2009 Nissan 350Z Quality Review

The 2009 Nissan 350Z doesn’t fit a lot of stuff, but it’s comfortable for two occupants.

Car and Driver says, “Interior space is plentiful for humans but less so for their trinkets and belongings.” A rear suspension brace “compromises valuable luggage space,” Edmunds notes. Cars.com finds the opposite; the “cargo area is surprisingly large, though, fitting suitcases and a fair amount of grocery bags easily,” but “the large strut-tower brace that runs across the back makes it hard to fit things like golf clubs back there.” Although there isn't a glove box in the 350Z Nissan, there is a lockable floor box for storing valuables, as well as a lockable box on the dashboard.

The 2009 Nissan 350Z provides quite a bit of headroom and legroom even for tall passengers. Most of the interior is padded, including the armrests, which is helpful for those passengers riding with a driver looking to get the most out of the performance of this little sportscar. Even the center console is padded to protect the knees during sharp turns. As MyRide.com says, "In relation to other high-performance coupes, the 350Z…is actually quite inviting."

The gauges and controls are clearly marked and typically easily accessible, although Consumer Guide believes that in the 350Z, Nissan’s “audio buttons are a bit undersized to operate easily while driving."

According to a wide range of reviews, the driving position of the 2009 350Z is exceptional. “Excellent seats” are “supportive and well shaped, with plenty of lateral support,” Car and Driver says. They’re complemented by an “instrument cluster that moves up and down with the steering wheel when you adjust its height.”

Reviewers didn't have many kind words for the interior materials. Car and Driver believes it’s “not fabricated from lavish materials.” Cars.com, on the other hand, thinks “all the tactile areas…were nicely finished for the price.” Edmunds says, “All of the controls a driver might need are close at hand. But some of the materials used in the cockpit seem low-grade for this price range.”

Consumer Guide notes, "The engine and exhaust note are fitting of the 350Z's sporty intentions, but some of our testers find them tiresome after long drives." With the 350Z's powerful engine, there is quite a bit of noise on the highway, which will please performance enthusiasts and annoy road-trippers. TheCarConnection.com comments that the convertible's soft top doesn't provide much isolation from road and engine noise—proving a weak point for those who plan to do some freeway cruising.