The old adage of the sequel never being as good as the original couldn't have been far from the Infiniti designers' minds when they set out to pen the second generation of the G35 sedan. Jason Fogelson tested the outgoing version in 2005 and still talks fondly about it as one of his favorite sport sedans; now it's my turn with the new version. So how does the new G35 compare to the original? Read on and find out. Price range $32,150 - $42,380, EPA fuel economy 19 city/25-27 highway.
First Glance: Faster looks, faster engine
Larger exterior photos: Front rearThe new G35 is, to my eye, a styling coup. Infiniti took familiar elements from the first-generation G35 sedan, such as the L-shaped taillights (link goes to photo), and applied them to a new, sinewy shape with emphasized sports-car lines: A long hood that flows and bulges over the fenders and a short trunk that blends almost seamlessly into the rear window. The old G35 was luxury-car handsome, but the new one is sports-car sexy.
Improvements under the hood include Nissan's updated VQ-series engine. Displacement is the same at 3.5 liters, but horsepower is up to 306. Other engine improvements include a higher redline (7,600 RPM vs 6,600), stronger structure, and updates to the variable valve timing system. In addition to rear-wheel-drive, Infiniti now offers an all-wheel-drive version called the G35X. The all-wheel-drive system is notable not so much for its technology but for having the mother of all acronyms: ATTEAS E-TS, which stands for Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split (shouldn't that be ATTEASFAETS?). Bet that one will roll right off the sales reps' tongues.
For my test, Infiniti supplied me with a G35 Sport model, the only version available with either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic (my tester had the latter). Other versions of the G35 include the G35 Base, G35 Journey, and aforementioned G35X, all of which are automatic-only.
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In the Driver's Seat: Form rules over function
The Infiniti G35's interior displays the blend of sports-car chic and luxury-car class that parent company Nissan does so well. My test car had an all-black cabin trimmed with metal patterned to look like rice paper -- very cool. The comfortable front seats include a manually adjustable thigh bolster.
One feature I really liked is the power-adjustable steering column. The instrument cluster moves with the wheel, so you always have a clear view of the gauges. But I didn't care for the elongated gearshift paddles, which are anchored to the steering column and don't rotate with steering wheel. Turn the wheel more than 70 degrees or so and you can't reach them. And while I'm complaining, the cupholders are too wide and shallow to secure a cup or bottle securely -- a major oversight in a car designed for spirited driving.
My test car didn't have a navigation system, but it did have a color LCD touchscreen to control climate and stereo functions. I loathe these systems; they distract attention from the road. Fortunately most tasks can be accomplished with redundant buttons located elsewhere on the dash.
The back doors are shaped for easy entry, but lack of headroom and toe space make back seat accommodations on par with a compact car (actually, many compacts are better). Theoretically one could seat three across, but the shape of the seat and the big driveline tunnel bisecting the floor would make it very uncomfortable. The trunk is tiny with big fender intrusions, and there's no fold-down seat, only a narrow pass-through for skis.
On the Road: Sports-car ride and lots of power - maybe too much
The G35's sports-car feel is its best attribute. The Sport model I drove has lower-profile tires than the other models, which no doubt made the hard sports-car ride even firmer, though the suspension did do an admirable job of taking the edge off the really sharp bumps.The handling of the G35 Sport encompasses everything car enthusiasts love about rear-wheel-drive. Corner fast enough and the rear end will slide a bit, with the electronic stability control (Infiniti calls it VDC, for Vehicle Dynamics Control) stepping in to keep the car from getting too far sideways. In a way, driving the G35 is like playing a video game: It feels like you can do anything, but the computers step in before you can do any real damage to yourself or the car.
I wasn't daring enough to turn off VDC, not without a closed racetrack that had plenty of run-off space. The G35 has a problem known as power-on oversteer. With 270 lb-ft of torque from its engine, the G35 is more than willing to spin its rear wheels, and anything but the most gentle prod of your accelerator foot coming out of a corner causes the tires to break loose and the car to fishtail (oversteer). An over-zealous throttle foot would almost positively lead to a spin-out if VDC wasn't there to step in. Likewise, the electronics are a boon in the rain; with VDC off it's almost impossible to pull away from a stop without spinning the wheels when the pavement is wet.
Journey's End: Still the definitive four-door sports car
The G35's design does have its drawbacks: Rear seat accommodations, trunk size and shape, and fuel economy (I averaged in the high teens) are all inferior to the average mid-size car. If your taste in ride quality is more Cadillac than Corvette, I'd check out the front-wheel-drive Lexus ES350 instead. Lexus also offers up the rear-wheel-drive IS-series, which has a 300-ish horsepower V6, just like the G, along with a smaller 2.5 liter V6. It lacks the power-on oversteer problem, but it also lacks the G35's sports-car feel -- the IS is a cruiser, the G35 is a runner.
The G's closest rival is the BMW 3-series sedan, but the two cars have a completely different feel; while the Bimmer is a true pedigreed sports-sedan-slash-status-symbol, the G35 is more like a Nissan 350Z in a finely tailored Italian suit -- and I mean that that as a compliment. Chances are both the Lexus and the BMW will impress the neighbors more. But if you love to drive -- more specifically, if you love to drive fast -- the Infiniti G35 is the way to go. -- Aaron Gold
