Infiniti Prices G37 Convertible at $43,850

Infiniti’s new G37 hardtop convertible will go on sale for $43,850 just in time for consistently warm weather and sunny summer skies. The G37 ‘vert is scheduled to go on sale June 19 and will offer a base G37 convertible trim and a G37 Sport 6MT, which will go for $43,900. Prices do not include an $865 destination fee.

All G37s use a three-piece power hardtop that retracts into the trunk area. Base convertibles come with a seven-speed automatic transmission and leather seats. As a testament to the G37’s credentials for sport enthusiasts, Sport trims add a six-speed manual transmission, just like the sedan and coupe. Also included on Sports are sport-tuned steering, larger brakes and 19-inch wheels.  

The G37’s optional equipment is tailored to the convertible experience. An available Premium Package — $3,250 on base models and $3,050 on Sport trims — includes an active climate control system that adjusts fan speed according to the top’s position and the vehicle’s speed. Also included in the package is a Bose sound system that features speakers in the headrest to match sound levels in an open-air cabin.

The G37 convertible is priced roughly in the middle of competing hardtop convertibles like the BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS 250C and IS 350C, and the Volvo C70.

• 2010 Lexus IS 250C — $38,490
• 2009 Volvo C70 — $39,800
• 2009 Infiniti G37 convertible base — $43,850  
• 2009 Infiniti G37 convertible Sport — $43,900
• 2010 Lexus IS 350C — $43,940
• 2009 BMW 328 i convertible — $44,550
• 2009 BMW 335 I convertible — $50,700

2009 Infiniti EX35 Gets More Equipment, Higher Price

Infiniti has decided to up the standard equipment level in its EX35 crossover to include leather seats, roof rails and a rearview monitor. That also bumps the starting price to $33,800 from $31,900. The base model is still rear-wheel drive, and all EX35s feature the same 297-hp V-6 engine. The 2009s go on sale starting today.

All-wheel-drive models now start at $35,200, and better-equipped Journey models start at $36,000. The Journey trim adds a standard six-disc CD changer, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel and dual-zone climate control. There are a number of option packages that are also more condensed. We list them below.

The EX hasn't set the world on fire in terms of sales. Through April, sales are down 22.7% compared to the same time last year, and they’re down 43.3% in April alone. In Infiniti’s lineup, it only does better in terms of sales than the M sedan and QX56 SUV.

Check out our review of the 2008 EX35 here. 

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Infiniti G37

Replacing the G35 sedan, the G37 comes with more power and adds two new body styles. In this review, Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays looks specifically at the G37 Sport coupe. He compares the G37 to other two-door vehicles, but most specifically to BMW’s 335i. Mays finds that the G37 makes for a very tempting alternative to the pricier 335i. Read his full review to find out why.

2009 Infiniti G37 Review

2009|Infiniti|G37

Infiniti's Simple, Sophisticated iPod Interface

Last week, I was impressed with the lowly Chevy Cobalt’s new USB input and interface for MP3 players. This week, I was reminded just how well other companies manage similar tasks. Now, there’s a big difference between a $17,000 Cobalt and a $44,000 Infiniti G37 coupe — well more than one big difference — but the interface in the G37 has been around for a few years not only in the Infiniti lineup, but in a few Nissans, too. And it is really a terrific way to play your music.

2009 Infiniti M35 Video

Is the Infiniti M old hat? In the wake of new introductions from Mercedes-Benz and Audi, some are saying yes, but Kelsey Mays points out the fact that the M has been a perennial Cars.com favorite since its introduction. How does the 2009 M35 stack up? Mays decides whether the M35 still impresses him in this video review.

Through Ian's Lens: 2009 Infiniti M35x

Of all the luxury car manufacturers out there (exotics excluded), Infiniti would get my vote for classiest and cleanest interior design. Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi would all place a close second to the sleek and elegant dashboards, smooth leather upholstery, curved center stack and ergonomically correct backseats of any of Infiniti’s models.

Case in point: the 2009 Infiniti M35x four-door sedan. A great mix of matte-finished dark wood grain and chrome trim highlight the elegance of Infiniti’s dashboard. The buttons are sleek and functional, while an analog clock sits gently in the middle as a design nod to cars of yesteryear. The cabin’s classiness is overshadowed only by its functionality. And remember, this car hasn’t had a radical update in a few years.

Please leave your remarks in the comments section; a full set of photos is below. Feel free to use the full-screen mode on the photo browser.

Infiniti Hybrid Planned for 2010

Nissan wants to catch up to its rivals, Toyota and Honda, in the hybrid market and will introduce a luxury hybrid sometime next year, according to Japanese business daily Nikkei.

Though Nissan has used Toyota’s hybrid system in the past, on the Nissan Altima Hybrid, it plans to introduce its own hybrid drivetrain this time around, likely for the Infiniti M sedan.

It’s a somewhat questionable move considering the spotty sales record of luxury hybrids so far. Nissan need only look at the competition — Toyota, which has had a tough time selling luxury hybrids under the Lexus badge.

You have to wonder if promoting the Altima Hybrid nationally or building a model that could compete directly with the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight would be a better use of resources.

Report: Nissan Planning Luxury Hybrid in 2010 (BusinessWeek)

2009 Infiniti M35 DVD Studio Surround System Reviewed

A few weeks ago, I was tasked with driving my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law to every ballroom in Chicago to see if any would be suitable to host their upcoming wedding.

Of course, I didn’t want to pay for parking at all these stops, so I stayed in the car. Which meant I had to come up with something to do while I waited, flashers blinking. The first thing that came to mind was watching a movie. While I could sit with my iPhone in hand and use a set of headphones for sound, I knew there was a better option. The Infiniti M35x I was driving had the optional Bose Studio Surround sound system. This includes digital 5.1 decoding, a DVD drive, and 14 high-quality Bose speakers. When I think of the best surround-sound experience, I instantly think of the first “Matrix” movie. So, I put the DVD in the center-counsel-mounted DVD drive and we were off.

Infiniti Essence Concept at 2009 Geneva Motor Show

• Looks like: Infiniti is still employing the designer of the new FX
• Defining characteristics: 592-hp hybrid sports car
• Ridiculous features: For a high-end sports car, not many
• Chance of being mass-produced: If the economy were booming, we’d say good

Infiniti clearly started designing the Essence concept in better times. How else to explain a nearly 600-hp sports car concept with a hybrid powertrain and rear-wheel drive? We’re sure a year ago it sounded like a slam-dunk, but how quickly things change.

Still, this concept should be applauded. The proposed power plant puts a twin-turbo V-6 up front that’s good for 434 hp. In back is a lithium-ion powered electric motor designed for high-performance applications, producing another 158 hp. It’s a neat layout, too, because the electric parts, the battery and motor are behind the front seat. Many sports cars don’t have rear seats anyway, and cargo room is rarely a real concern.

In the looks department, besides the big-mouth-bass-like grille, the Essence is striking. Bulging fenders are part of the company’s new design language, and the streaky headlights remind us of those on the new Nissan 370Z and Maxima.

We imagine Infiniti could build this car sans the hybrid powertrain pretty easily. Either way, we doubt there would be many people to buy one these days, which is too bad. Because that means we won’t get to drive one.

More photos below.

Cars.com Reviews the Infiniti G37x Sedan

Infiniti’s G sedan has had the BMW 3 Series in its crosshairs for some time now. Over the years, the model has evolved, adding a convertible and a more powerful engine to the sedan for 2009.

Does the G37xS have what it takes to tackle not only its competition, but also adverse conditions? Cars.com resident expert Joe Wiesenfelder just got done sloshing a new G37xS all-wheel-drive sedan through Chicago’s snowy roads, so read his full review to find out.

2009 Infiniti G37x Review