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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  Its not a Honda... - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By clintguy - November 24 - 2:00 am

  The engine is bulletproof, but the rest of the car... well, it should be riddled with bullets. Everything is rattly and creaky after a year. Before this car, I had 4 Hondas/Acuras and none of them were like this. Moreover, I have had a blown out speaker since the first month I had it, and no Infiniti dealership will replace a door speaker! Agh!

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  Year in Review - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Jay from BK - November 23 - 4:33 am

  I purchased my G coupe in December 2005 and am still in love with the car. Over the past year and a half I have noticed issues with build quality. There are many annoying rattles that have developed in the car that you hear over bumps. The sunroof creaks relentlessly and the interior plastics scratch too easily! Am still very satisfied with the cars performance though I do wish it had stronger pull. The car seems to lose steam in 4th and doesnt pull hard in 5th. The seats are still comfortable and the stereo has held up well so far. Bluetooth just stopped working two weeks ago! Paint is very soft, chips too easily.

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  Loving my 08 G35 Journey - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By RbM - November 17 - 12:26 am

  I was all set to buy a 2008 Caddy CTS until a friend took me into the Infiniti dealership to look at the G35. Long story short, I bought the G35. The Infiniti is a superior product with excellent pricepoint, quality, reliability and longevity ratings. Mine is the Journey with Tech package, Premium luxury package, sport wheels and Rosewood interior. The combo of the Journey suspension with the 18 inch sport wheels/tire are the perfect balance for comfort and performance in my opinion. The satin finish on the Rosewood interior is very similar to the wood finish used in the BMW 7-series.

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  Too much maintenance - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By donna mullin - November 16 - 2:00 pm

  At 16k miles new brakes. At 22k another set in back. At 23k all new tires. Bad mileage for fuel. Its my fourth and last infiniti. Too expensive to own and run, but a great looking car.

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  All that and a bag of chips - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By coolman255 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Driving in rush hour never felt so good. Sound system is excelent. Get the wood trim it spruces up the leather. Get a little space on the highway and gigle factor goes thru the roof. I am looking forward to owning this baby for a while.

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  ITS AWESOME!!! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By MRS. WMS - November 14 - 10:00 am

  My two problems with this car is the material around the gear and on the door handle and the seat adjusters.The material can be scratch easily. Replaced with a high grade plastic or wood grain and it is an all american.

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  Ammmaaaaaazing - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Brian - November 9 - 8:00 am

  I have been researching this purchase for over a year now, ever since I found out they were redesigning the G35. I was not impressed with the previous versions interior design or quality, but this redesign is incredible!! I am a package kinda guy, meaning I like both interior and exterior refinement and the folks at Infiniti have got it right... and it blows the BMW 3 Series to the side of the road. The get-up-and-go of this car is great. The technology of the navigation system and audio systems is out of this world and the car just looks great! I compared to the Lexus IS350, BMW 335, Acura TL, Audi A4. This car is number one!

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  Front tires need replaced every 7k miles - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Todd Akron, OH - November 8 - 12:10 am

  Love driving this car, except for the front tire wear. I am on my second set of front tires in 1 yr. Both sets of tires have had uneven wear on the inside treads, about every other 1" of tire there is a flat and peak area.

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  Fun gas guzzler - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By JAMES - November 5 - 10:53 pm

  I had this car for 3 weeks now and like the cars performance overall. I wish it had more torque like the lexus. The lexus is350 had a stronger motor and was more comfortable inside. The bmw was just an overall nicer car. I guess you get what ya pay for. The g35 also has hard seats and loves to burn fuel. I get about 15-16 mpg around town. The g35 doesnt handle as well as a bmw in high winds or at high speeds. It gets loose in the turns at high speeds. Sure hope gas prices dont climb again.

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  Infiniti and Beyond - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Penelope1 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Radio controls are not convenient