Sibling Rivalry: Nissan 370Z vs. Infiniti G37 – Which Sports Car is Right for You?

When it comes to affordable sports car options, there’s one specific rivalry that it often comes down to – Nissan 370Z vs. Infiniti G37. Both manufactured by Nissan, these models can boast about their many exciting features any car enthusiast would appreciate. With a similar price and so many great qualities, let’s settle this dispute once and for all and see which one comes on top.

The 370Z and the Infiniti G37 offer coupe and convertible designs, with the Infiniti having an additional sedan option. The 370Z might not have the rear seats the Infiniti can boast about, but if you’re looking for a brand-new vehicle, the 370Z is your only option. Both offer different trim levels with many features, and while they might not be as impressive as the top-notch sports cars, their affordable price makes these cars alluring. 

Nissan Has a Long History in the World of Vehicle Manufacturing

The evolution of cars has been a long-lasting, still-ongoing process, and Nissan has been there for almost the entire ride. With traces all the way back to the beginnings of the 20th century, the name Nissan has been in use since the 1930s as an abbreviation of Nihon Sangyo, which translates to “Japan Industries.” 

Nissan Is One of the Largest Auto Manufacturers in the World Today and the Leading Japanese Brand in Several Countries

By the time of the Second World War, Nissan had become one of the most powerful conglomerates in Japan, dealing with metal castings and different vehicle parts. Only then did the company enter the auto manufacturing world, and today, 90 years later, it is one of the largest companies worldwide

Nissan is the leading Japanese vehicle brand in several countries, including China, Russia, and Mexico. In the last few years, it also became one of the largest all-electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers. Besides the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf is one of the most popular EVs on the market today

The Infiniti Line Debuted in the 90s as Nissan’s Luxury Vehicle Branch

At the beginning of the 90s, the Japanese government imposed export regulations for the US market, making it more profitable for manufacturers to offer more expensive vehicles. So, around the same time Honda and Toyota developed their Acura and Lexus premium brands, Nissan came out with their Infiniti line as a special luxury vehicle division

Nissan logo brand and text sign for dealership store of Japanese car shop
Nissan is one of the leading Japanese car manufacturers worldwide

Nissan 370Z vs. Infiniti G37 – A Brief Overview of Dimensions and Main Specifications

Seeing as the Infiniti is a subdivision of Nissan, you could view this comparison as two siblings fighting for the top spot (as they usually do). Moreover, both the 370Z and the Infiniti G37 have been marketed as affordable sports car options, so it could be difficult to decipher which one is the “better sibling.” Before we get into the detailed comparison, here’s a brief overview of their dimensions and main specs

CategoryNissan 370ZNissan Infiniti G37
Length167.5 inches187 inches
Width72.6 inches69.8 inches
Height51.8 inches57.2 inches
Wheelbase100.4 inches112.2 inches
Engine3.7L V63.7L V6
Torque366 Nm at 270 lb-ft360 Nm at 266 lb-ft
Miles Per Gallon22 MPG combined22 MPG combined
*For the metric system, an inch is 25.4mm

Both the 370Z and the Infiniti G37 Offer an Interesting Coupe Design

Nissan has come out with both the 370Z and the Infiniti G37 around the same time – these lines have been officially unveiled at the best car shows in the US around 2005. While the G37 offers an additional sedan design, both lines are known for their slick, sporty look in the form of a coupe and a convertible.

These Coupes Might Be a Tight Fit but That’s Common Within the Sports Car Lines

A passenger vehicle with two doors and a sloping rear roofline, also known as a coupe, is a recognizable design within the world of sports cars. The 370Z and the Infiniti G37 offer a similar look, but there are a few important differences in design. 

First things first, the Infiniti G37 has a sedan option available, which makes up for what the coupe design lacks – space. However, you’re probably interested in these models because you want a sports car without having to deal with the high car prices. When it comes to coupes, there is one key difference between the two – the 370Z has the standard two seats, while the Infiniti G37 has additional two seats in the rear.

Red Drift Car / Race car drifting around corner very fast with l
The rear seats of Infiniti might be a tight squeeze, but it’s the more spacious option

These Affordable Coupes Have Many Model Years Available

If you’re looking for a brand-new vehicle, weighting out your options is cut short because the Infiniti G37 has been discontinued in 2015. However, many used vehicles, even ones with a salvage title, are available today. When the same model years of the 370Z and the Infiniti G37 are taken into account, the prices are very comparable and fluctuate somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000.

The Brand-New 2023 Nissan 370Z Carries on the Same Spirit but With Lots of New Features

Officially, the final year for the 370Z has been the 2020 model year, so this car has technically also been discontinued. However, the line carries on with the Nissan Z (RZ34), which is basically a modified version of the same platform. The 2023 model year brought a lot of new things to the table, above all, the updated technology and the modernized interior look. 

Best of all, the new Z carries on the spirit of affordability, especially compared to key rivals such as the Audi TT or the Toyota Supra. Of course, there’s a higher market price than in previous model years, but for a reason. Here are a few things you can expect:

  • Upgraded brakes,
  • Limited-slip differential,
  • Sportier suspension tune, 
  • 19-inch wheels and summer tires
  • Power-adjustable seats. 

Here’s What You Can Expect With Different Trim Levels of the Nissan 370Z

As mentioned, both the Nissan 370Z and the Infiniti G37 offer the coupe and the convertible design. Additionally, they have plenty of trim levels available, so the features you’ll get to enjoy depend on what level you settle for. 

Firstly, let’s take a look at the trim levels available for the Nissan 370Z and what you can expect from each one:

Entry-Level Nissan 370Z

With the base level of the Nissan 370Z, you can expect not only the most affordable price but many different features as well. It includes 18-inch aluminum wheels, automatic xenon headlights, keyless ignition, cruise control, and a four-speaker audio system, among other features.

Nissan 370Z Touring

Leveling up to the Touring coupe, there are many additional features such as heated seatings, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth phone connectivity, an impressive eight-speaker Bose audio system, as well as many other optional features such as the touchscreen interface, and digital audio cargo.

Nissan 370Z Nismo

The Nismo is the highest trim level of the Nissan 370Z, and as such, it comes with many great features. High-performance tires, 19-inch alloy wheels, updated brakes, and a limited-slip differential are just a few of the reasons why the Nismo is on the top of the line. The only downside? There’s no convertible option for this trim level.

Here’s What You Can Expect With Different Trim Levels of the Nissan Infiniti G37

While the 370Z offers three levels, the Infiniti G37 has four, with only the base model and the Sport 6MT offering the convertible design. So, now that I’ve covered the different trim levels of the Nissan 370Z, let’s take a look at what the Infiniti G37 can offer:

Base-Level Infiniti G37

With the entry-level Infiniti G37, you can expect traditional features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition, xenon headlights, and a six-speaker audio system. So, the base levels of both the 370Z and the G37 are very similar in what they offer – the only big difference might be the somewhat better stereo system Infiniti offers. It might not seem that important, but if you’re a fan of jamming while cruising through the most famous routes in the US, it’s a deal-breaker.

Infiniti G37 Journey

The Journey level of the G37 adds automatic headlights, a performance front passenger bench, dual-zone conditioning, as well as a six-CD changer. This means you get a few infotainment upgrades, as well as a little bit more space inside the vehicle.

Infiniti G37x

When it comes to the Infiniti G37x, this all-wheel-drive model comes with heated front seatings and outside mirrors. Same with all other trim levels, you have the option to choose between the coupe and the sedan, which is great depending on how much space you need.

Infiniti Sport 6MT

The highest trim level of the Infiniti G37 is the Sport 6MT which brings a lot of upgraded performance features, as well as a six-speed manual transmission. A limited-slip back differential, sport-tuned suspension, updated brakes, and an overall sportier look – this is just a part of what you can expect from the highest level of the G37.

Both the Nissan 370Z and the Infiniti G37 Have Great Scores When It Comes to Reliability and Safety

When talking about safety, it’s important to take the statistical reports and reliability scores with a grain of salt. That’s because it all comes down to the driver’s responsibilities on the road, as well as regular maintenance. That being said, it’s still not bad to check out how a certain car model you’re interested in performs in safety tests

Both the 370Z and the G37 have pretty good results when it comes to reliability and safety, meaning they have quite low ownership costs and come with all the necessary safety features. So, they are quite similar in that regard, and it’s no surprise – after all, they come from the same manufacturer. 

Swerving off the road sign
Safety is important, especially when you’re considering getting a sports car

For an Affordable Price, Both Models Offer Pretty Good Performance and Handling

By now, you can probably come to the conclusion by yourself that the 370Z and the Infiniti G37 are pretty similar vehicles in many aspects. When it comes to performance and handling, it’s the same situation, with differences that are pretty minimal. Sure, they can’t live up to the most famous sports cars, but it’s a pretty good deal for the price they offer. 

The V-6 Engine of Both Models Brings Impressive Performance and Handling

Both the 370Z and the Infiniti G37 are equipped with a 3.7 liter V-6 engine that runs on petrol, and they also have manual and automatic transmission options. While the 370Z offers rear-wheel drive exclusively, the Infiniti G37x adds all-wheel drive to the mix. 

The difference between horsepower is minimal, but the 370Z takes the top place at 332hp. Sure, that’s quite impressive, but it’s no match for rival sports vehicles that offer great precision, sharper reflexes, and a whole lot more power. But that doesn’t mean the Nissan 370Z and the Infiniti G37 are bad cars, especially when you take into account the difference in price and their low maintenance requirements. 

Nissan 370Z car on the road
The 370Z offers slightly better performance and handling

You Can’t Go Wrong Between the Two if You’re Looking for an Affordable Sports Car

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you are specifically looking for. Because these cars are very similar, the deal-breakers are all in the details. If you want a slightly larger space, go for the Infiniti. On the other hand, if you want slightly better performance, the 370Z is the right one for you. No matter your final decision, you will end up with a cool, sporty car that provides comfort and precision while commuting through the city streets.