• Interior is attractive and solidly built
• Looks very old-school compared with rivals
• Nismo model adds grippy alcantara

As you’d expect of a sports car, the driving position is low down and tarmac scraping, with ergonomic access to all the main controls. Tall drivers will find plenty of headroom, although we struggled to fit while wearing a race helmet, so that’s worth considering if you’re over six foot and plan to take it on track.

The driver’s seat also has more pronounced side bolsters for hold in corners along with extra under thigh support. The finish of the interior and quality of materials used is good but looks thoroughly dated now.

Nismo car adds performance focus

From the driver’s seat it’s predominantly detail changes that distinguish the Nissan 370Z Nismo interior from its siblings. Many of the interior plastics, particularly those that are in regularly contact with your hands, feel well-constructed although for a car of this price some of the detailing and switchgear feels a little below par key rivals.

The trio of ancillary dials on the centre-top of the dashboard, angled purposefully towards the driver, hark back to the car’s 1970s 240Z forebear without delving too deeply into the realms of retroism.

Trims and upholsteries feel appealingly tactile, with a part Alcantara steering wheel and faux suede door panels, although some may be disappointed with the lack of leather seats, even as an option.

Despite being sat low, the view out of the 370Z Nismo is generally good, particularly ahead of you. The door mirrors are usefully large too, which is just as well as the Nismo’s beefed-up rear spoiler obscures about a third of the visibility through the rear view mirror. It’s not so bad for monitoring traffic coming up behind you but for reversing you rely on the camera a lot.

Is it comfortable?

• Suspension is firm but not crashy
• More settled but noisy on faster roads
• Nismo-spec seats are comfy and grip well

If you’re buying a bewinged sports car comfort is unlikely to be high on your list of priorities. Happily though bumps at urban speeds are transmitted firmly rather than harshly through to the cabin. The 370Z settles down a bit on motorways but then you have to deal with noticeable road and engine noise, which can become irritatingly intrusive over longer distances. 

In town it can be a tiring car to drive in traffic due to the heavy controls, although cars updated in 2018 benefit from a lighter clutch pedal.

Nismo car softer than it looks

The Nismo version of the already firm 370Z is more cosseting than you would expect, despite the larger wheels and stiffer suspension. It has been slightly softened for Europe, meaning the ride is hardened rather than hardcore. At higher speeds though, undulations in the road that the regular 370Z would largely soak up can cause the Nismo version to be unsettled and fidgety.

Frustratingly, the steering wheel is only adjustable for angle rather than reach meaning some drivers will find their ideal, comfortable driving position somewhat compromised. Getting in and out of the low-set seats might not be easy for the less-than-agile but once in there it’s a pleasant environment, thanks to the standard single-temperature control climate control with air-con.

Lots of room for two people

On the plus side, there’s plenty of interior space for the two occupants on whichever version – including good headroom – and the seats offer excellent side support while still being soft enough for long distance comfort.

Both seats are electrically adjustable as standard (although it’s hard to adjust them with the door shut) and all models have climate control. There’s also a knee pad on the central tunnel for both the driver and passenger, which is useful for more enthusiastic driving.

On a positive countering note, the Nismo-specific seats are not only very supportive but comfortable too. All too often sports cars are fitted with seats that are hard, lacking in padding and which squeeze your middle.

Other conveniences such as electric windows and the four-way adjustment of the cloth-upholstered seats make the 370Z a reasonably civilised car in which to travel. No need to have a chiropractor’s number on speed dial, anyway.