2007 Nissan 350Z [ 2009 , 2008 ]
Nissan 350Z
Overall Score - 8.8 (Very Good)
The 350Z delivers one of the best combinations of neck-snapping acceleration, responsive handling and head-turning design in its class. If you're in the market for a sports car, also consider the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
The 2007 Nissan 350Z, reviewers find, is a high-performance sports car with impressive power and handling, a stylish exterior and reassuring crash test scores. As AutoWeek puts it, "It's fast, handles well, feels solid, is comfortable in town and fun on the off-ramps... all the stuff you'd expect from a sports car." USA TODAY agrees that the 350Z represents "a great sports car formula," calling it "rapid, rambunctious and a bit raw." Compared along side the 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT, 2007 Mazda RX-8, and 2008 Audi TT 2.0T, Car and Driver found that "[n]ot only does it keep up with the Mustang in a straight line, but it also beats the three other cars around the track, thanks to the best power-to-weight ratio and tenacious grip."
Aesthetically, "the latest 350Z successfully draws on its heritage and roots without being a simple recreation of the original," writes the Detroit News -- before adding, "And, boy, is it fun to drive!" The Los Angeles Times deems the 350Z "a sports car that comes with plenty of power, striking looks and lots of people space (luggage space is another matter) at a price that, by today's standards, is downright affordable."
Consumer Guide finds, "Nissan's sports car delivers serious performance and high style at a relative bargain price, while Edmunds argues, "For the money, the 2007 Nissan 350Z is still one of the best performance buys on the market." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel puts it mathematically, saying, "The price to performance ratio is fantastic." IntelliChoice gives manual-transmission models a rating of "Better Than Average" and automatic-transmission models a rating of "Average" for their predicted five-year total cost of ownership compared to other vehicles in their class.
The 350Z comes in entry-level 350Z, Enthusiast, Touring, Grand Touring and NISMO trim levels.
350Z Performance - 8.9 (Very Good)
According to reviewers, the Nissan 350Z is a high-performance sports car with good power and responsive handling. The New York Times writes, "The car is fast, agile and great fun, with impressive torque across a wide band of engine speeds, accompanied by a lusty exhaust growl." continue
350Z Exterior - 8.4 (Very Good)
The Nissan 350Z has a head-turning design that earns raves. A reviewer for the Washington Post calls it "a clear winner in the looks department," reporting, "I've driven numerous other new vehicles that mostly went ignored on the highway and at rest stops. That was not the case with this one." continue
350Z Interior - 7.5 (Good)
The 350Z's interior cabin is praised for its comfort, but criticized for what some reviewers believe are low-quality materials. While reviewers such as Forbes like the "stylish cockpit" that "welcomes two average-size adults," other reviewers, such as USA TODAY, complain that it "lacks the rich materials you expect in a premium sports car." continue
350Z Safety - NA
Standard safety features on the 350Z include anti-lock brakes, dual-stage front air bags with seatbelt and occupant sensors and a tire-pressure monitoring system. In recent government crash tests the 350Z earned a rating of 5 out of 5 stars for side impact protection. continue
350Z Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)
The 2007 Nissan 350Z 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). Nissan offers competitive warranty coverage on all of its cars, including a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. continue
