2012 Infiniti G25 and G37 Sedan: Car Seat Check

Parents looking to add some excitement to their lives might consider the Infiniti G sedans. The G25 has a 218-horsepower, 2.5-liter V-6, and the G37 has a larger 3.7-liter V-6 that makes 328 hp. The G37 also comes as a coupe and convertible. While Infiniti says the G seats five, the backseat's middle position is uncomfortable because the outboard seats' bolsters keep the passenger from resting on the seatback. We tested the G25 sedan for the Car Seat Check, but the results also apply to the G37.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and a Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

Year-End Deal Reality Check: Infiniti

Just because the Christmas shopping season is over, doesn't mean the deals are. The end of the year can be a great time to buy a new car. Infiniti's Limited Engagement sale is back this year, enticing new-car shoppers with low financing on new 2011 and 2012 vehicles.

Well-qualified buyers can purchase select 2012 Infiniti cars and SUVs and take advantage of 1.9% or 2.9% financing. The former is offered for between 36 and 60 months, and latter is offered for 72 months. Vehicles that qualify for the deal include 2012 versions of the Infiniti G25 sedan, G37 sedan, M sedan (including the M37, M Hybrid and M56), FX and QX56. The offer excludes the 2012 Infiniti G IPL.

In an effort to clear 2011 vehicles off the lots, Infiniti dealers are also offering the financing special on 2011 G37 coupes and convertibles and the EX35 SUV. For example, you can buy a 2011 G37 coupe starting at $37,150 (excluding destination charges) and get 1.9% financing for 60 months. These offers end Jan. 3.

Recall Alert: 2011 Nissan 370Z, 2011-12 Infiniti G37 Coupe

Nissan is recalling about 1,800 2011 370Z vehicles and 2011-12 Infiniti G37 coupes because a faulty power window could cause a pinch injury before the window automatically reverses, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
 
On the affected vehicles, the power window switch controller is out of specification due to a programming error. In the case of an obstruction, like a finger or body part, the auto reverse — also called pinch protection — will still function, but there’s a chance of a pinch injury before the window reverses.
 
The affected vehicles were built between July 2 and Aug. 29. Dealers will replace the power window switches for free. The recall is expected to start around Nov. 28. For more info, Nissan owners can call 800-647-7261, and Infiniti owners can call 800-662-6200. Either can call NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Reader Review of the Week: 2011 Infiniti G25

“Fast Gal” from Chicago recently traded in her all-wheel-drive BMW 325ix for another all-wheel-drive sports car, the 2011 Infiniti G25x. That should make Infiniti execs ecstatic. While the G25 has proven to be comfortable over long trips, its gas mileage and performance are less than stellar, Fast Gal says. Continue reading the full review — she gives a six-month report — to find out more. Once you’re done, write a review about your own car here.

2012 Infiniti Lineup: Ch-Ch-Changes

The big change for Infiniti’s 2012 lineup is a new hybrid variant of the M sedan and a minor refresh for the FX crossover. The Infiniti M35h went on sale in March, and the FX goes on sale in the October.

You can learn more about the Infiniti M35h here:

• 2012 Infiniti M35h
• 2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid Priced at $53,700

The 2012 FX receives a revised front grille and front end design, a new instrument cluster and standard heated front seats on all models. There’s also a new Limited Edition trim for the FX35 AWD, which includes 21-inch wheels, navigation and an exclusive Iridium Blue exterior color option, among other trim changes.

The rest of Infiniti’s lineup received updated packaging for 2012.

2011 Saab 9-5, 2011-12 Volkswagen CC Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Saab 9-5 and the 2011 and 2012 Volkswagen CC received the Top Safety Pick designation in the midsize luxury/near-luxury category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

These cars had previously earned the title, which is awarded to vehicles that receive the agency’s top rating — Good — in front, side and rear crash tests, and have electronic stability control. But that was before IIHS implemented its tough roof-strength test, making it harder for new cars to be named Top Safety Picks. To pass the test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The VW CC’s roof can withstand 4.4 times its own weight; the 9-5 can withstand 5.85 times its own weight.

The Top Safety Pick designation on the CC applies only to the front-wheel-drive model because the heavier all-wheel-drive model was rated Acceptable in the roof-strength test.

Neither vehicle has been fully tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, whose tests include more side impact test data.

Altogether, IIHS recently completed roof-strength tests for eight midsize/large family and luxury cars. The 2011 Lexus ES 350 earned a Good rating in roof strength, but it was rated Acceptable for rear crash protection. The 2011 BMW 3 Series, Chevrolet Impala, Infiniti G series, Lexus IS and Saab 9-3 all earned Acceptable ratings in the roof-strength test.

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Infiniti G Series Sedan

The second-generation Infiniti G series has been on sale for four model years and counting, and it is aging well, says Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays. And with the introduction of a more affordable G25 and the high-performance G37 IPL, there’s more to choose from. We recently got our hands on the new IPL and the all-wheel-drive G37x trims. Continue reading to see how each fares against venerable nameplates like the BMW 3 Series:

2011 Infiniti G37 Review

Infiniti Prices 2011 G Coupe, Convertible, High-Performance Model

Infiniti has priced its 2011 Infiniti G coupe and convertible with modest modifications and price updates, and it has priced its new high-performance trim, called the IPL series, which we detailed here.

The G37 coupe and convertible get a new front bumper and new 18- and 19-inch wheel designs.

The 2011 G37 coupe comes in at $36,200, a $150 increase from last year. Some features have been shuffled: The Sport Package is now available on all-wheel-drive trims, and the Navigation Package now joins the Premium Package as standard equipment on the Sport trim with manual transmission.

The 2011 G37 convertible starts at $44,500, another $150 bump from the 2010 model year. It gets a new Limited Edition trim with unique content and a red leather upholstered interior for $56,750.

In addition to the G37 updates, Infiniti is unleashing an all-new high-performance lineup, called the Infiniti Performance Line. The IPL coupe will start at $47,950 with a six-speed manual. Pricing for the convertible has not been announced.

Along with the new high-end additions to the G coupe and convertible, the G sedan will get a new bargain-basement G25 edition for 2011, starting at $30,950.

The G25 sedan went on sale this month, and the 2011 G37 coupe and convertible will go on sale in early November, followed by the IPL coupe and convertible in December.

Continue reading below for more detailed pricing.

Infiniti Unveils IPL G Convertible Concept

Besides showing off its first electric vehicle, Infiniti made another announcement today at the Paris Motor Show, this time regarding its fledgling performance lineup. The Infiniti Performance Line G convertible features many of the same upgrades we saw the IPL G coupe, except this model is based on the retractable hardtop G convertible.

The IPL version features a 348-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6, with high-flow full dual exhaust and sport-tuned suspension and steering. Along with that, the IPL G convertible features aesthetic changes such as red leather upholstery, special issue 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and aerodynamic enhancements to the front and rear ends, side sills and rear spoiler.

The Infiniti IPL G convertible will go on sale at dealerships in December, so we’re not sure why it’s called a concept.

Navigation Systems Put to the Test: The Results

On Wednesday, we laid out plans to take several navigation systems — the pricey factory systems in an Acura TSX, a BMW 3 Series and an Infiniti G37, plus a $180 handheld Garmin Nuvi 255W — and see how they dealt with a range of simple and challenging routes. We started easy, then threw in everything from pit stops and missed exits to recently constructed highways and brand-new housing developments.

The results were illuminating. By day’s end, each of the systems had stumbled at least once. But when we tallied the evaluation, BMW’s Harman-supplied system won the day.

We’ll explain.