraints, electronic brake-force distribution with brake assist, four-wheel anti-lock brake system, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control and vehicle dynamic control.
Summary
In true Nissan Z fashion, the 2010 370Z Roadster balances a stunning design with class-leading performance, but this test vehicle also offered impressive ambiance thanks to advanced cabin tech options. Making the Z an even more impressive car, it is a very well-balanced machine that is handles just as well on the track for enthusiast driving as it does on the road when driving around town. Either way, the all-new Nissan 370Z Roadster is probably one of the most fun-to-drive vehicles currently on the market.
Nissan provided a vehicle for this review.
Select photos by Jeffrey N. Ross