Overview & Reviews

These days, we've come to expect a lot from Infiniti. But in years past, the Japanese luxury brand actually struggled to find an audience. Only with the Infiniti G35 sport sedan did the company start to regain its footing after years in the red. At the time of its debut, the G35's refined styling and sporty performance made a loud statement.

There were two generations of the Infiniti G35, both built on the same platform as the Nissan 350Z sports car. The G35 distinguished itself in the entry-level luxury segment with a roomy cabin, plenty of performance and a respectable price. For those reasons, the rear-wheel-drive G35 was one of our editors' top recommendations for a sport sedan or coupe that was rewarding to own and drive. More recently, the G35 was replaced by the G37.

Most Recent Infiniti G35

There were two generations of the Infiniti G35 sedan, although the second generation is essentially the current G37 sedan with a smaller V6 engine. The G35 coupe lasted only one generation (meaning, same body style) before being replaced by the fully redesigned G37 coupe.

The most recent G35 sedan was completely redesigned for 2007. Changes included a stiffer body structure, revised chassis tuning for better handling, a more powerful V6 engine and a more voluptuous take on the previous G's styling. It was more or less the same size as the outgoing model, but the biggest improvement could be found inside, both ergonomically and aesthetically. Everything was better put together and materials were higher in quality. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 306 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard, but a six-speed manual came with the 6MT trim. We'd seriously recommend against this transmission (especially on 2007 models) as it was incredibly difficult to drive smoothly.

The sedan was available in five trims: a base model, Journey, x (indicated all-wheel drive), Sport and Sport 6MT. Most Infiniti G35 sedans will be of the Journey variety, which added items like dual-zone automatic climate control and a six-CD changer. The Sport trims were geared toward enthusiasts and featured 18-inch wheels and tires, a limited-slip differential, sport seats and aggressive tuning for the car's electronic stability system. A four-wheel active steering system was an option that's exclusive to the Sport trims, although we weren't fans of it.

Other than its engine, its name and few other detail changes, the G35 sedan became the G37 sedan for 2009.

Used Infiniti G35 Models

The original Infiniti G35 was introduced for 2003, and was produced in sedan form until 2006 and as a coupe until 2007. Originally, the sedan was available in one trim level until the all-wheel-drive model arrived for '04. The coupe could be had in base or Sport trim. The latter included a firmer suspension, a limited-slip differential and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Both sedan and coupe shared the same 3.5-liter V6, but the sedan originally made less power (260 hp with four doors, 280 with two doors). They were made even at 280 hp for 2005, and both models when equipped with the six-speed manual option got a boost to 298 hp. These horsepower numbers dropped to 293 and 275, respectively, for the '07 coupe because of a change in SAE testing procedures -- actual output did not, in fact, change.

Other than the myriad engine changes, there were other noteworthy updates made during the first-generation G35's lifetime. The sedan received a new hood, grille, bumpers, side sills and taillights for '05, although it was hardly a revolutionary aesthetic difference. The coupe remained mostly unchanged visually. Inside, though, both benefited from a redesigned instrument panel and improved manual transmission with a lower shifting effort. The coupe gained an optional rear-steer system for 2006, while its Sport Package gained a unique front fascia and a big rear spoiler. Bluetooth arrived on all Gs that year. While the G35 sedan was completely redesigned for '07, the coupe remained the same.

In our reviews, we were quite fond of the original generation Infiniti G35. The sedan was a bargain-priced alternative to the BMW 3 Series, while being a little less frantic and more comfortable than the second-generation G35 and current G37. The coupe was the more practical, livable alternative to Nissan's 350Z -- it was a sports car in luxury clothing. If there was one area of concern, it was an interior filled with several cheap surfaces and some unintuitive controls. Headroom was also quite limited in the coupe. One feature that was welcome, though, was the optional reclining rear seatbacks in the G35 sedan, which made it a top choice for backseat comfort.

User Reviews:

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  Great Car! - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By TDS - June 8 - 5:33 am

  Very nice power with the 3.5L V6 @ 280hp also handles well. Ive been avg. 22-24 MPG.

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  Excellent 2-year old car - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Mark - June 8 - 1:23 am

  Just logged two years in the car. Thoroughly pleased with it. I looked at Acura TL, Audi A4, Cadillac CTS, BMW 330, and Im glad I went this way. Best blend of room, performance, build quality and features Ive seen. The ride is very smooth and soft over bumpy roads, yet the car handles aggressively when pushed to the task. Minor defects addressed by the dealer thus far (headlight adjustments, speaker rattling, heated seat malfunction, bizarre engine hesitation attributed to bad gas). The AWD is masked by the VDC/TCS; I usually disengage the VDC, but when driving in snow with VDC off, you can easily swing the back around, which questions how well the AWD really works.

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  2003 G35 - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By harvey - June 7 - 8:36 pm

  Great car looks good very poor gas mileage i was a bit suprise about that.Bose system ok i like it.The car is rough on bumpy roads but ok. Brakes have not replace yet. Look at the acura tl the bmw 325i but chose the G35 for looks. Car is so fast at acceleration was very impresse about that.Car handles well did hear some rattles inside the car. Overrall car is ok.

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  Second time around even better! - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Melanie - June 7 - 1:00 am

  This is my second G-35 and I love this car! This car is so fun to drive & I love the power it has. It allows me to accelerate quickly when I need the power to do so. It has a few added features that are standard on this model vs. my 2003. I have a full sized spare this time and also heated seats. I like how the car handles and the ride seems smoother than the previous car (different sport tuned suspension?)This car is easily able to compete with the Lexus ES 300, the BMW 300s, the Lincoln ES, Audis, Volvos, Acuras, Mercedes, and others. It looks great, rides great, and the interior is very nice. Love my Bose sound system! I love this car!

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  Go Buy a G35, you wont be disappointed - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By bwarren2 - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I have rouhly 3K miles on my G after about a month. Yes thats a lot of miles for 1 month, but the G is so fun to drive. I look forward to a long trip now because I can take out this car and have fun. The engine is very smooth and the handling is very very good. I looked at a lot of cars and drove everything from an Accord to a BMW 525 and I am very plesed with my choice. It is not perfect but no car is. If you are looking for a car that will blow anything away, is fun to drive, doesnt cost $40K, looks good and is reliable, then go to your local Infiniti dealer, you wont be disappointed.

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  G35-Quality,Style,Performance and Fun - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Austone - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I just bought the G35 and love it. I have a Mercedes CLK320, BMW Z3, BMW 3 series and nothing comes close to this car. It is more solid than the CLK, faster than the BMW 3 and more fun to drive than the Z3. I had tunnel vision towards the German car makers and just realized there is a viable alternative.

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  Head Turner - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By Pete Bennett - May 27 - 6:23 pm

  Just hit the 5,000 mile mark and love the car more and more each day. I receive so many compliments on the car with most indicating that the car must have been very expensive based on its looks. People assume this car was very expensive even though its priced at or below the price of the vehicle they are actually driving themselves.

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  Excellent, even after 1 year! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By g35 - May 27 - 10:00 am

  After buying the car just about the time it was announced, 5/2002, I find the car even better. All that has been done so far are oil changes plus the factory recalls. This cars just flat out moves and does so very well and with style. The auto-stick feature really makes the car fun to drive without having to worry about manually shifting. This car is worth it!

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  Drives well but interior quality is bad - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By waynecow - May 24 - 10:56 pm

  I spent a lot of time comparing and researching cars before buying the G35 Sedan last year, and I am very dissapointed with my choice. Dont get me wrong the main reason for buying this car was drivability - and this car drives very well. However I paid $35000 (paying more to get the excellent Bose stereo), and I am amazed that the interior materials are so cheap and the build quality so poor that even with Bass at zero every song is accompanied by annoying rattles from the door panel in my left ear. I have taken the car in several times, but they dont seem to be able to fix the problem. My last car was a VW GTi which was a lot less expensive but the interior had a superior fit and finish.

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  GeeLoveULongTime!!! - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By NYY Fan - May 22 - 9:50 pm

  Hung on to my Honda Accord V6 Coupe for as long as possible (wife, 2 small kids and an SUV). I was looking for a 4-dr sports sedan that offered sportiness, luxury, and room for 4. I set my sights on the G35x as well as the BMW3. Once I had a look at the new lines and interior of the 2007 G and took it for a test drive a clear winner was declared. The G35 offered nearly everything that the BMW 3s had with better reliability and for way less money - performance and value!! After 10 months, and 15,000 mi. I just cant say enough good things about this car - Im too busy driving it.