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:

• 

  Looks great-needs help - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By ssplain - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Brakes are a disaster. Why does Infiniti cover brakmes for replascement only up to 36,000 miles if they are design defective as they admit? They should be covered for the life of the car. Drop down window allows rain and snow to soak the seat when you open the door.Storage space is poor.

• 

  Wish my review was more pleasing . . . - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By MOMO01 - November 10 - 8:40 am

  I guess I got the bad seed of the bunch. Most every problem that a person has listed here mainly brakes squealing and rattling noises in dash and other areas I have experienced in my 2003 G35 Sedan. I got the premi/sport pack. I bought new aftermarket tires and wheels (Goodyear) and apparently this car does not do well with aftermarket tires and wheels. I had the worst ride ever going past 60MPH. You can feel the shaking from the ground up. Took it back to the co. I bought the tires from 6 times and then Infiniti decided to help out. The Brakes squeak every time I touch them. Very annoying. The dealer at this moment is looking for me another used Infiniti G35.

• 

  Be Very Very Careful - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By infinitelyunhappy - October 25 - 6:26 am

  Had the car two weeks and the transmission had to be replaced. Dealer GM treated me as if I was an idiot. No feedback from Infiniti after complaint. Now has developed rattles and tranny is still noisy and whines on decel. Stay away from this car. Infiniti/Nissan obviously does not care at all about Customer Satisfaction.

• 

  UNHAPPY CUSTOMER - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By JENNA - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Regardless of everything that you may read, you must read this. I am sooo frustrated w/ this car appropriate words can not even explain. My G35 coupe has a consecutive problem with stalling and not starting. For a car that has only 4000 miles on it, it has been to the dearlership for service atleast 6xs a month. I cant wait until I get out of this lease (the sooner the better). I would not recogmend this vehicle to anyone. The next time I want luxury and quality service I will go to BMW or LEXUS.

• 

  Dont Believe the Hype - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Kendu - July 9 - 10:00 am

  The just took a test drive of the New Infiniti G35 and I had a fun time speeding on a straight away, but as I was driving back it began to rain. Once that happened the handling of the car went down the tubes. With all the hype about stopping faster than any German car and high-speed handling this car is the worse in rain. I can only imagine it in the snow. If you live in the desert with straight away roads with no precipation then this is the car for you. Interior is very uncomfortable for any one under 6 feet tall. DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!

• 

  8 months of ownership - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By dareeka - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Iwrote back in March about how much I liked this car,boy how that has changed.After 8 months and 8,000 miles of ownership this has to be the worst car Ive ever owned.Both doors rattle like crazy,dealer cant duplicate?, seat belt clasps rattle,recall on the way,the car has been in for 1 recall already(fuel hose may become disconnected from gas tank),doors lock automatically,dealer cant duplicate?,"check engine soon light" has come on,dealer had to reprogram computer?.You cant see dash lights when there is bright sunlight,You cant see the clock at night and the car sucks gas,18mpg.

• 

  Poor reliability after two years - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By lvnvdriver - November 8 - 1:50 am

  We have had way too many service problems with our G35 to be able to give it a positive review. It has had problems with the brakes, it had an electrical system problem, and there have been other issues which have required taking it to the dealer more often than should be the case for a two year old vehicle.

• 

  Ugggg, wish I would have bought an M3 - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Paul Reid - January 9 - 10:00 am

  The price tag really jumped out of me on the coupe but now I realize why. You need to fine tune all moving parts in the interior just to make the car not rattle. As a big surprise I was told that my stereo was NOT upgradeable to XM Satelite radio after it was promised as an upgrade. Even the VP of Nissan-Infiniti, Mark McNabb, admits there is a situation but the dealership has done nothing to rectify the situation. Save a little more, buy an M3 or a Lexus SC thats a year or two old!

• 

  Disappointing - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By roland allen - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I really wish I just bought a 350Z instead

• 

  #1 - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By MONICA 2 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Clutch failed at 3,500 miles. Many pood design features. Will never buy a car again without a knob for the radio. Spaceship center console is confusing and counter intutive. Several controls (e.g. trunk switch are inconvienent. Emergency Brake takes extreme force to engage. Looks great. Will not go in the snow with summer tires. Wouldnt buy again.