By Jonny Lieberman
April 23, 2008 - 14,234 Views
When launched, the Infiniti Q45 was infinitely more desirable than Lexus's stuffy LS400. Unfortunately, Lexus had already eclipsed Mercedes as the brand recent Black Sea immigrants asked for by name, and BMWs remained the must-have nouveau riche accessory. Although today's M45 is best-in-class, BMW 5-Series' still runs the schoolyard. Meanwhile, Infiniti (and everybody else) is striving to wrest control of the all-important, profit-laden next class down. So how does Infiniti's AWD 3-Series fighter stack-up?
When images of the second-gen G35 started leaking onto these here internets, I was taken aback by the hood's flowing cut line. Simply perfect. The rest of the car appeared to be a subtle evolution of the old one. Two years later, I still love the hood line. Everything else is tired. Parked next to the current gen Altima, the Nissan is a much more attractive package. The four-door G is just too mousy and restrained. And the taillights are still too damn big. That said, the seven-spoke, 18" aluminum wheels on our tester are impressive.
Inside, it's an entirely different picture. The Infinitis of yore offered cheap Nissan parts binnage, with navigation screens that looked like convenience store cash machines. No more. In fact, the nav screen is the single most gorgeous part of a decidedly swanky interior. Specifically: the sweeping, organic layout of the fun-to-fondle buttons below the screen.
Gizmos abound: Microfiltering HVAC, rear seat-heater ducts, dual antennas and XM radio. The rest of innards are posh, well thought out and supremely comfortable. Even the (useless) faux-flappy-paddles feel fantastic. Off the hill Audi; there's a new haptic king of the hill (with a prince of an XF also fighting for succession).
If one was forced to stereotype Nissan, one might quote the Ferrari dictum: sell them an engine and throw the rest in for free. Since 1994, the VQ family of V6s has been giving customers throughout the model range (Pathfinder, QX, FX, Altima, Murano, Quest, Z, etc.) more power than the competitors at a (usually) lower price, with plenty of torque.
For all-weather entry-level luxury duty, Nissan mates the 3704 lbs. G35x AWD to the 3.5-liter VQ35HR. The HR part of the alphabet soup stands for "High Revolution"– as in a 7500 rpm redline. The spinning metal pumps-out 306 horses at 6,800 rpm and 268 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm. Should you opt for an all wheel-drive (AWD) G, you opt out of the six-speed manual transmission. Although the G35x' cog-swapper is "only" a five-speed, its seamlessness moots any objection. For both around town and highway duty, the G35x has an entirely useful drivetrain.
Yes but… As you'd expect, the G35x' all wheel-drive mechanicals means it weighs more than the standard four-door. Therefore, it takes 5.9 seconds to hit 60 mph; the rear wheel drive makes the same sprint in 5.6 seconds. I can already hear the keyboard clacks of people writing in that some magazines have clocked a G35 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and the G35x AWD in 5.5. And we'll counter that some magazines employ a 1-foot rolling start to consistently record the lowest (and therefore most attention grabbing) numbers.
But my point stands. The AWD G is slower than the regular G.
Not only is the G35x slower on radar, but, worse, it feels more sluggish to the driver. Again, losing a little (though noticeable) straight line thrust in under six-second world is no biggie. After all, you can make the time back in the corners, right? Uh, no.
I've long considered the FM platform to be one of the marvels of the modern automotive landscape. Forget about the Gs and Zs, you ever driven an FX? There's no way a sedan on stilts should be so nimble and so much fun. Yet it is. Sadly, the good times end with the G35x. The steering feels artificially heavy yet distant at all speeds. The car wants to do anything but turn in. Look, I love AWD performance cars. But the engineers need to have AWD in mind from the start. If not, it's like adding on a basement once a house's foundation has been poured– an expensive afterthought.
While not bad in any glaring way, the G35x AWD left me wanting. Especially after spending time in both the Subaru STI and BMW xDrive35i, two 300+ hp AWD cars designed from the outset to butcher the corners and bloody the straights. With those two machines there aren't slimmer, cheaper, equally powerful variants to remind me of money poorly spent.
I'll grant that if you need to blast across South Dakota during a blizzard, the G35x would be a hell of a comfortable way to go. But for all other applications, stick with the original. Or, yeah you guessed it, a 335i.
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More Reviews49 Responses to “ 2008 Infiniti G35x AWD Review ”
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POWERED
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:24 am
Great Review!!!
I think I need a helmet after seeing that the G35 Cockpit. I mean look at that it’s amazing and I always like the g35.
It is not a slow car. now a days on newer engines you need a little push on the gas pedal to accelerate better like what I am doing with my 08 Lancer. It feels heavy but the engine can take more grunt than you expected.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
I think it’s a beautiful car. I guess one man’s blah is another man’s restrained sense of class. I’d rater err on the side of less then more, when it comes to scoops, angles, creases, vents, and bling.
Otherwise you end up with…
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_413/car_photo_206849_5.jpg
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:43 am
I have driven a bunch of 2007-8 G35x’s as loaners
when my 2006 G35 RWD is in for service. I must
say I agree with the review except for a couple
items. I don’t mind the dash in my older model at
all. I prefer not to have everything be on the
LCD display. I have the Nav display but it
can be hidden when not in use. I like the
more minimal dash in my car. The other item is
speed. Floor the G35x and you better hold on!
It’s quite fast, and feels faster than my
298 bhp and much lighter G35. I’m not fan of
automatics but this one shifts quickly and smoothly. The rest of the
review is spot on. The steering is heavy, and
it handles poorly compared to mine, but it’s no slouch
in this area to be clear. And in the snow
it’s pretty awesome, leaves my RWD in back in the
garage.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:44 am
Full disclosure: I own a 2007 G35X
That said, why did I buy it?
I live in the North East - it snows here and I couldn’t bring myself to buy an SUV as my daily driver.
This car has more grunt than a 328xi, and I didn’t want to spend 10 grand more on a 335xi.
Yes you can’t beat the precision of German steering, but this car comes very close. I like high-effort steering.
My wife was also very happy that our daughter and her car seat fit nicely in the back of this car. It would not have fit well in the back of the 328xi.
Finally, the interior is well thought out and beautiful. The 3 series interior feels like the designers held back hoping you would opt for a larger monthly payment on a 5 series.
G35X -> Bigger, powerful, fun to drive for the money.
328xi -> smaller, more tossable, a little less power.
-ted
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 am
I’ve always liked the G35 mostly because of the engine. It’s a shame that so much of the juicy V6 goodness is squandered in the switch to AWD.
I think that RWD sports cars which are modified for AWD never really work. They feel like trucks. Audis and Subarus work because the cheaper models are FWD, and the chassis is set up to understeer anyway.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:10 am
The last time I drove one of these was in ‘04 and was the auto RWD version. What a hoot! I liked that it seemed to have more room than a 3, with more power. Sounds like the playing field has been leveled somewhat, but I still wonder how much handling difference there really is between the 3 and G. For us city dwellers, most “corner carving” occurs on freeway on/off ramps.
I believe this ride is still a bunch less expensive than a 3, no? The G with 306 hp starts at roughly $33k with sport package, and the 335i starts at $43k with it’s sport pkge. Is there really a 10 grand difference in handling?
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 am
jkross22:
The problem with comparing anything to the 335i is what’s under the 335i’s hood. While the 3.5-liter Nissan VQ is a great engine, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo I6 is a superlative engine. A game-changer. I don’t have enough accolades.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 am
I’ve only driven the G35 Sport 5-speed auto, in 2007. I was very impressed with the car’s power, transmission, and smooth ride. It felt large to me in turns (granted I drive a car that weighs 700 pounds less), but hunkered down very nicely.
My wife and I would’ve bought one, instead of our new Legacy GT 5-speed, if not for the lack of fold-down rear seats, teeny tiny trunk opening, and some awkward interior items like the cheap-as-a-kia cupholders (that are also only about 1 inch deep).
That being said, the salesperson who dealt with us at Infiniti was the best dealership experience I’ve had. Ever. I know that’s 100% personality, but we nearly bought from that guy because he knew how to deal with us, and didn’t treat our ~25 year old appearances with disdain.
Joe
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:30 am
Lieberman - I love that engine…..I can’t wait to see what BMW does in ~2009-2012 with adding brake regeneration, stop-start technology, de-coupling alternator, and other efficient dynamic items. I’d expect the 335i to be capable of a rock solid mid 20’s mileage in mixed driving.
Joe
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
In far to many ways a 3 series is a crappy penalty box compared to a G35 that it is not funny! Yeah, yeah, yeah, a 3 series might handle better than a G35, but in the real world so fraekin what! Come on these cars are nothing more than everyday commuter vehicles for about 95% of the owners. Even the majority of “enthusiastic” 3 series owners are NOT going to explore the limits of their 3 series beyond maybe 7 or 8/10ths of its potential if that! Needless to say a 7 or 8/10 the far more powerful g35 will simply spank a 328i all day long.
Once we get past the notion that a 3 series is a better track car and can honestly identify what we really need in an EVERYDAY car the G35 RWD/ AWD starts to look a good deal superior than an equally priced 328i/xi.
The G35 is what it is! An excellent car for less than $40,000. It is powerful, it handles very well, it looks very good, and it has a nice interior that is fully of features. Does a 3 series handle better, yes it is the smaller lighter car, is it not? Regardless, a 328i can only chase after the more powerful G35’s taillights on a good day. A 328i might handle a sharp corner with more grace but the G35 can use its superior power to always gain the advantage. Once equiped with a pricey autobox the 328i is a relatively sluggish vehicle in its class. Nevermind a 328xi, that thing feel like a 4cyl Accord in terms of power. Equiped to the same level of equipment and a 335xi is at least a whopping $10,000 more than a G35x! In all honsesty the g35 is the better looking car between the two. While I will admit that the 3 series has a sleeker interior the G35 does have better materials.
IMHO anyone purchasing the more expensive G35x over the G35 understands that there will be a compromise in terms of weight and handling. On top of that what is the point of an AWD “luxury” car without All-season tires installed, which will also detract from the fine handling of the RWD G35 sport. This the trade-off of owning a RWD biased car in areas that do experince winter weather.