Infiniti G37 Review

2009 Infiniti G37 S Sport 4dr Sedan Shown

Nissan launched its upscale Infiniti division in 1989 with two unique models and a polarizing ad campaign. Two decades later, Infiniti continues to blaze its own trail in pursuit of luxury, performance and style. The Infiniti G37 sport coupe and sedan are prime examples of this corporate philosophy.

Blessed with a split personality, the rear-wheel-drive G37 will deliver you to work in luxury during the week and then clip apexes all weekend without breaking a sweat. While the coupe technically came first, the G37 sedan is essentially the same vehicle as the second-generation G35 sedan, but with a larger, 3.7-liter V6 engine.

The list of luxury sport coupes and sedans is typically dominated by elite Teutonic nameplates. In readying the G37, Infiniti honed it on test circuits throughout Europe, including Germany's famed Nürburgring. This athletic chassis, along with the G's attractive sticker price, distinctive interior appointments and ample array of technology, makes it well prepared for battle in this class.

Current Infiniti G37

The Infiniti G37 is a luxury sport coupe and sedan offered in four trim levels: base, Journey, G37x and Sport 6MT. In addition to the long list of standard features packaged with each trim level, several options are available a la carte. Audio upgrades, hard-drive-based navigation and adaptive cruise control will entertain the tech-savvy, while the available Sport package (standard on the G37 Sport 6MT and optional on the G37 Journey) will rouse the interest of more aggressive drivers thanks to features like a limited-slip differential, a sport-tuned suspension and brakes, sport seats and bigger wheels. Stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard on all Infiniti G37s, and a pre-collision preparation feature is optional.

The G37 3.7-liter V6 boasts a very healthy 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque fed to either the rear wheels or all four (G37x). In base, Journey and G37x trims, the G37 comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters, while the Sport 6MT features a six-speed manual. Both transmissions have their devotees, but the clutch take-up in the manual is a little too abrupt. Of course when a vehicle has so few faults, it's easy to identify them. Acceleration and mileage numbers are comparable between the automatic and manual, so the choice is a matter of personal preference.

The Infiniti G37 is based on Infiniti's enhanced FM (Front Midship) platform; the company says the structure is 36 percent stiffer than the one used for the first-generation G35 coupe. The suspension is comprised of a double-wishbone design in front and a multilink setup in the rear. The ride is firm on Sport models, but only occasionally sports-car harsh. A four-wheel active steer system (4WAS) is available for those obsessed with pushing the technological envelope, but early reports have been mixed, with several drivers noting diminished steering feedback in vehicles equipped with 4WAS.

The G37 offers user-friendly controls, excellent build quality and a handsome design -- the latter highlighted by such items as the car's leather-accented magnesium transmission paddle shifters and the Japanese "Washi-paper finish" aluminum trim (or optional wood trim). The front seats are comfortable and well-bolstered, and the available sport-styled seats offer even more aggressive bolstering, though they may be a bit too snug for larger drivers. Both the sedan and coupe feel like sports cars wrapped in a luxury car package, but the coupe, with seats that are mounted slightly lower than the sedan's, feels a bit racier.

Overall, the Infiniti G37 stands shoulder to shoulder with all the players in the entry-level luxury segment. Consumers in the market for such a vehicle would be wise to put it at the top of their to-drive list.

Used Infiniti G37 Models

The Infiniti G37 coupe was a new model for 2008; however, it is technically the second-generation version of the G35 coupe. The difference in name is mostly related to the arrival of a new, larger engine. The second-generation G35 sedan became the G37 sedan for 2009 when the 3.7-liter engine was added.

SELECT A SPECIFIC INFINITI G37 MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.