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2009 Nissan 370Z Safety Review

February 21, 2009

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Not tested
IIHS

Not tested
NHTSA

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system
Consumer Guide

Like most new vehicles in their earliest days of production, the 2009 Nissan 370Z hasn't yet been crash tested by either NHTSA or the IIHS. However, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that that the latest Nissan 370Z is packed with cutting-edge active and passive safety features.

With the new 370Z, Nissan "engineers had to add nearly 200 pounds of safety and regulatory bric-a-brac," according to Car and Driver, resulting in a very safe sports coupe. Consumer Guide reports that the 2009 Nissan 370Z comes standard with "ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags," all of which help to keep drivers safely on the road and protected in the event of an accident. Autoblog reviewers are happy to report that "the variable ratio brake pedal, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist all work together with the ABS and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) to provide a suitable safety net for ham-fisted frat-boys." In addition to all of the 370Z Nissan's safety features, the Nissan 370Z comes from a strong safety pedigree—the outgoing 350Z earned a mix of four- and five-star safety ratings from NHTSA, including a perfect five-star score in rollover protection.

Another feature of the Nissan 370Z that contributes to the level of overall safety is the commendable driver visibility from within the car. Consumer Guide attests that "visibility straight forward and back, as well as to the front corners is good." The only criticism from Consumer Guide regards visibility to the rear corners, where they find that "thick rear roof pillars hurt the view...but large outside mirrors help compensate." Other reviewers aren't so nice, however, and Autoblog reports "massive blind-spots created by the C-pillars. A back-up camera isn't quite a necessity, but the side mirrors do little to alleviate the pain."

Conclusion

Crash tests are pending, but the 2009 Nissan 370Z offers the latest safety features and boasts good visibility for a sports coupe.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Not testedIIHSNot testedNHTSAAvailable safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid systemConsumer Guide Like most new vehicles in their earliest days of production, the 2009 Nissan 370Z hasn't yet been crash tested by either NHTSA or the IIHS. However, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that that the latest Nissan 370Z is packed with cutting-edge active and passive safety features. With the new 370Z, Nissan "engineers had to add nearly 200 pounds of safety and regulatory bric-a-brac," according to Car and Driver, resulting in a very safe sports coupe. Consumer Guide reports that the 2009 Nissan 370Z comes standard with "ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags," all of which help to keep drivers safely on the road and protected in the event of an accident. Autoblog reviewers are happy to report that "the variable ratio brake pedal, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist all work together with the ABS and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) to provide a suitable safety net for ham-fisted frat-boys." In addition to all of the 370Z Nissan's safety features, the Nissan 370Z comes from a strong safety pedigree—the outgoing 350Z earned a mix of four- and five-star safety ratings from NHTSA, including a perfect five-star score in rollover protection. Another feature of the Nissan 370Z that contributes to the level of overall safety is the commendable driver visibility from within the car. Consumer Guide attests that "visibility straight forward and back, as well as to the front corners is good." The only criticism from Consumer Guide regards visibility to the rear corners, where they find that "thick rear roof pillars hurt the view...but large outside mirrors help compensate." Other reviewers aren't so nice, however, and Autoblog reports "massive blind-spots created by the C-pillars. A back-up camera isn't quite a necessity, but the side mirrors do little to alleviate the pain." ConclusionCrash tests are pending, but the 2009 Nissan 370Z offers the latest safety features and boasts good visibility for a sports coupe.  2009 NISSAN 370Z STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: "A couple of awkward styling cues" Jalopnik: "A much more aggressive look to the 370Z" Motor Trend: "Z offers an arresting shape" The next-generation 2009 Nissan 370Z coupe (the convertible debuts next year) retains the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

If you're looking at the 2009 Nissan 370Z, chances are you know what you want—and there's not much direct competition out there for this traditional sportscar. Among the closest comparisons by the specifications sheets, you could look at the Nissan's fancier cousin, the Infiniti G37 Coupe. The G37 is more luxurious and relaxed than the Z, plus there's more interior room with its +2 seating. The BMW Z4 is a pure two-seater with six-cylinder power. The BMW is due for a significant makeover for 2010. Based on price and V-8 performance, the 2010 Mustang GT is a worthy 370Z competitor. The Ford's newfound interior quality and ride quality eclipse the Z's, while still maintaining a truly sporty feel. Some Nissan Z-car shoppers won't admit that the car they'd really like to drive is the Chevrolet Corvette. The step up to what TheCarConnection.com considers the best value in the sportscar segment will cost an extra $15,000.

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See the Nissan 370Z in Other Years:

2010 | 2009

Comments (1 total)

  1. By tightwaddog #1, Posted: 2/28/2009

    "engineers, designers, stylists"

    i find the term "designer" used loosely in the auto industry. in my opinion, "designer" should be reserved for the person who is the
    auto architect who creative person. he works with the perceptive qualities of the car (like the architect puts in the perceptive qualities of a home). you wouldn't want an engineer to design your home would you? the engineer works
    with ensuring the durability qualities of components the components the auto designer "architect" chooses for his project.
    the stylist ,in my mind , is the title for the
    person who works under the direction of the designer (like the engineer) to put the thematic
    looks into the designers car. the work of the engineers and the stylists should be directed
    and coordinated by the architectural guidance of the designer for the most harmonious final interaction of the automobiles components for the perceptive qualities ie: overall ride, handling, comfort, excitement, appearance..etc.
    engineers working on the rear end of a car for example doesn't have the authority to tell another engineer what changes to make to accomodate the performance of his part but the designer (like the architect) would have the authority and mandate to make sure all the separate components work together. you choose
    your home for its perceptive qualities and you should have the right to choose your car for the same reasons. engineers are primarily component workers who put durability into the cars..durability should be a given in any car. tightwaddog

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