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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  BMW 3 series killer - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By gatillo21 - January 31 - 3:10 am

  Youll love this car. It has performance, style, interior space and good features like standard 6 disk CD changer. I wanted to get the Lexus IS 350 but the G35 offered me more for less. If you want performance, All wheel drive for the snow and comfort this is the best option.

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  I think I have a lemon - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Can you say lemon - January 29 - 10:00 am

  I so desperately want to LOVE my new G35 but it seems that everytime I get close to falling for it, something goes wrong. The 1st problem occurred within the first 2 weeks. The radio wouldnt turn off, even when the engine was off. It took the dealer a week to fix that problem. Now, Im experiencing problems with my air conditioner...it only works on 60 degrees. If I move it up by 1 degree, the heater comes on. It doesnt help that the service people at the dealer keep telling me its new model, so problems can be expected. Of course, when extolling the benefits of the car before I purchased it, this information was conveniently omitted.

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  six month review - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By gbhill - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car last April, love the look, handling and power. Have had one concern that has brought be back to the deal several times. If the car sits for a period of time and I back up and then place the car in drive I hear an annoying clunk. Ive never heard this sound on any other cars Ive owned. Deal says it the calipers adjusting. Has anyone else experianced this?

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  go g35 go - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By et - January 29 - 10:00 am

  This car is fast and fun to drive. Very responsive and interesting. Much more nimble than a Acura TL type S. Not your dime a dozen on the road Maxima. Not the greatest on gas, 21mpg city/higway but maybe that will improve. Great interior space for the size of the car. Corners mean nothing to this car - no exaggeration.

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  driving excitement - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By thenryt - January 29 - 10:00 am

  very fast and wonderfull handling

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  Has been great for 2 years now - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By duncanator - January 26 - 9:20 pm

  I have owned this vehicle for over 2 years now and have had mo major problems. The interior has some rattles that can be annoying, but the dealer will fix them. The Bose stereo is garbage and the stereo display is minimal. One from the 1980s displays more information. My G35 just hit 28000 miles and I just now replaced the front tires. Rear tires are still original and are doing well. The throttle response is a bit slow and not immediate when you step on it. It works better to have a slow and steady foot on the pedal. Other that that it is fun to drive every day. Mileage stinks but I expect that for a car like this. I didnt buy it thinking I would save at the pump.

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  Fun to drive - Expensive to own - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By neal - January 26 - 1:00 am

  This car is a lot of fun to drive. It begs to be turned loose on winding roads. Unfortunately, the reliability is horrible. Since I purchased it, I have had the drivers seat mount break (it would move all over the place while driving - a little too exciting), brakes replaced at 34,000 miles, and a complete clutch / flywheel replacement at 59,000. The first two were covered by the warranty. The service guy even suggested I push the brakes hard to be sure they were worn enough before I ran out of warranty. The clutch on the other hand is not covered by the drivetrain warranty and it was over $1,800 out of pocket. If you buy this car, be ready to come out-of-pocket deep and often.

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  Next one is a coupe! - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Burky - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. I love to get in and drive it. Interior will scratch if not careful. Sound system is o.k.. Wish satelite receiver had more bells and whistles. If I didnt have a two year old in a car seat I would have had a coupe. Next time, I cant wait

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  G35 - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By raweekley - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Ill never own anything else...superb in every way.

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  Review of the 2003 Infinity G35 - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By mitsumn - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This is one fun vehicle to drive. We purchased used (17,000 miles)and are quite happy with the fit and finish of the 4dr G35. The performance is wild and it sticks to the road like a glove. Very comfortable on long drives too, but its real attributes is its performance and power.