2020 Nissan 370Z Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Although not as popular as they once were, there will always be a market for a two-seater coupe. These sporty little vehicles may not always be the most practical, but they are usually fun. One great example of this type of car is the Nissan 370Z.

This vehicle started its sixth generation way back in 2009. Its age may be beginning to show due to a lack of tech and safety features. In 2020, Nissan is releasing a special 50th Anniversary Edition of this car.

The 370Z is small. The entire interior volume is just 51.6 cubic feet. It is not a vehicle you will be able to load up with groceries or help someone move with. In fact, the cargo area volume is only 6.9 cubic feet. That said, the hatch opens nice and wide to allow you to load whatever will fit into it. At any rate, those interested in this vehicle likely are more interested in what is underneath the hood than what it can hold.

Counting the anniversary model, there are a total of five trim levels for the 370Z in 2020. The following is a guide designed to describe the different features you will get on each trim.

 

2020 Nissan 370Z Base vs Sport. What is the difference?

The entry-level Nissan 370 is powered by a 3.7L V6 engine. It can be had with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. This combination will provide drivers with 332-horsepower of torque as well as 270 lb-ft of torque. The automatic transmission comes with a manual-shift mode.

Everything in the engine is designed to be light in order to keep the overall weight of the vehicle down. There is a carbon-fiber driveshaft as well as carbon-fiber composite radiator. This high-tech equipment is made in a way that is still very strong while not weighing down the 370Z.

In 2020, the 370Z is only available with rear-wheel-drive. This performance-oriented vehicle features sport-tuned shock absorbers. It utilizes a double-wishbone aluminum-alloy front suspension and multi-leak aluminum-alloy rear suspension. The power steering is vehicle-speed-sensitive.

Drivers will find 18" black-finish wheels underneath the entry-level 370Z. It has some of the latest lighting features, including automatic on/off headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, and high-intensity discharge xenon headlights. The base model has UV-reducing solar glass.

Stylistically, drivers will find Z-fender emblems. The 370Z has an aluminum hood, hatch, and doors. It features body-color power side mirrors as well as dual exhaust finishers. For convenience, the vehicle gives drivers a one-touch hatch release.

Moving inside this vehicle, there is an eight-way manually-adjustable driver's seat. The passenger's seat has four-way manual adjustment. Both seats have side knee support. Models with the six-speed manual have the option of adding heat to these seats. All entry-level models have cloth seats and a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

People will stay comfortable inside the 370Z thanks to the automatic temperature control. All models come with the Nissan Intelligent Key that gives the vehicle a push-button start. Each trim also gives drivers the Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, which simply ensures the vehicle detects a registered key before starting. The rear-view mirror is auto-dimming. Other convenience features for this model include a lockable glovebox, illuminated mirrors in the sun visors, and two 12-volt power outlets.

There is no infotainment system for this model. This is incredibly rare for 2020, where even economy vehicle's entry-level models typically have one. The vehicle does have Bluetooth capability and a six-speaker audio system. There are steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Drivers get a USB port and an auxiliary port.

Another area where this vehicle is surprisingly lacking is driver assistance features. The 370Z gives you a rearview monitor, which is helpful due to the difficulty seeing out of the back of it. This feature incorporates a screen into the rearview mirror that shows you what is behind the vehicle through the rearview camera. It also gives drivers guidelines that aim to help judge distance. That's the entire list of advanced safety features.

The next option available to drivers is the Sport. It is only available with the six-speed manual transmission. The Sport trim is upgraded with a rev-matching downshift feature, limited-slip differential, and larger sport brakes. This trim also gains a rear spoiler and front chin aero deflector.

Exterior feature upgrades include illuminated Z side marker emblems and heated outside mirrors. This trim also sits on 19" wheels. Although the standard seating remains the same for the Sport trim, it does unlock some optional features. Drivers can upgrade their seat to four-way power and four-way manual adjustment. The passenger's seat can be upgraded to four-way power adjustment as well. Heated seats are available.

There is still no infotainment system here, but the sound system is better. Drivers get an eight-speaker Bose system that includes dual subwoofers. It gains active noise cancellation and active sound enhancement to take the music-listening experience to the next level.

No safety features or driver aids are added for the Sport trim. It may still be worth the extra price, however, due to its performance-enhancing features.

2020 Nissan 370Z Sport vs 50th Anniversary Edition. What is the difference?

This next trim is based on the Sport trim but adds special features to commemorate the vehicle's anniversary. Interestingly, the 50th Anniversary Edition models are available with either transmission option. Otherwise, it is mechanically the same as the Sport trim. Models with the automatic transmission gain magnesium paddle shifters. The wheels are still 19" here but are special 50th anniversary forged alloy. These models also lose the rear spoiler and front chin aero deflector found on the Sport trim.

The special 50th Anniversary Edition is available in either silver and black or white and red. Seating upgrades that were optional on the Sport trim become standard here. The seats are heated and are special edition for these vehicles. Drivers will find leather seats with synthetic suede inserts for the 50th Anniversary Edition of the 370Z.

Synthetic suede door inserts, which were optional on the Sport trim, become standard here. The 50th Anniversary Edition gets a special steering wheel that has both leather and Alcantara fabric. Shift knobs also feature a unique leather design inside this trim level. Drivers will find unique interior stitching and badging throughout the cabin.

Unfortunately, there are no entertainment or safety feature upgrades to be found in this trim. It costs approximately three to four thousand dollars more, depending on the transmission. Seeing as it only really adds design upgrades, the 50th Anniversary Edition being worth that much more seems like a stretch.

2020 Nissan 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition vs Sport Touring. What is the difference?

The next option, known as the Sport Touring, is only available with the seven-speed automatic transmission. It regains the rear spoiler and front chin aero deflector lost on the 50th Anniversary Edition. Otherwise, it is the same as the trim that came before it on the outside and underneath the hood.

Significant upgrades are made to the interior of the cabin of the Sport Touring. The driver's seat gains four-way manual lumbar adjustment. Drivers will also find stylish aluminum-trimmed pedals. This trim adds a retractable cargo cover to help hide valuables and protect them from the sun.

There is also finally an infotainment system that runs on a 7" touchscreen. This comes standard with a Nissan hard drive navigation system and voice recognition. In addition to being able to control the system with the touchscreen, there are also well-designed buttons as well as a rotary dial to make things simple.

Also included with the Sport Touring is a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM radio services. This trim adds speed-sensitive volume control. Other tech gains are DVD video playback capability, RCA audio and video input jacks, and Bluetooth streaming audio capability.

Drivers may be drawn to the Sport Touring due to its infotainment system and other cabin upgrades.

2020 Nissan 370Z Sport Touring vs Nismo. What is the difference?

Going to the top of the trim ladder, drivers will find the 2020 Nissan 370Z Nismo. Although it technically has the same engine, it is "Nismo-tuned" and manages to produce 350-horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque. That's a gain of 18-horsepower as well as 6 lb-ft of torque. This trim also has a specialized dual-exhaust with an H-shaped pipe configuration.

Further improving the performance of this trim are the brakes, which are a whopping 14" in the front and 13.8" in the rear. The trim has vibration dampers mounted to the front of the frame rail and underneath the cargo area to increase control and steering for this powerful model. It also has braces on the front struts that act as chassis reinforcement. The result is improved body rigidity.

The suspension also is better for the Nismo. It has increased spring as well as dampening rates. It also has larger stabilizer bars. The wheels remain 19" but have a design that is unique to the Nismo. This trim level also gets high-performance tires.

Drivers will find the entire body of the Nismo is designed to boost performance. It has a more aerodynamic body shape. The side sills, rear spoiler, and front and rear fascias are all unique. Nissan tested the design of the Nismo both on the track and in wind tunnels to ensure that it has very little lift or drag.

Inside, the Nismo has a special tachometer. It is illuminated as well as red, making it stand out. Both the driver and passenger seats lose any power-adjusting abilities here. There is also no longer lumbar support for the driver's seat. Heat is also not an option for the seats in the Nismo.

Although still leather, the seats, steering wheel, and shift knob all have a unique look for the Nismo trim. The cabin has red stitching throughout. There are no safety or technology upgrades to be found on this trim.

Drivers who want an even more unique looking version of this trim can add the Nismo Graphics Kit. This is available in either red, silver and black or red, silver and white. The kit allows drivers to add racing-style stripes to the hood and side of the vehicle.

The Nismo certainly looks good and performs well, but is it worth the extra money? For most consumers, the answer is likely no.

2020 Nissan 370Z: Which Trim to Choose?

 

Either the Sport of Sport Touring trim is going to be a good bet when it comes to the 2020 Nissan 370Z. Drivers who are looking for more performance-oriented features should stick with the Sport. It has most of the performance-enhancing features and it comes with the manual transmission. Plus, it costs less than the Sport Touring.

On the other hand, if an infotainment system and other creature comforts are important to you, move up to the Sport Touring. Although no version of the 370Z will give you the latest in tech or safety features, the Sport Touring is as close as you can get. The navigation and voice recognition features alone make this trim worth consideration.

In 2020, either the Sport or Sport Touring trim of the Nissan 370Z is a wise choice.