2008 INFINITI G35 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 2008 Infiniti G35 is a sporty but luxurious premium sedan, backed up by good value and attractive styling.
Nissan's premium brand, Infiniti, has long been an also-ran, as Lexus and Acura tend to dominate the conversation in the Japanese premium-vehicle space. The recently redesigned Infiniti G35 sedan might help Infiniti break free of the others’ shadows, however, because it’s got the performance, standard features, and price to be a real breakout hit.
A major overhaul for the 2007 model year brought a striking new design, an updated engine, and an refreshed interior with upgraded finishes and materials. The G35 targets new-car buyers that want a sporty premium sedan at a reasonable price. It competes with cars from brands such as Audi, Cadillac, BMW, and the aforementioned Acura and Lexus.
The 2008 model is offered in two configurations: A standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model and the all-wheel-drive (AWD) Infiniti G35x. Both models get a 3.5-litre V6 that produces power specs of 306 horsepower. The powertrain delivers to either the rear or all four wheels through a standard five-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is available for cars equipped with the optional Sport package.
An Infiniti G37 Coupe is offered as well, but it has a different engine and is covered separately.
The G35’s 2007-model-year overhaul brought new styling with a cleaner, more muscular look than the car before it. The updates, while significant, were more of an evolution instead of a major step forward. The new design features long lines and dramatic curves that stretch the car’s profile for a dramatic look.
Inside, the 2008 G35 is welcoming and cozy, but not cramped. The cabin is sensibly laid out, and though there are myriad buttons and controls, it’s all set up to be intuitive and easy to use. The centre stack is clean and uncluttered, with a large multi-function knob placed prominently in the middle. Unlike other automakers’ attempts at using “one knob to rule them all,” Infiniti’s execution actually works.
The G35 is every bit a sports car, but it's capable of being a docile, comfortable, and luxurious people carrier as well. A stab of the throttle awakens the 306-hp 3.5-litre V6 and makes a glorious sound as the engine climbs quickly through its wide powerband. Because it's naturally aspirated, the powerplant can deliver power at low rpm, making it feel lively and quick off the line. The five-speed automatic transmission is responsive and cracks off shifts willingly, and the optional six-speed manual gearbox is tight, precise, and easy to use.
The G35's ride is comfortable and predictable. The Infiniti G’s suspension system keeps it planted and minimizes body roll, but even so, the car manages to remain comfortable and smooth over rough pavement. With the manual transmission and the Sport package, a viscous limited-slip differential is added. With the G35x Sport, a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters is equipped.
Though it's absolutely a sports sedan, the G35 is more than capable of handling family and road trip duties. The front seats are comfortable and offer a variety of adjustment options to allow for an excellent driving position. Those seats, combined with a tilt and telescopic steering wheel that offers an equally high level of adjustment, make it hard to be uncomfortable.
Rear seats are nicely padded and have more support than the typical flat bench seats do. The Sport Package’s seats are heavily bolstered and have deep buckets with big-time thigh supports. They function as advertised, holding the driver’s backside firmly in the seat during a spirited drive, but some may find that they’re a bit cramped, especially for larger drivers. All cars, no matter the trim, have rich, soft, leather seats.
Interior space is in line with the rest of the G35’s class. The back-seat legroom is generous, as is headroom, but the car’s sloping roof makes space tight for taller passengers. Trunk space is also competitive, and it features a large opening with a low load-in height, which makes transporting large, heavy items a breeze.
The 2008 Infiniti G35 received mixed results in crash testing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "Acceptable" for small overlap front driver-side crashworthiness, "Good" for moderate-overlap front and side crashworthiness, "Acceptable" for roof strength, and "Marginal" for head restraints and seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the G35 five stars for front driver-side crash protection, four stars for the passenger side, five stars in side crash tests, and five stars for rollover resistance.
Standard safety kit includes electronic stability control, traction control, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), Xenon headlights, front airbags, side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, height-adjustable safety belts, seatbelt pre-tensioners, an occupancy sensor, a panic alarm, a theft-deterrent system, an ignition-disabling system, and a first aid kit.
The 2008 G35’s got a leg up on its German competition in the pricing department. Its MSRP starts at $39,990 for a base RWD Luxury model with a five-speed automatic transmission. Adding AWD with the G35x will cost $43,540, and the G35 Sport with a six-speed manual runs $46,490 while the G35x Sport with an automatic and AWD costs $48,440.
Fuel economy numbers are strong, even with the powerful V6 engine on board. With RWD and an automatic transmission, the base car delivers an estimated fuel economy of 12.1 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 8.2 on the highway. AWD in either trim shifts those numbers to 12.6 L/100 km city and 8.7 highway. Buyers who opt for the range-topping Sport model with RWD and the manual transmission will see fuel consumption of 12.1 L/100 km city, 8.0 highway.
Note: Images show a US model.
