2005 Infiniti G35 Review

Specifications

Best Performer in Class Gets Even Better

When Infiniti introduced the G35 a couple of years ago a group of journalists, including myself, were taken to a Northwest Coast Gulf Island. At first I couldnt have imagined how we were going to stretch the legs of these highly touted new models on a little island, but after spending a day there winding, twisting, dipping, and diving I was sold, on the island and the car.

To me, this side of BMW 5-Series, there is no better handling sedan on the market. And this is from a 6-times BMW owner. Throw in the brands wonderfully flexible high-revving 260 horsepower V6 with 260 lb-ft of torque, and it smoked everything in its class.

To be fair to BMW, the Infiniti was not without fault. Its interior was nicely designed but lacked the refinement of the Bavarian, and its styling spoke deeply to some but simply wasnt for everyone - not necessarily a bad thing.

Well, since the G35 surfaced BMW has become the controversial one with regards to exterior design and Infiniti has made improvements in interior execution. Fortunately for conservative BMW fans, of which I am not one, the BMW 3-Series has somehow managed to stay clear of Bangle, Hooydonk and companys scalpel. Still, an updated version is expected fairly soon, albeit more conservatively penned than BMWs 5- and 7-Series. Even so, there will be many disgruntled BMW fans that will be looking for an alternative to their favorite “Bahn-stormer,” and Infiniti, the natural alternative, will be willing and waiting with a much improved G35.

Earlier this year Infiniti announced upgrades to its popular G35 sedan to reporters for the first time. As expected, the Japanese luxury brand plans to enhance the only aspect of its compact models to receive regular criticism, interior tactile quality. Along with the upgraded materials the brand will update the overall design of the instrument cluster, center stack and lower console.

The most noticeable change is the redesigned clock and ancillary digital readout atop the dash, a much cleaner and more efficient package. Infinitis classic analog clock is still oval-shaped, offering that special touch now expected in the brands luxury cars.

Just below the clock is a revised center stack, still featuring some similar shapes but changed enough to give it an entirely new look. Its surfaced in authentic aluminum, and integrates a new audio interface, and a redesigned ashtray with a repositioned rectangular hazard button (the current one is circular) beside the new automatic transmission surround. Like the hazard button, the shifter surround goes from round to rectangular - no photo of the 6-speed manual equipped G35 was available for comment.

Also, optional drilled aluminum foot pedals with circular rubber pads can be ordered to replace the full-rubber pads of the current car, plus primary instruments have been given a subtle restyle. Other than that and those things just mentioned the general layout of the dash and instrument cluster looks much the same, with the exception of a thin horizontal strip of aluminum that splits the upper and lower dash as it spans the width of the vehicle.

Exciting news for enthusiasts will be the power increase under the hood. The revised sedan rises to the challenge set by
competitors from Acura and others, by upping horsepower in its 3.5-liter V6 to 277 from 260, while torque has been improved to 270 lb-ft, also from 260. The G35 is rear-wheel drive, but the all-wheel drive G35x will continue to be available with the upgraded powertrain.

Infiniti also reports that the shifting mechanism within its 6-speed manual has been improved “to provide a lower shifting effort.”

Immediately noticeable to G35 fans will be a few subtle modifications for 2005, including a new hood, revised grille, and reworked bumpers, side sills, taillights and wheels.

The sedans alloy wheels are its most dramatic departure, now featuring a 10-spoke design grouped in a 5-spoke pattern, rather than the conventional 5-spoke wheels of the current car. The new look keeps the car sporty, but simultaneously gives it a classier appearance.

Changes to the front fascia are also thorough, with the new bisected air intakes offering a cleaner, more aggressive style compared to the lateral strakes of the outgoing G35 sedan. The hood features a new center spine running from grille to windshield instead of the 2004 models twin parallel ridges, but modifications to the grille are harder to distinguish. Unfortunately no photo of the rear of the car was made available so changes to the taillights cannot be commented on.

When will the changes go into affect? Starting in October, 2004, model year 2005 automatic transmission-equipped Infiniti G35 sedans will go on sale across the nation, with a 6-speed manual version becoming available later in December.

Another thing Infiniti has going for it is strong J. D. Power and Associates initial quality and dependability scores. Regarding the first, Nissans luxury division placed 8th out of 37 automakers in the 2004 Initial Quality Study (IQS), with problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) improving from 110 last year to 104 now. While BMW was the highest scoring German brand, it dropped from its previous 8th position to 12th, but would actually be rated 11th if it wasnt for the fact that it tied at 109 problems per 100 vehicles (from 118 PP100) with Audi. It should be said, however, that while Infiniti beat out these two Germans its 2003 score of 7th was displaced by Jaguar this year. Lexus was once again first overall. The fact is, each of the nameplates mentioned placed well above the industry average, and should all be considered high quality.

In J. D. Powers Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) the brand also fared extremely well compared to all of its German competitors and just about every other nameplate as well. Behind Lexus again, Infiniti managed to maintain its 2003 PP100 ranking of 174 despite falling in placement from 2nd to 3rd, now behind Buick. Perhaps it was the introduction of the brands upgraded “t” models in the 2001 model year (J.D. Powers VDS surveys three year old cars) that caused reliability to drop, but nevertheless Infiniti has fallen to 3rd place with a 189 PP100 while Buick has surged forward from 3rd to 2nd with a 187 PP100 rating, despite losing 8 positions from its 2003 179 PP100 ranking. Once again, Infiniti is rated as one of the most reliable brands available.

And what about customer satisfaction of dealer service departments? After sale care is a real life issue that can make or break an ownership experience, and once again Infiniti is near the top. Only seven nameplates of 37 achieved a score of 900 points or higher, with the highest score possible being 1,000. Previously, a score over 900 was only achieved by Lexus and General Motors Saturn division. Behind number one placed Lincolns 912 point score, this years winners include Buick at 909, Infiniti at 908, Cadillac with 904, Lexus at 902, Saturn at 901, and Hondas Acura division at 900. Third place in dealer service customer satisfaction is not bad at all, dont you think?

Yes, Infiniti now combines initial quality, dependability and customer satisfaction with a new entry luxury model that is arguably best in class. Im a giant fan of this car, and cant recommend it enough to those in the market for a low- to mid-30s sport sedan.