The Urban DINK: 2007 Infiniti G35x

At a wedding not too long ago, a fellow Urban DINK started quizzing me about the new BMW 3 Series and if it was worth the money. The new 3 Series is a great car, but if you have to ask “is it worth the money,” a car like the G35 is probably a better choice. Not because their prices are astronomically different; the 328 starts $1,500 higher than the G35, and the 335 and its larger engine are roughly $7,000 more.

No, it’s because, after a week in an all-wheel-drive G35x, I realized this car is almost as good as a 3 Series on equal footing. Sure, we beat the two together last fall, but on its own, with an automatic, I enjoyed the G35 almost as much as the 3 Series (the 335 with the new twin-turbo is just too amazing to beat out).

The interior quality is so much better in the new G35 than the previous model that, besides the window switches, I’d say it was more attractive inside than the BMW, and much more ergonomically pleasing. All the buttons on the center stack felt great, and the dial/knob/buttons for the navigation system had a nice weight to them. The steering wheel was well-balanced and full of useful buttons, and, as is true in most Infinitis, the most ergonomic features were the stubby stalks for the turn signals and wipers. They’re the perfect length with the perfect feedback. Sometimes it’s the little things.

My main beef my last time in the new G35 was the manual transmission, which I thought was a bit crude for a luxury sedan. It should be noted that three other reviewers at Cars.com all disagreed with me. My tester this week had the automatic with manual shift capability. I just left the thing in drive and let my right foot do all the work. The 306-hp V-6 engine is a thing of beauty. It sounds great, responds immediately and seems to deliver endless power. Getting onto the highway is just a blast. Then there’s the all-wheel drive, which held up in extremely icy conditions and unplowed alleys with near SUV-like confidence.

Nothing about the exterior really thrilled me, but the look shouted “I’m a luxury car,” with its large, chrome grille. When I valet parked at a nice downtown-Chicago restaurant, the guy in the red jacket kept it up front without any added monetary enticement, and that was during the nasty weather when the G35 had been caked with dirt. Still, the inside was what really sold me. The seats were nice, the gauges glowed a subtle blue and that center stack is one of the best I can remember.

As far as Urban DINK-itude goes, the G35x could win an award. If only we didn’t have a dog I’d think about getting one myself. The next person to ask me about a 3 Series might get a more definitive answer now.

*I apologize for the lack of images. Bad weather, a busy auto show schedule and forgetting my camera during Sunday errand runs are all to blame.

Related:
The Urban DINK: 2007 Audi S6
The Urban DINK: Acura RDX

Comments

[BJ]

The G35 should be the pinnacle of the entry-level sport sedan, but because of bias from the automotive world, the 3 series is still at the top

[Dave T.]

BJ,
To me it does win out on most fronts except it doesn't have that amazing twin turbo in the new 335.

[Brian E]

Hi Dave,

How would you rate the interior (in particular the center stack) of the G35 against that of the TSX? I was very disappointed in the interior quality of the previous G35; it sounds as if they've fixed much of the materials quality, but the pictures I've seen of the new design haven't really wowed me. How does it stack up in person?

[Cody]

I know this isn't going to be popular, but I really wish they sold a G25 as well, with the Altima's 4-banger. I previously owned a 93 G20 and loved it. It was a great little economy car with a real up-level feel, especially when compared against similarly sized cars. That even held true up to the day I sold it back in 2003. I like the new G35, but I'd like to be able to buy the car with a smaller engine that could get over 30mpg. I hear that they sell it with the smaller engine in Japan, but I'm not sure.

[J]

Cody

I just checked the Nissan Japanese website (I can read it).
Just to let you know, they do in fact have a smaller engine choice over there, however, it is a 2.5L V6, not a 4-cylinder.

Dave,
I wish to know more about how did it perform during the snow storm yesterday, was the AWD system worth the money for people living in the snowing states?

[Dave T.]

Brian E,
I liked the TSX when it came out but I think by now it's probably showing some age, especially compared to the revamped G35. The new interior in the G is really, really nice. Definitely above the Lexus ES or IS and close to the 3 Series on every level except perhaps the leather seats and window switches. But it is much more ergonomic/friendly, stereo rocks (it records your cds for playback later) etc.

J,
The AWD performed exceptionally well getting me out of my side street in Chicago (unplowed) pretty easily. It does have a "snow" setting which I left on the entire time. The only car that really blew me away during the test was a Cherokee SRT8. Otherwise it kept up with about everything else on the road ;)

Cody,
I don't think they offer a lesser engine because of the great price point its already at. I don't think they want a sub-$30K Infiniti. You might as well just get the altima then right?

[Juan Carlos]

bj, you speak of bias and might be right, now you know how many domestics feel. they might be just as good or even better at some things, but rarely do they get the benefit of the doubt.

[J]

Dave,

The Grand Cherokee is a SUV high off the ground right? How about cars only?

Can you imagine the very same ATTESA-ETS putting on the new GTR?

[Cody]

Yeah, I know I could buy an Altima, but the interior wouldn't be as nice. Also, I wouldn't get the type of service department treatment with an Altima that I would with an Infiniti. I remember taking my 9 year old Infiniti in for some work to a dealership I didn't even buy it from and being handed the keys to a one year old I30 to take it's place. Try getting that kind of treatment from a Nissan dealership...

I do understand your point about a sub-$30K Infiniti, but it is a shame. I car doesn't have to have 300hp to be a great driving car, and it would definitely help at the gas pump.

[Jack]

The funny thing about car reviews is that rarely if ever does the person have to live with the car for an extended period of time (12 months or greater). I recently came out of a 330i due to an accident and could not have been happier. Just to many electrical problems coupled with two dealers with bad attitudes pushed me to jump brand. Who ever heard of replacing a seat, windshield, and entire stearing rack due to defects all within the first 1,500 miles! The car was nice, but in this day and age I DON'T want to know my service advisors names or phone number off the top of my head especially at that price level.
I would have bought the G but Infiniti was not going to have my preferred color combo available for up to six weeks so I bought a ES instead. I must say the two Infiniti dealers I went too were class acts. After a brief discussion the second dealer gave me the keys to the G demo and said, "Have it back in the next two hours." After a lengthy test drive I think those who buy the 3 Series will be pleased as long as they are under warranty and even then that can get real old real fast.
Given another chance I would take the Gx over the 3 Series no questions asked.

[Vincent]

does the G35 work like the maxima?
because they say it is with a Ikey. and the maxima works with a switch, but on the photo's you can't tell if the G35 has it to, please answer me.