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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  GOOD TO GO!!!!! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By WYFSCARIDRIVE - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I JUST WANTED TO SAY, THIS IS THE BEST CAR FOR THE MONEY.THE ONLY REGRET I HAVE IS, NOT BUYING THE 6SPEED MANUAL. WAY TO GO INFINITI!!!!!!!

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  whats not to like? - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By baldy10 - January 17 - 4:03 pm

  I have owned my G35 for 7 years now but am getting the itch so before I bid it farewell I owe it to Infinity to say thanks. This has been the best car I have ever owned. Fast, nimble, firm but not a teeth shaker and yet with a backseat thats sufficient for our three kids. Sport sedan label fits this one perfectly The only repair weve had to make was an A/C compressor that went out a few months ago. I had my ECM flashed early on and that took care of the touchy throttle response. I really think my 07 looked better than the later models. Now the M50 is coming out but that pricetag will be too high for me. The G35 was the perfect blend of performance, comfort, and value.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By lovemyG - January 17 - 2:23 am

  I admit Im biased, I wanted the G since I saw the first photos of the 2007 model. I waited out the lease on my previous vehicle, then searched for more than a month to find a 6spd Sport. I live in upstate NY and took delivery in late November at the start of snow season; after nearly 2 months, I have no regrets about buying RWD. A set of Blizzaks all around, plus VDC and a light touch on the throttle and clutch, and I havent had a problem at all. The G is everything I wanted; stylish, sophisticated, RWD, 6MT, with all the tech gadgets I could ask for. A friend rode in it and commented "Nice, but not a BMW or Audi." Which is exactly why I bought it.

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  Aint your mamas grocery getter! - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By 3 Ladies and a Daddy - January 15 - 8:23 am

  Im a housewife and mother of two. Ive always been somewhat of a car enthusiast having "grown up at the race tracks." I love this car because the sedan is sporty enough and performs like the sports car Ive always longed for, but yet is practical enough to haul 2 kids, 1 stroller and groceries for the week. The trunk space is enormous! Who says you need to give up your sense of style for sensibility when you have a family?? Ive never had a car perform and take corners the way this one does. It definitely gets my heart racing. This aint your mamas grocery getter!

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  Great car, awful milage - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Seth4Man - January 14 - 9:43 am

  I love driving this car. I think the lines are as beautiful as any car on the road sub 90k. That said, this thing is not a gas mileage champ. My combination of city/hwy driving has yielded only 18mpg, a far cry from the window sticker.

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  "Hold on to your hats!" - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By jojo - January 14 - 12:03 am

  Ive owned mine for about 2 weeks now and still no complaints. Powerful, solid, responsive, & extremely fun to drive. Love to drive it on winding roads, it handles great.

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  No Better Sports Car for the Price - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Bill Graham - January 13 - 10:00 am

  An incredible car with loads of features at a reasonable price, the G35 is a lot of fun to drive. The acceleration is great, and the head- turning quotient is high. This car proved to be the answer to my midlife crisis. In over 15,000 miles, I have zero complaints with the car. I have driven the BMW 3 and 5 series, and I prefer the G35 by far. This car has proven to be the best combination of sportiness, luxury, and value.

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  330 Coupe vs G35 Coupe - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Rongb - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Had the unique opportunity to test drive over 1 weekend each these 2 great coupes. Amazed how similar and dissimilar they are. Overall performance, handling very close, exterior estetics G35 superior, simply gorgeous. However, discovered the 330 superior in countless "everyday" ways. Briefly, 330 much more compliant ride, smoother manual, interior erognomics and quality far superior, back seat and trunk infinitely larger/better, 15K service intervals vs 3,500 inconvenience. There are countless "little" things to make the 330 driving experience far better also eg tilt AND tel steering, 3 seat temp vs 2, clean dash/console detailing vs hodgepodge.

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  G35 is a great car to own. - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Matt Pct - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I like the performance of the G35, especially at high speeds. It hugs the road and there is no vibrations. It has great accelaration and is a very quiet car inside and out. I also like the styling of the body and its very aerodynamic. The wood trim and leather seats inside make it have a very luxury look. I love this car.

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  Poor Fuel Economy; Otherwise Happy - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By oli - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle performs well; however the fuel economy in cit/mixed driving well below that advertised i.e. in city driving averaging below 14 mpg.