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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  I shouldve kept my Bimmer...bummer... - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By David Durham - May 7 - 8:10 am

  I was so excited when I got this car and I loved it for about the first 7000 miles. Then the tires were shot due to Infiniti/Nissans issues with the front end of the G35/350Z. I was assured it was an alignment problem and had that reset and 4 new tires put on to the tune of about $1600. Well, I made it about 12000 miles on these until the inside of the front tires were nearly shot again. They had now been swapped to opposite rims in the hopes they will make it until I can trade this thing in. Oh and I just found out I need new brakes and two new rotors and I just hit 30000 miles. What!?! I am not a "spirited" driver in this thing at all. It is fun to drive the G, but it will cost you!

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  2003 G35 4 dr. - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By tom mag - May 7 - 2:00 am

  love how it handles in: high speed turns, snow.

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  hiding from police - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By peat - May 6 - 11:06 pm

  I love this car,its fast, looks good,nice stereo,i have had no problems so far. The few things i dont like are excessive brake dust, having to put premium gas in it, and the placement of the seat controls. All of those things mentioned wouldnt stop me from buying it again.

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  Cant wait to drive it again and again! - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By saleks - May 6 - 7:50 am

  Have ~6K miles and absolutely love the car! Also, very nice dealership experience from test drive to sale to service. Very unlike some of the others that I have visited. It has all the power that I could use while still remainign civilized. Great multi-link suspension - it handles like a razor and yet still comfy on bumpy roads. I get 21 MPG in fast suburb driving. Curiosly, driving style has no impact on MPG - same whether you crawl or spin wheels.

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  Great performer, could use better components - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By John Y - May 4 - 4:53 pm

  I bought my 2006 G35 Coupe automatic in 10/2006. I have had one accident, some small fender benders. Overall the performance has been great. The good: The car handles well, superb acceleration and braking. The automatic transmission has been reliable, although a little bumpy between 1st and 2nd. The styling of course is unparalleled. The interior technology package has worked well - the navigation is spot-on - a little awkward to use with the joystick inputs, but not bad for 2006. The Bluetooth has never failed though 4 iPhones. It connects every time, and the voice input is about 95% accurate. The audio system - CD changer, speakers work perfectly to this day. Electronic seat warmer and adjusters have not failed. The bad: Interior components have been cheap. There have been a few gimpy components. The removable cupholder - very cheap and the spring broke after about 2 years. The DC socket has failed about 3-4 times. Driver window motor had to be replaced after 125k miles. The tire pressure sensor had to be replaced after 90k miles. After 80k miles, leather covering the door panels are starting to peel off, and after 120k miles, the leather on the side panels in the back have completely peeled off (and nobody ever sits back there). The ugly: Tires - need to be replaced every 20-30k. Overall I like this car. Performance is very reliable. I have not had many huge problems with the vehicle, however there are numerous small fixes for the car. The car is very tough on the tires (and I have a stock 18" wheels).

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  The Good and the Bad - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Lou - May 3 - 11:20 am

  Im spending $100 a month on tire costs for the G35. Im told it is the high performance and that they wear rather quickly. Does Jaguar, Porsche have the same problem? The tires I purchased are around $500 a tire and replace two of them at least every four/six months.

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  The Good and the Bad - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Lou - May 3 - 11:03 am

  Im spending $100 a month on tire costs for the G35. Im told it is the high performance and that they wear rather quickly. Does Jaguar, Porsche have the same problem? The tires I purchased are around $500 a tire and replace two of them at least every four/six months.

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  The Good and the Bad - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Lou - May 2 - 11:56 pm

  Im spending $100 a month on tire costs for the G35. Im told it is the high performance and that they wear rather quickly. Does Jaguar, Porsche have the same problem? The tires I purchased are around $500 a tire and replace two of them at least every four/six months.

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  COOL ALTERNATIVE - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By LAMB - May 2 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CAR A BLAST TO DRIVE CD PLAYER CRASHED 1700MILES FIXED PROMPTLY 19.8 MPG AVG FEELS FASTER AT 7K MI RADIO CONTROLS AND HVAC CONTROLS TO COMPLICATED BUT FUNTION OK

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By David Fortner - April 28 - 7:23 pm

  People ask me why I bought an "expensive" car - my answer is that, over 5 years, its probably cost me less than whatever theyre driving. 140K miles, NOTHING to fix. Oil, brakes, tires - thats it. Runs, looks, feels almost like new. Big power, room, a blast to drive. Quality costs less in the long run.