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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  Love it! - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Zeno - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Very fast. Very fun!

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  Best Car for the money - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Steven Friedenberg - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for 20 months of carefree driving. It has performed well, with the exception that you should garage it for any snowfall. If they ever build an awd for the coupe, it would be terrific. Most fun luxury sports coupe on the market.

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  Great Car - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By A.Heald - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Weve owned our G35 for more than a year now. Except for confusing dashboard controls, we love our car. On the highway it demostrates great stability and road fee as well as strong acceleration and powerful brakes. On a twisty road it is wonderful fun to drive. It is definitely NOT a run of the mill, boring sedan

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  My G35 Experience - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Robstreet - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. It is a fantastic road car. I get "looks" everywhere I drive it. Tremendous horsepower from the V6. Works great in snow.

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  How can you consider anything else? - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Super Marioandready - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Plain and simple, there is no other status/luxury car in this price range that can beat the G35 in its overall combination of: horsepower, torque, braking ability, value, reliability, exterior styling, acceleration, handling, top end speed, rear wheel drive, roominess/legroom/headroom, trunk space, beautiful car logo and front grill. Infiniti has hit a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth with this awesome car. Get the 6 speed manual if you like watching the Daytona 500 or you can get the 5 speed automatic if youre lazy. Get the G35 in black with black leather interior and black tinted rear windows for a mother of a monster mean machine. Go buy it.

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  Coupe Thrill - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By texas coupe - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, cool to be seen in! Tire mileage is poor but everything else is to like. Great seat comfort and good visibility. I really only wish it came in a roadster.

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  Its Jus Fun... - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By rustyboi808 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Fun, exciting and worth having.

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  G35xS (AWD w Sport, Spoiler Pack) - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By Tbone - January 23 - 9:03 pm

  I got my 2008 Infiniti G35xS with the navigation and sport package along with a spoiler. I am coming from driving a powerful Mustang GT with a V8 and a lot of horsepower. And I must say this car is hands down my favorite car that I have ever driven. This was my dream car and I found a way to get it. This car packs more features then any car I have ever seen, and for the price completely knocks out BMW, Lexus, and Audi. I had test driven every single car in the class from the 325xi, Lexus IS350, Caddy CTS, and Audi S4. I have to say without a doubt the G35 is hands down the best car. Infiniti rocks!

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  Blown away - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By J Mark - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving the G35 coupe for the last week. It is th most exhilerating, comfortable ride I have had in years. The interior setup is superior to the Boxster, the roominess superior to the 350Z and the quality of the interior appointments is superior to the BMW. The handling is tight and superior to all of the above, with maybe the exception of the Z; I cant wait to get it onto a curvey mountain road. As for the price, I cant imagine I could have gotten a better vehicle. I am anticipating years of enjoyment; I have owned a J30 for 9 years and it has been the most reliable car I have ever owned.

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  Not Quite the Deal We Thought It Was - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By h2o boy - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Only a good car at a good price. I traded in my 2001 BMW 325i for this car because of the quality issues with that car. This car isnt a lot better. Ive been in the shop three times for squeaks and rattles which still havent been completely fixed. Also notice that the trunk lid has been changed (in the same model year!) for G35 Sedans produced after October. So all of us that bought beforehand...weve now got a unique car. Sometimes its cool, but this time its NOT COOL!