INFINITI G35 vs BMW 5 Series

Nissan's premium brand, Infiniti, has long been an also-ran, as Lexus and Acura tend to dominate the conversation in the Japanese premium-vehicle space. The recently-redesigned Infiniti G35 sedan might help Infiniti break free of the others’ shadows, however, because it’s got the performance, standard features, and price to be a real breakout hit.

A major overhaul for the 2007 model year brought a striking new design, an updated engine, and an overhauled interior with upgraded finishes and materials. The G35 is targeted at new-car buyers that want a sporty premium sedan at a reasonable price. It competes with cars from brands such as Audi, Cadillac, BMW, and the aforementioned Acura and Lexus.

The 2008 model is offered in two configurations: A standard rear-wheel-drive model and the all-wheel-drive Infiniti G35x. Both models get a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 306 horsepower, which reaches either the rear or all four wheels through a standard five-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is available for cars equipped with the optional Sport package.

An Infiniti G37 Coupe is offered as well, but has a different engine and is covered separately.

BMW was once known for sports sedans, and the 5 Series was one of the most prolific of those sedans. Sitting between the 3 Series and 7 Series in size and price, previous generations of 5 Series were known for a balance of performance and luxury, with impeccable engineering throughout.

Today, the BMW 5 Series is largely irrelevant. The 3 Series is now so big that there is less reason to upgrade, and most buyers are more interested in SUVs anyway. The competition—including the Audi A6, Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S90—has also gotten better.

That doesn’t mean BMW has given up on the 5 Series. The current generation (codename G30) arrived for the 2017 model year, but it gets a midcycle refresh (or LCI, short for “Life Cycle Impulse,” in BMW speak) for 2021. Major updates include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling changes.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series is not like the 5 Series models of old. That may drive away hardcore car fans, but the 2021 model makes a strong case to new-car buyers, maintaining sportier-than-average driving dynamics, along with the tech and luxury features expected of a car in this segment.