When it comes to luxury cars, many automakers spin off their fancy offerings into a separate brand. Honda has Acura, Toyota has Lexus, and Nissan has Infiniti. Back in the early 2000s, Infiniti was struggling to find its hold in the luxury sport segment. The closest thing it had on offer was the G20, a front-wheel drive (FWD) four-cylinder that left reviewers less than enthused.

Enter the 2003 Infiniti G35. Available in both sedan and coupe body styles, this sports car was just the kick the brand needed to compete head-to-head with the likes of the BMW 3 Series, the Audi A4 and the Lexus IS 300. Like the Nissan 350Z, the G35 was built on Nissan’s FM rear-wheel drive platform—FM signifying “front midship.” This simply means that the engine’s centerline is placed behind the front axle.

Both the sedan and the coupe had the same 112.2-inch wheelbase, but the coupe was about four inches shorter overall and three inches lower in height. The cars were equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, and with it positioned behind the front axle, they had a near 50:50 front-to-rear weight balance.

Both the coupe and sedan came with a robust list of standard features, but buyers could add a few packages to improve suspension or comfort. The award-winning Infiniti G35 offered a less-expensive alternative to German sport sedans and sport coupes. Although they weren’t in production for very long, they are now coveted by enthusiasts for their stellar handling and close-ratio six-speed manual transmissions.

Generations: Two

• Infiniti G35 1st Generation
• Infiniti G35 2nd Generation

Pros: Entertaining ride, plenty of power, roomy interior
Cons: Can’t get AWD with the manual, sub-par interior materials, less power in automatic transmission coupe models

Infiniti G35 2nd generation (2007)

Think of 2007 as a half-new generation for the G35. The sedan got some evolutionary styling updates, but the coupe remained the same. People liked this year’s model for its bargain price compared to its German competitors and its stellar performance.

The Infiniti G35 sedan was available in five trims: G35, G35 Journey, G35x, G35 Sport, and G35 Sport 6MT. The 3.5-liter V6 underwent heavy revisions and now pushed out 306 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with rev matching or a six-speed manual transmission. Most G35 sedans were rear-wheel drive (RWD) with the exception of the G35x, which pushed power to all four wheels.

The Infiniti G35 coupe, meanwhile, was available in two models: G35 Coupe and G35 Coupe 6MT. Under the hood was the same 3.5-liter V6 that was found in the sedan, just with different power outputs. The five-speed automatic transmission is good for 275 ponies and 268 pound-feet of torque, while the mill mated to the six-speed manual gets 293 horses.

Neither the coupe nor the sedan made it to a third generation, or even to 2008; they were replaced instead by the G37 coupe and sedan. The Infiniti G series would die with the G37 after the 2013 model year.

Infiniti G35 1st generation (2003-2006)

The G35 stormed onto the market in 2003 in both coupe and sedan form, wowing reviewers and buyers alike with its luxury styling and impressive performance. The sedan was available in three models: G35 Sedan, G35 Sedan Leather, and G35 Sedan Sport 6MT. The coupe got the same treatment with the G35 Coupe 5A/T, G35 5A/T Coupe w/Leather, and G35 6M/T Coupe.

Both cars featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine but with varying performance. The sedan pushed out 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque and was mated to a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The coupe, however, goes a bit bigger with 280 ponies and 270 pound-feet of twist. Again, that can be mated to a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Both cars were rear-wheel drive.

Both cars had virtually the same interior, including a cool optional navigation system with 6.5-inch retractable monitor and plenty of leather. The G35 sedan started at an MSRP of $27,645, while the coupe started at a few grand more.

In 2004, an all-wheel drive (AWD) trim was added to the sedan—the G35 Sedan Leather AWD. Improving the drive experience was a standard viscous limited-slip differential in the rear on the Leather 6MT model. The coupe remained the same.

The 2005 model year brought a slight refresh to the G35 sedan, with revamped front and rear fasciae and wheels. The V6 mated to the five-speed automatic got a bump to 280 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Drivers who chose the 6-speed manual transmission were rewarded with 298 ponies, but the same 260 pound-feet of torque. The sedan also got larger brakes in 2005, as well as the option of a rear limited-slip differential. Similarly, the coupe equipped with the six-speed manual transmission got a bump to 298 horsepower.

The sedan remained the same for 2006, but the coupe improved with available rear active steering.