The G35’s 2007-model-year overhaul brought new styling with a cleaner, more muscular look than the car before it. The updates, while significant, were more of an evolution instead of a major step forward. The new design features long lines and dramatic curves that stretch the car’s profile for a dramatic look.
Inside, the G35 is welcoming and cozy, but not cramped. The cabin is sensibly laid out, and though there is a myriad of buttons and controls, it’s all set up to be intuitive and easy to use. The center stack is clean and uncluttered, with a large multi-function knob placed prominently in the middle. Unlike other automakers’ attempts at using “one knob to rule them all,” Infiniti’s execution actually works.
The G35 is every bit a sports car but is capable of being a docile, comfortable, and luxurious people carrier as well. A stab of the throttle awakens the 306-hp 3.5-liter V6 and makes a glorious sound as the engine climbs quickly through its wide powerband. Because it's naturally aspirated, the powerplant can deliver power at low rpm, making it feel lively and quick off the line. The five-speed automatic transmission is responsive and cracks off shifts willingly, and the optional six-speed manual gearbox is tight, precise, and easy to use.
The Infiniti’s ride is comfortable and predictable, and with the Sport model’s four-wheel steering the car holds its own on even the curviest mountain roads. The G’s suspension system keeps it planted and minimizes body roll, but even so, the car manages to remain comfortable and smooth over rough pavement.
Though it's absolutely a sports sedan, the G35 is more than capable of handling family and road trip duties. The front seats are comfortable and offer a variety of adjustment options to allow for an excellent driving position. Those seats, combined with a steering column that offers an equally high level of adjustment, make it hard to be uncomfortable.
Rear seats are nicely padded and have more support than the typical flat bench seats. The Sport Package’s seats are heavily bolstered and have deep buckets with bigtime thigh supports. They function as advertised, holding the driver’s backside firmly in the seat during a spirited drive, but some may find that they’re a bit cramped, especially for larger drivers. All cars, no matter the trim, have rich, soft, leather seats.
Interior space is in line with the rest of the G35’s class. The back-seat legroom is generous, as is headroom, but the car’s sloping roof makes space tight for taller passengers. Trunk space is also competitive, and it features a large opening with a low load-in height, which makes transporting large, heavy items a breeze.
Standard tech features include automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a four-way power passenger’s seat, power windows, power door locks, a power sunroof, an AM/FM/SiriusXM satellite radio audio system, a CD player, MP3 playback, auxiliary inputs, a multi-function trip computer, a seven-inch LCD display, keyless entry, and push-button start. Available features include dual-zone automatic climate control, an in-dash six-disc changer, real-time traffic info, automatic headlights, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a navigation system, an iPod interface, and Bluetooth.
The 2008 Infiniti G35 received mixed results in crash testing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "acceptable" for small overlap front driver-side crashworthiness, "good" for moderate-overlap front and side crashworthiness, "acceptable" for roof strength, and "marginal" for head restraints and seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the G35 five stars for front driver-side crash protection, four stars for the passenger side, five stars in side crash tests, and five stars for rollover resistance.
Standard safety kit includes electronic stability control, traction control, front airbags, side-impact airbags, and side-curtain airbags, height-adjustable safety belts, seatbelt pre-tensioners, an occupancy sensor, a panic alarm, a theft-deterrent system, an ignition-disabling system, and a first aid kit. Available features include adaptive cruise control, Bi-Xenon HID headlights, and directionally adaptive headlights.
The G35’s got a leg up on its German competition in the pricing department. Its MSRP starts at $31,600 for a base rear-drive model with a five-speed automatic transmission. The G35 Journey trim level starts at $32,050, adding all-wheel drive with the G35x will cost $34,100, and the G35 Sport with a six-speed manual runs $32,400.
Fuel economy numbers are strong, even with the powerful V6 engine on board. With rear-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, the base car delivers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 17/24/20 mpg city/hwy/combined. All-wheel drive shifts those numbers to 17/23/19 mpg, and buyers that opt for the range-topping Sport model will see gas mileage of 17/25/20 mpg.
