2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan

Shod with all the amenities expected in an Infiniti, the G35 still allows for options. Leather upholstery is one available upgrade, as is wood-trim and a Premium Package, which includes a Bose stereo and multi-power-adjust seats.

Rounding out the G35's impressive hardware portfolio are 205/65VR16 tires on 16x6.5 aluminum wheels and a driver-selectable Vehicle Dynamics Control system complete with full-range traction-control circuitry. More demanding performance types can kick things up a notch with a Sport-Tuned Suspension Package that appeared on our test car. It bumps rates on the springs/shocks, nets more-aggressive 215/55VR17 rubber on 17x7 alloys and adds titanium-look interior trim on the center console.


Set it in motion and the G35 quickly merits just about every plaudit you can throw at it. Agile, responsive and superbly balanced will do for starters. With a 52/48-percent weight distribution that slightly pre-loads the front end as it enters a corner, this Infiniti reacts quickly and positively to all driver inputs. Brisk turn-ins can be augmented using the throttle or brakes to predictably rotate its tail, and the passive/aggressive nature of the stability control is loose enough to permit a good deal of fun on your favorite backroad yet sufficiently vigilant to step in before all but the most egregious errors end up in catastrophic mode.

Nissan is justifiably proud of its V-6 engine development. In the G35, the corporate VQ 3.5-liter all-aluminum engine produces 260 high-tech horses.

A great chassis deserves an equally brilliant engine. Here, too, the G35 shows its thoroughbred pedigree. Underhood lies the latest variation of Nissan's corporate 3.5-liter VQ V-6, an all-aluminum DOHC motivator that features continuously variable valve timing and makes a stout 260 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Backed by a standard 5-speed automatic that offers a manual shift gate, Infiniti claims this light, compact six will boost the 3,324-pound G35 from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds. That figure promises to get even better later in the year, when a 6-speed manual joins the lineup—along with a G35 coupe.


Inside, the G35 deftly interweaves a host of overt sporting cues, adult-friendly proportions in all seating positions and a massive array of standards. Even the entry-level cloth-upholstered G35, which starts at just $27,100, includes all of the aforementioned mechanical goodies plus automatic climate control, power windows/locks/mirrors, AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo with 6-disc in-dash changer, front/front-side/side-curtain airbags, cruise control, remote keyless entry and a unique adjuster system that tilts both the steering wheel and main instrument cluster to ensure unimpeded sight-lines to the orange-on-black gauges.


Step up to the $28,950 leather-swathed version we drove and an 8-way power driver's seat joins the mix as well. In addition to its upgraded suspension, our car also had a moonroof and Bose stereo, which popped its price tag to $31,820, including $545 in freight. Other options are few, and only available on the leather-spec G35. They include Wood, Winter and Premium Packages (the latter netting a Bose sound system, power passenger seat, driver's seat memory, reclining rear seatback, dual-zone air, HomeLink and auto headlamp/mirror dimming) plus a full-size spare tire, Xenon headlamps, and a stand-alone navigation system.