Nissan’s Z low-slung sports car has been a significant part of the Japanese automaker’s legacy for decades. Since 1970, each iteration of the Z has been lauded for being a solid performer that’s also affordable, making it more accessible to enthusiasts than higher-priced sports cars. 

Now in its sixth generation, the Z brand carries on in the form of the 370Z, which debuted in 2009. In contrast to its competitors, the 370Z hasn’t changed much in ten years, apart from incremental updates to keep it just current enough. In fact, the 370Z has been around long enough to celebrate the Z brand’s heritage with both a 40th anniversary package and now the new 50th anniversary edition for the 2020 model year. While this new edition honors the Z legacy, it has the unintentional side effect of putting a spotlight on the 370Z’s age and, thus, shortcomings.

Nissan 370Z coupe
While the two-seater has superior steering and handling, it’s gone nearly a decade without a major update and it’s missing even the most basic of safety technology like blind spot monitoring. Nissan

When it comes to contemporary cars, a ten-year-old design can look quite dated. But the 370Z’s look still holds up. The sporty fastback coupe’s stubby rear end, long front hood and distinct front aperture continues to be showered with praise from enthusiasts and passers-by alike. The addition of the 50th anniversary package adds a touch more flair to the sleek sports car’s form. The kit includes a two-tone exterior that’s either red-on-white or black-on-silver, side body decal stripes, a 50th anniversary logo, and painted wheels that feature a thin red highlight around its edge. 

Inside, the package gives the 370Z an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, a unique pattern for the carpeted floor and package-specific kick plates within the door frame. As for the interior in general, time has been less kind here than it has been to the exterior design. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the strictly analog gauge cluster, but the lack of information display, apart from a small LCD screen on the top left, dates the car significantly. A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system goes a long way to mitigate that sensation, but if you don’t happen to have it—like our test vehicle—it’s replaced by a storage compartment and a standard audio system head unit.

The 2020 Nissan 370Z packs 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque into a 3.7-liter V6 engine. It comes standard with a six-speed manual and optional seven-speed automatic. Nissan

With or without the touchscreen, Nissan has done what it can to modernize the Z in terms of convenience. There is Bluetooth compatibility for hands-free calling and a backup camera that displays itself within the rear-view mirror. 

Looks aside, the interior is very much driver-centric, arranged to optimize control and movement in a performance setting. As such, it feels substantial and cozy, but it sacrifices overall comfort as a trade-off. Behind the two-seat cockpit is a storage area accessible by a rear hatch that provides a tight 6.9 cubic-feet of cargo space. 

When put to the task, the 370Z proves its worth by showing that it still has the goods when it comes to driving. A naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 engine sits under the hood, churning out 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Power is transferred to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Opt for the manual, and the Z includes a rev-matching system that blips the engine automatically for smoother downshifts. Those who would want to shut this off can do so easily with a button located conveniently right next to the shift knob. 

New this year, the 50th anniversary special edition is a $2,600 upcharge on the base Sport. It adds appearance graphics and two-tone paint available in red and black or silver and black. . Nissan

The 370Z rides on an independent double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link setup in the rear. It all comes together quickly when needed. Acceleration is as quick as it is punchy, delivering a powerful thrust forward. With the manual, clutch work is a breeze, and it’s heavy enough to feel substantial but not tiresome. Catching shifts is consistent and straightforward. 

Around corners the Z feels very confident rather than a nervous twitchiness. All told, the 370Z holds up as a solid performance vehicle for 2020 due to the fact that it set a fantastic baseline in 2009. Hopefully, Nissan will grace us with a next-generation Z sooner than later, but until it does, the automaker seems confident the 370Z is good enough to tide us over until then. Having spent time with this current iteration, it’s easy to see why.