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:

• 

  Sold/gone after four months!!! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Xg35 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I really wanted to like this car. I traded a BMW 325 after nine years. I never got comfortable driving the G35. There is nothing intuitive about the car. The cheesy interior, clunky cd changer, horrible instrumetation controls that all felt the same, and the awkward seat adjustments were just too much. It didnt look or feel like a luxury car. The paint job was inferior to its compeition. I liked the rear wheel drive platform. But the car just didnt feel right. Last week I traded it in and took a significant financial loss. I feel I made the right choice.

• 

  dont buy - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By sig - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I am very displeased w/ the infiniti g35. If you want a true sport sedan go for the Cadillac CST. Much better vehicle and built in the USA.

• 

  lemon car - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By jennifer h - October 10 - 12:16 am

  when i bought my car it had 27,000 miles on it. it has been in the shop over 30 times in 9 months. it has had numerous electrical problems, paint peeling off the bumpers ( and they wont do anything to help you), transmission problems, window constatly creaking ( in shop 5 times for this alone), and of course the big one the breaks. i have been told by infiniti itself that you have to replace the breaks and the rotors every 9,000 miles and it cost 500-600 dollars just for the front braking system. the brakes stop fast but it makes a noise that kills your ears and also is head turning because it is so loud. i wish that i kept my ford mustang cobra.....

• 

  G35 with 19" performance pkg gets a C- - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Brian33625 - September 16 - 3:56 am

  A good car if youre looking for exterior styling and power - but the love will end there. The quality is poor (especially for this class), the ride is harsh and loud - especially for the mediocre handling this car provides. Infinity could have had a great car with this one, but unfortunately its only a fair car. After owing it for 12 months, Im eager to get rid of it.

• 

  I would not buy a G-35 2003 - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By mrnew - April 5 - 1:46 pm

  Hard to turn, uncomfortable ride, high noise level, 14.9 to 15.1 gass milage in town. 21.7 open road. Electric Window and wiper motors have gone out, read center brake light out. **Oil dip stick design and location**[violative content deleted] Pananger seat is a pain in the ass and back. Hard to get out of. I am an ergonomic engineer MIT and mechanical engineer INIA, I can speek with some athority. The car was given to me, thank god I did not pay for it. Ergonomic design for interior does not match my Honda 2002 4 dr. The Honda is a better car.

• 

  G35X Major Front Brake Problems - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By sarahcuse - December 27 - 2:16 pm

  I recently took Infiniti to arbitration concerning faulty front brakes. I had terrible screaching. Six attempts to fix it. The case came down to a shim issue. They insisted that original shim would fix problem but that was not the case. They truly do not know what is wrong with front braking system. If they do they sure led the arbitrator and myself down a dead end street. In which case I won. They had to buy back vehicle and return ALL my money. ALL OF IT...Might not be all cars.

• 

  Replaced Transmission with less than 40k miles. Manufacturer has no influence over dealership - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By yogiowner - December 19 - 8:05 am

  My car is almost five years old. I tried to keep it in tip top condition. It has less than 50k miles, I changed oil regularly, changed tires, fluids, etc. Went through FOUR dealerships. NONE of them did what I asked. Three of them tried to fleece me. One drove my car for eleven miles, when i brought it in for a manufacturers recall item. Then they came back with some nonsense repairs they wanted to make, that werent needed. After replacing the transmission, the starter is malfunctioning. Instead of doing the thorough check I asked for, they want me to bring it in for a scheduled maintenance next month. Can you say FRAUD! Dont know what to do next, but I will do something

• 

  never an infinti again - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By dcowboys - October 10 - 3:23 am

  I was previously a Lexus owner for the past 7 years. Decided to go with the sleek body of an Infiniti G35. Within two months, began experiencing ignition problems - would sputter and die on cold starts. Dealer worked on it for two weeks before it replaced ECM. Problems are back a month later. Infiniti refuses to replace vehicle.

• 

  Too stiff to ride - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By chris19890101 - June 23 - 3:46 pm

  Have owned this car for almost 5 years now. Cant wait to get rid of it. Ride is too stiff to get comfortable. Driving on a bad road is a nightmare. The interior seems to fall apart every time car goes over a bump. Not to mention rattle sound made by interior plastic. Performance is ok. Other than that, this car stinks. Wouldnt buy this car ever again.

• 

  bad paint job - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By dianne st clair - October 7 - 10:00 am

  My license plate cover started peeling around 3,000 miles. Then I noticed chips in the paint. In September I started going to dealer complaining about paint problems. They kept telling me they would have a paint inspector to come look at car. in Feb.04 I still have not heard from paint inspector. I went back to dealer, Baton Rouge, and was told a paint inspector would call me soon. It is now June 04,2004. I still havent heard from a paint inspector. My car shifts hard and the picture has peeled off of my mirrow, the button I push for the garage opener. I am very desappointed in Infiniti and The dealer. I will not buy another Infiniti.