Review Nissan 350Z Elegant Red Bodykit Edition
After years in the wilderness Nissan has made a properly sorted and internationally appealing sportscar called the Nissan 350Z. It’s far from perfect, but the rawness and emotion it dishes up is almost unique in this price range.
Comfort
Ride comfort isn't great in the stiffly sprung and unforgiving 350Z, but the refined and ergonomically logical cabin means it's still a place you can get very used to.
11 out of 20
Performance
Nissan's 3.5-litre V6 provides the Z with 309bhp, making it good for a limited 155mph and capable of hitting 60mph in under six seconds. The real selling point of this drive train, however, is the feel and the sounds as you get there.
18 out of 20
Cool
The 350Z still stands out for its beefy, unusual styling and gets cool points just for not being a BMW or Porsche. Those in the know appreciate how raw it is too, so they'll give you the nod.
14 out of 20
Quality
Despite the use of some plastics us Europeans tend to baulk at in a sportscar, the 350Z is sodding well stuck together and isn't going to give you any grief. The only thing you will be replacing with any regularity is rear tyres.
12 out of 20
Handling
The 350Z is not a car to be trifled with, being compact, powerful and rear-wheel drive. It transmits its intentions slowly and clearly, but a regular one of those is power oversteer. Go carefully.
12 out of 20
Practicality
There are a fair few clever storage solutions around the cosy cockpit, but the boot is massively hampered by a huge rear strut brace. A real afterthought by Nissan, that one, but at least it handles as a result.
Comfort
Ride comfort isn't great in the stiffly sprung and unforgiving 350Z, but the refined and ergonomically logical cabin means it's still a place you can get very used to.
11 out of 20
Performance
Nissan's 3.5-litre V6 provides the Z with 309bhp, making it good for a limited 155mph and capable of hitting 60mph in under six seconds. The real selling point of this drive train, however, is the feel and the sounds as you get there.
18 out of 20
Cool
The 350Z still stands out for its beefy, unusual styling and gets cool points just for not being a BMW or Porsche. Those in the know appreciate how raw it is too, so they'll give you the nod.
14 out of 20
Quality
Despite the use of some plastics us Europeans tend to baulk at in a sportscar, the 350Z is sodding well stuck together and isn't going to give you any grief. The only thing you will be replacing with any regularity is rear tyres.
12 out of 20
Handling
The 350Z is not a car to be trifled with, being compact, powerful and rear-wheel drive. It transmits its intentions slowly and clearly, but a regular one of those is power oversteer. Go carefully.
12 out of 20
Practicality
There are a fair few clever storage solutions around the cosy cockpit, but the boot is massively hampered by a huge rear strut brace. A real afterthought by Nissan, that one, but at least it handles as a result.