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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About time - 2003 Infiniti G35
By bigdumbdane - May 24 - 10:00 amI cannot say one bad thing about it yet. I could never justify spending $40 grand on a german luxury sport, but this thing is worth more than those and costs less!
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Lots of car for the money - 2006 Infiniti G35
By borist - May 21 - 1:57 pmIf you want economy, get a Prius. This car was designed to get from A to B fast. Its not great for very long trips (the seats are a bit stiff), but to get to work or some party - great! For the money you pay, you get a lot more than 3-series BMW or C-class MB have to offer. This car looks amazing, drives like a rocket, premium package gives you GPS, dual climate control and pretty beefy BOSE audio system. The interior build quality exceeds what C-class has to offer by a mile. Overall - great car. Worth every $ paid for it.
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Wish it were more like my 90 ZX - 2004 Infiniti G35
By ZXzealot - May 21 - 10:00 amOverall the car is good. Not as good as my Nissan 1990 ZX was when I bought it new. The seats are very uncomfortable. Also, not as much shoulder and hip room as the old Z. The suspension is good but not as compliant on rough surfaces as the 90 Z ... has some wheel hop. Road noise is high. Wind noise is high. Has a few rattles and squeaks. The Z was rattle free for 7 years. Dont think of it as a luxury car ... its a sporty car. Cerritos Infiniti has been a great dealer.
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nastys G35 mixed coupe review - 2004 Infiniti G35
By nasty - May 21 - 10:00 ambeautiful exterior, great motor, they scrimped on the little things- the struts that should hold the hood up, the seats that should have more adjustments, the plastics that are not up to the rest of car
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Loving It! - 2007 Infiniti G35
By Charlie - May 20 - 1:56 pmI just picked up my 2007 G35 Sport Sedan (Auto) last weekend and have been loving it since I drove it off the lot. The other cars that I evaluated in my purchasing process were the Lexus IS350, Audi 3.2 A4, and the BMW 335. The G holds it own with all and surpasses them in many ways, most notably price, performance, and driving experience. Considering that each of the aforementioned models are at least 3k more in price I don’t see how one could justify such a premium. Interior and exterior styling is truly outstanding and the sport model is flat out ‘tight’. An outstanding automobile!
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Great Combination of Fun and Comfort - 2007 Infiniti G35
By jt4404 - May 20 - 3:56 amI have just finished my first 1000 miles with the G35-S, and I have nothing but positive things to say about the car. I was looking for something a little sportier than my Lexus E330, but, since I drive a lot, I also wanted a more comfortable ride than what a typical sports coupe had to offer. This car delivers the best of both worlds, delivering a quiet, comfortable ride even with the "sports" suspension, while being responsive and powerful enough to provide the fun and excitement of a sports car. And, by the way, very reasonably priced when compared to BMW, the Lexus G series, and other competitors in this class. Highly recommended.
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My first real investment pays off... - 2008 Infiniti G35
By ebbandblow - May 19 - 9:09 pmFirst of all, WOW. This car captured my eye from the moment I spotted it during my search for the best car in my price range. At first what really got me into it was its stock 306hp V-6! And good thing because if it were not for it having a more powerful engine than the Acura TL Type S, I would have never even considered this car as an option. Now moving onto the inside (where I really fell in love with the car) you see a gorgeous speed/tach gauge setup with a barrage of buttons all with the perfect touch of accent lighting. Not to mention just about any tech feature you can fit into a sport sedan (even if you dont opt for the tech. package.) Continued below
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Very Sweet - 2005 Infiniti G35
By aero2law - May 18 - 7:26 amI bought my coupe last month with all the bells and whistles. The cars a dream to drive, and it turns heads. As an engineer myself, I have a special appreciation for the challenges associated with successfully blending form and substance. Infinitis designers have achieved a wonderful balance between the cars appearance and performance. I was originally considering the BMW330i; but a test drive of both cars, along with the G35s appearance won me over to the G35. The slight difference in price of the two cars was not a factor in my decision.
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IN LOVE WITH THE G35 - 2004 Infiniti G35
By Tamer - May 15 - 10:00 amLove everythig about it
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Brake Eater - 2004 Infiniti G35
By BayouDriver - May 11 - 11:36 pmThis car is fun to drive, great on long trips as well as short. It also looks great and Ive run across several Mercedes owners who looked at both and wished they had bought the G35 Sedan instead. You certainly dont have to worry about having enough power and acceleration for two- lane driving or Interstate maneuvering. But, it does have some maintenance issues that need to be addressed by Infiniti/Nissan relative to their brake wear. I had a Nissan Pathfinder that has brake issues, particularly front and this car eats brakes as well.
