Nissan 350Z (2003-) Review

On the road

• Previous: Reliability and Quality
• Next: Safety and Security

Rear-wheel drive, the enthusiasts' choice, with a near-ideal 53:47 percent front:rear axle weight distribution immediately gives the 350Z a head start, and it builds on this by offering stronger performance than any of its similarly-priced competitors.

The Roadster feels lighter on its feet than the more solid Boxster, without the twitchiness of an S2000, for example. Its fine balance through turns, accurate steering and particularly fine damping lend it a thoroughbred feel. The brakes are strong, with good pedal resistance, if a slightly wooden feel.

Some may find the relatively low driving position slightly intimidating. The Z Coupe isn't the easiest car to reverse, either, not least because of the reflection of the aluminium-clad rear bracing strut on the rear window. The Roadster is better in this respect, even with the low roof up.

Other than this, however, the Z's a straightforward car to drive. Its controls are weightier than those found in most Japanese cars, better suiting its sporting ambitions, and the driving position is pretty good - a reach- and rake-adjustable wheel, which takes the instruments with it, helps - but taller drivers will find the seat travel limited, and that the brake and accelerator could be slightly closer together to ease heel-toe actions.

From 2007, the 350Z's 3.5-litre V6 has 308bhp - up 31bhp from the engine offered in the 2003 original, and a 12bhp increase over the 2006 revised engine. Torque is a heady 296lb-ft available at 4800rpm.

There's no choice of transmission - just a six-speed manual box, but thankfully it's a strong gearbox with sometime heavy gearchanges, but is easy to manage once you get used to it.

The V6 is a slightly curious engine, sometimes sounding tunefully gruff, while at very high revs turning almost rough, its vibrations enough to trigger the odd interior trim rattle and a faint buzz through the accelerator pedal. Overall, though, it's an entertainer, with enough zest to pull decisively even at a high-speed cruise in sixth gear on an autobahn.

It's not always easy to launch it from a standstill, with its springy high-set clutch, but once on the move, the engine serves up generous torque (pulling power) - the peak may come quite late at 4800rpm, but there's plenty of grunt right through the rev range and it just keeps on coming.

It feels substantially stronger, for longer, than the quick but peaky RX-8 and S2000 with their unusual, non-linear power delivery.