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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  SWEEEEEEEET ride !!! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By SL-SP - March 14 - 10:00 am

  Great car...love it...especially in the pearl white..man do you get looks!!! hehe runs perfect...quiet but when you gas...u take off!!!

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  why not the sedan????? - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By jaydubs - March 10 - 7:33 pm

  car is great. dares to be diven aggressively. sleek yet loud, quite ride for such a big hearted car..style meets performance

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  Tiger under the hood! - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By epg35man - March 8 - 11:10 pm

  Stepping on the gas of this car is like unleashing a mad beast. You can feel it in the push you get, you can hear it when the engine growls, and you can see it as your speedometer and tachometer leap up from zero. I have the premier package, which gives me a navigation system, a Bose sound system, and power everything. This was my first grown-up car after owning compacts my whole life. I will never go back! The only drawback is in the brakes, that need to be replaced every 9,000 or so. Still, Infiniti held them under warranty for 36,000 miles, so I feel pretty good about that for the next couple of years. Buy, buy, buy!

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  Disappointed in the - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Disappointed12345 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Good stuff: braking is incredible, engine performance "wows" you, impeccable safety features, great styling, fantastic reliability, fun to drive. Problems: if you dont need or really want the sport-tuned suspension package, dont get it--it produces a very stiff ride that dont not match the sophisticated elements of this car. The placement of the seat controls is a problem! What I dislike is the discomfort. The seat control panel is made of plastic and is integrated into the seat in such a way that it puts an annoying "hotspot" on my leg.

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  Comfort and leisure! - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By The Metcalfes - March 5 - 2:00 am

  The G-35 Coupe is one of the most impressive cars I have ever driven. It handles like a small sports car with the acceleration of a 8 cy. luxury. Long trips are extremely comfortable in the seats and the sat. radio, Bluetooth, and keyless entry system is amazing. This car is the sport luxury youve always dreamed of. Go on, make your daddy jealous!

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  Great drive, great comfort - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Janis - February 26 - 10:00 am

  This car is a kick and a half to drive! Drives better than the A4 I used to have and is almost $10K less. I bought the X AWD version since I did not like the reliability in snow with RWD. Acceleration at 55MPH+ is somewhat sluggish, so I throw it into 3rd using the tiptronic shifter and then it GOES! Just a few very small imporvements and this car would be absolutely perfect!

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  GREAT CAR - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Michael N - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I think that this car beats the BMW 3 series which I have had. Its interior design need some improvement but otherwise, one of the best cars I have driven and owned.

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  Exhilerating Ride on a G35 - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By GeesG35 - February 23 - 7:20 am

  Love the design. Performance is beyond what I expected. Gets looks on the street all the time. Underappreciated speed. Mustag sound with BMW handling.

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  g35 - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By fdgdf - February 10 - 2:00 am

  great car with tons of standard features. accelaration is amazing and the quality is unbeatable.

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  2008 G35 Sedan 6MT Great Ride!! - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By jg - February 8 - 5:46 pm

  Before everything else, test drive this car right away. It feels superior to drive and handles excellent. Gas mileage is surprisingly efficient. Driving with the 6 speed manual transmission is a little tricky as the car feels extra responsive to your every move so it can take a little getting used to even though Ive driven a manual for years.