2007 Infiniti G35 Review

Infiniti G35 – Review: Infiniti was comatose before the G35 arrived to save the day in 2003. Sales were flat-lining, the product lineup was almost entirely comprised of chrome- and leather-trimmed Nissans, and for a brand built on the premise of performance there was nothing from Infiniti that stirred the soul. The G35 changed everything, landing a roundhouse punch to BMW's jaw. With a powerful V6, rear-wheel drive, quick reflexes, and beautiful styling, the G put Infiniti back on the luxury map, leading a product development renaissance that has resulted in some of the most desirable automobiles on the market. Today, the Infiniti G35 is completely redesigned, with more sensual styling, more performance, and more luxury than ever.

What We Drove

To see how the redesigned Infiniti G35 stacks up, we borrowed a pre-production Liquid Platinum example in Sport trim, which starts at $34,150 including a $700 destination charge. Our car was equipped with the power sunroof option for a grand total of $35,150. Options that were not included on our test sample included the Premium, Technology, and Navigation Packages, as well as four-wheel active steering, satellite radio, and a rear spoiler. Fully loaded, the Infiniti G35 Sport can cost nearly $42,000 and though our car was lightly equipped, we didn't suffer for lack of features. Consumers wanting all-wheel drive can select the G35x model, negating concerns about rear-drive in foul-weather climates.

Performance

Engineered to deliver rapid acceleration, the G35's 306-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 blasts the sedan to 60 mph in less than six seconds, and my 17.4 mpg average reflects a heavy foot. Throttle response is uneven, with a slight delay as the car gets off the line and then a sudden, frequently unintended rush of speed. If this occurs in a curve, the wheels begin to spin, the tail begins to slide, and the stability control is roused to stop the party. The five-speed automatic includes a manual shift gate and magnesium paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel, as well as adaptive software. Choose the standard manual gearbox if you wish to avoid the automatic's sometimes unpredictable nature.

Handling

Like the original Infiniti G35, this new model feels a bit tail-happy in turns and a bit nervous on lumpy pavement. Unlike with a BMW 3 Series, moments when the Infiniti's driver feels like an extension of the mechanicals are few. The steering is fast, precise, and communicative, and the brakes respond instantly while proving easy to modulate and impervious to fade. The Bridgestone performance rubber feels a little greasy, and the taut suspension doesn't feel particularly well planted in lumpy turns, making it hard to determine the G35's limits. The Infiniti feels rock solid on the freeway, clearly transmitting each crack, ripple, and scar on the pavement.

Visibility

One Infiniti G35 hallmark is the driving position, close to the windshield with a commanding forward view. That's been retained in the new car, though the front roof pillars are a bit thicker and raked back at a steeper angle. The side mirrors provide a great view out, a good thing since rear visibility is a bit obscured by the rear headrests. Our test car came equipped with neither park-assist sensors nor a reversing camera.

Fun to Drive

Without question, the Infiniti G35 is a blast to drive. It's got a terrific V6 engine, razor sharp reflexes, a communicative chassis, and a perfect driving position. Its tail-happy character can be exploited by skilled drivers who disable the stability control system, and its sometimes surging powertrain is entertaining to the enthusiast. However, this car is difficult to count on and can react in unpredictable ways; the driver and the machine rarely become one. On paper, the Infiniti beats the BMW. From the driver's seat, the BMW is the better car.

Front Comfort

Infiniti has moved the seat controls to the seat base from the inner thigh bolsters; a huge improvement. It also retained the gauge display which tilts along with the steering wheel so that the driver is always ensured a clear view of the meters. Our test car had manual thigh extenders and power side bolsters, allowing a variety of people to find comfort in the G35. Resting spots for elbows could be improved, and larger people might find it difficult to enter and exit the G35 in a graceful fashion, but once seated everything is right with the world.

Rear Comfort

Practical rear seat space has been lost with the Infiniti G35's redesign. For me, the bottom cushion lacked thigh support, knee space was tighter (though not tight), and underseat foot room was nonexistent. But then, I've got lanky legs and giant feet, so your results may vary. The rear doors open wide, achieving nearly a 90-degree angle.

Interior Noise

luxury car buyers may be dismayed by the amount of road and suspension noise coming up from underneath the Infiniti G35. Also, the engine has an aggressive exhaust note and whenever the G35 accelerates this signature growl penetrates the cabin. On smooth blacktop with a tailwind, the G35 is impressively silent.

Loading Cargo

Pop the trunk using the remote and the deck lid barely rises above the bumper; I needed to dig my fingers into the seam between the trunk and the bumper to pry it open. The G35's trunk opening is on the small side, but the liftover height is reasonably low and the trunk is reasonably large.

Build Quality

Our Infiniti G35 test car was a pre-production sample, and it is our policy not to comment on build quality in such cases because it is not representative of what the buyer will find at the dealership.