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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  Amazing Car - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By jaysmith2000 - July 26 - 10:00 am

  I had to give up my 300zx Convertible to get this car, but it was well worth it. The handling, performance and ride of this car is amazing. It is the best car I have ever driven and Ive driven them all.

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  Best Investment - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By lkozen - July 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive never been so satisfied with spending this much money on anything else. It turns heads and performs excellent. I would highly recommend buying this car.

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  Infiniti G35 Coupe - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By MillionJ - July 26 - 10:00 am

  This is the most fun car that Ive ever owned. It has beautiful lines and perforamance to match. It is pure performance machine.

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  Awesome car! - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Eldin - July 24 - 7:40 pm

  I bought this car last year on 6/23/07. It needed a new tranny and a 3rd clutch @ 50K because of the previous owner not knowing how to drive it. I love everything about this car as far as performance, but the amber yellow lighting inside reminds of a TC. I test drove a BMW 330CI before my G purchase & it was a joke. I get about 18-20mpg city & 24-28 highway, which is pretty good considering I have 20" wheels, a heavy foot & 3" exhaust. the interior rattles a lot & no luck w/ the dealer. I have 61K fun miles on this car & plan to drive it to the ground then rebuilt the motoer w/ a turbo.

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  So far so good!! - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By mpoisson - July 21 - 4:03 am

  Bought in Feb 2008, tail end of winter, in Rochester NY. Did awesome in the snow!! Plenty of kick, quiet, smooth. Getting about 20 mpg mostly in town driving. Not great, but considering a 306hp engine and a driver with a heavy foot.

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  Cant get the smile off of my face - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By broz - July 20 - 10:00 am

  I came out of an Acura TL lease and looked at several in this class. Never owned a rear wheel drive but when the dealer took me for a ride and cut a turn at 50mph, I quickly became a fan of the rear wheel stability and the G35 with Sport suspension. The G35 may be the most fun car I have ever driven if you like power, sharp turning, and well, POWER.

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  Happy with my 6MT - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Jim - July 19 - 10:50 am

  I havent experienced the brake or abnormal tire wear problems that many others have, although I concur that the OEM tires -- which I replaced with pricey but far superior Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s -- left a lot to be desired. I usually average 21.8 mpg in mostly highway driving. Weve all felt the pain of higher gas prices recently, and for the past couple weeks Ive been driving with a very light foot (very atypical for me) to see how much the mileage would improve. I was absolutely astonished to get an honest 28 mpg on a recent 110 mile highway trip where I limited my max speed to 60 mph. I cruised at around 70 on the return trip and the overall mileage dropped to 27.2. Not too shabby!

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  Strictly OK - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By jj84 - July 14 - 1:40 pm

  Loved this car for the first few months, but then the noises started. Replaced all the window tracks in the doors at 19k, rattle in the A-pillar started soon after and still persists (I drive 80 miles a day, so pretty obnoxious). Brakes have squealed the entire time Ive had the car, despite replacing the front and rear pads and front rotors. I also had to take electrical tape to the electronic rear view mirror to keep it from rattling. Of course, the dealer cannot diagnose any of these problems (and I would have to pay for them to do so as rattles arent covered under warranty). Frankly I would rather have a german car with lots of mechanical problems that they can at least be diagnosed.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By B. Miller - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I have had many cars previously, including Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes- Benz, but my Infiniti G35 is by far my favorite out of the bunch! It has outstanding power and it rides great! Handles the road very well at 110 mph!!

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  NOTHING SHORT OF SPECTACULAR - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By professionalcarbuyer - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I have bought far too many cars over the past five years, 11 to be exact. Number twelve the G35 is by far the best riding sports sedan in its class. Anyone who buys a 3 series BMW or Lexus IS300 has obviously not taken a test drive in the new G.