2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan

Although the brand new Infiniti G35 sedan has been on the streets now for a while, every time I see one, I have this momentary “What is that??” reaction. To me, this is the ultimate compliment for a car’s aesthetics: that its looks are so compelling one continues to be stunned time and again.

However, exterior pizzazz is just one corner of the picture that has critics and consumers alike frothing over this redesigned sedan, which bears little resemblance to the G20 it replaces (that also got plenty of “What is that?” reactions, but for entirely different reasons). The 2003 G35’s performance, comfort and luxuries are also creating quite a stir. This is clearly a new day for Infiniti, Nissan’s upscale division. From the looks of the G35, we have every reason to believe it’s going to be a sunny one.

The Good News
Whereas the G20 was always an eager-to-please but prone-to-snoring sedan, the G35 rolls out with an unmistakably cocky attitude. Distinctive sport styling, rear-wheel-drive platform and the 3.5-liter V6 all send a very clear message that this sedan intends to compete.

The designers here have done an exceptional job of creating a look that is race-car aerodynamic and very contemporary without being weird. The nose is long and low, the back end short and high, and the front and rear views are like nothing else out there. But instead of pounding us with angles and exaggeration, designers blended lines so the profile almost has a touch of European classic about it.

In the sport sedan category, however, one doesn’t make it on looks alone. With a half-liter more displacement and more horses and torque than most competitors (260 horses/260 ft-lbs of torque), independent multi-link suspension front and rear, excellent brakes and communicative steering, the G35’s new-kid-on-the-block swagger isn’t all talk. The G35 is fast, confident and rewarding to drive. It feels as good as it looks and will likely give some established class leaders (can you say BMW 5-Series?) more than a little discomfort.

It will do nothing of the sort to its passengers, however. Thanks to an extra long, 112-inch wheelbase and other generous dimensions that make the G35 comparable in size to the BMW 5-Series, the luxurious cabin affords “wow” comfort, especially for backseat passengers. Furthermore, the interior experience contradicts the G35’s aggressive performance with a permeating quiet and an unruffled ride. Remarkable, really. Most remarkable of all is the fact that the G35 costs significantly less than everything it eyes as competition, some by many thousands.

The Bad News
Currently, the only available transmission is an electronic five-speed automatic borrowed from the Q45. It’s a good transmission, shifting smoothly and allowing those who buy this car for its racy attributes to prod it all the way to redline. A manumatic feature comes standard for that other bunch who occasionally like to pretend they’re shifting. I have little use for the concept.

It’s not the automatic I criticize, but the lack of an alternative. All I can say about the glaring omission of a 5- or 6-speed manual with a real clutch, is What WAS Nissan thinking? To endow a sport sedan with so much promise then to deny it an essential connection to its best self makes no sense. Lincolns and Cadillacs shift manually, for Pete’s sake.

Nissan acknowledges its transgression and says the manual is on its way. I am just appalled we had to even ask.

The only other aspect to give me real pause involves some slightly odd interior choices. Although the layout doesn’t totally confound, it doesn’t exactly make friends easily. For example, the power seat controls are mounted on the seat bolster near the center console, where you least expect to find them. There are two small glove boxes where one would do nicely, and I am always bothered by electronic readouts of climate control, etc. far removed from the actual manipulations. Not to mention I can’t begin to see these readouts whenever I’m wearing dark shades.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 19 mpg city/26 highway

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $28,950;
Price as tested, $34,220

Is it worth it?
Inflating the price on my test vehicle was a $1,000 glass sunroof, $550 worth of spoiler/diffusers, $550 for Xenon headlamps, $425 for sport-tuned suspension and a $2,200 Premium Package that added 200-Watt Bose audio, reclining rear seat backs, power passenger’s seat, dual temp control and a few other incidentals. Leather is standard on this model.

With the exception of the sport-tuned suspension and spoiler/diffusers, none of these extras have huge impact on the G35’s impressive driving capabilities or sexy looks. That means the best of what the G35 offers is available for under $30,000. That’s exceptional. I think Nissan/Infiniti has hit it a home run with this G35, even if it has temporarily tripped over its own shoelace with the omission of a manual tranny. This car has everything enthusiasts demand in a sport sedan and a few things normal people like, too. Like legroom and a comfortable ride.

It should be noted this rear-drive platform shows up again soon at Infiniti in a hotter coupe version of the G35 (and in Nissan’s 2003 350Z, the renaissance of the beloved Z-car) and later in a V8-powered sport utility.

Like I said, a new day is definitely dawning at Infiniti. Keep those sunglasses handy.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.