2012 Nissan 370Z
With its powerful engine and athletic handling, the 2012 Nissan 370Z is a truly engaging sports car, but its high price makes the 370Z less attainable than rivals like the Chevrolet Camaro. With its quality interior, attractive styling and top-notch performance, reviewers say the 2012 Nissan 370Z is a top performer among affordable sports cars. However, there is one negative that separates the 370Z from the rest of the class: a high price tag.
Sportscars like the mazda miata and the mini Coupe can be had for thousands less. However, many test drivers say that since the 370Z offers performance that rivals luxur y spor t s cars, it’s actually a great value. Motor Trend writes, “In an automotive world filled with expensive sports cars touting questionable bang-for-your-buck returns, the z carries on as one of the best values around, especially in the dollar-per-grin category.”
While critics agree that the Nissan 370Z offers thrilling performance, it’s not the most refined. Some mention engine vibrations in the upper rpms, road noise and rearward visibility issues. The Z’s two-seat cockpit and small cargo bay also mean it lacks the practicality of larger sports cars like the Dodge Challenger.
However, the automotive press maintains that if you’re shopping for performance, the 370Z’s positive attributes outweigh its shortcomings. While many affordable sports cars make you add expensive engine options to get the most performance, the base 2012 Nissan 370Z is extremely capable right out of the box.
The 2012 Nissan 370Z is available as a coupe or roadster in three trims: base, Touring and NISMO. A V6 engine and manual transmission are standard equipment, while an automatic transmission is optional. The 370Z sees no major changes for the 2012 model year.
Test drivers say the 2012 370Z’s power and agility make it a blast to drive. Motor Trend reports, “The Z sticks hard and goes fast, and with the center console knee pads and supportive seats, you're always set in the proper position to command its athletic moves.”
Critics agree that the 2012 Nissan 370Z will get you noticed. “The brunette in the dark SUV caught me off guard,” writes Cars.com. “‘I like your car!’ she hollered. ... Such was the attention Nissan's 370Z roadster drew out on the road — not bad for a car that's been around two years.”
Critics love the 2012 Nissan 370Z’s functional dash layout and high-quality materials. However, if you’re looking for a daily driver, some say that its cabin noise and small size make it a poor choice.
The 2012 Nissan 370Z has not been crash tested by the federal government or the insurance industry.
The 2012 Nissan 370Z reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from j.d. power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). A three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty comes with the 2012 Nissan 370Z.