Likewise, the coupe is supremely stable and offers great handling. It's precise, like a BMW, firm, but has a nice ride. It feels like a high-performance sports car, not a sports-luxury car. It jiggles on some highway undulations. Overall, it's a great balance. You feel more connected to the road in the G35 than you do in, say, a Corvette. It can be driven precisely at high speeds. It's very stable, perhaps more so than the Z.
A less restrictive exhaust, among other changes, allow the G35 coupe to squeeze 20 more horsepower and 10 more pounds-feet of torque from the same basic engine. We're not sure it sounds as good as the sedan, though. The coupe's engine meets LEV2 emissions standards.
The five-speed automatic transmission in both cars is super-smooth in normal use and quite responsive when pressed. It offers a manual mode, which can be activated by pushing the shift lever to the right, then back to downshift or forward to upshift. Some drivers find pushing the lever to the outside awkward, but I didn't feel it was an issue. If you select third gear, for example, the transmission will still automatically shift down to second when needed, but will not shift up past third; it will hit the rev limiter instead. This manual mode reduces the tendency for the transmission to uphshift unnecessarily on winding, mountainous roads. It won't shift up when you lift off the gas to brake for the next corner, providing some engine braking and making your mountain assault more enjoyable. Still, the transmission is so responsive in the regular automatic mode, we tended to put it in Drive and leave it there.
The G35's active safety features include antilock brakes (ABS) for maintaining steering control in an emergency stopping situation, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) for shorter stopping distances, an electronic stability program (VDC) to keep you on the road, and Brake Assist to maintain full braking force in an emergency stopping situation even if you accidentally relax brake pedal pressure.
The Infiniti G35 sedan is a compelling choice for drivers who want the performance and handling of a true sports sedan. It's one of the quickest, best handling cars in its class. It's also comfortable and practical, with a roomy back seat, a big trunk, and the trappings of a luxury sedan. Drivers who want a genuine sports sedan under $30,000 should take a look at the G35.
The G35X offers the traction and stability of all-wheel drive, a great choice in the Snow Belt, and a good alternative to an Audi A4 quattro.
The Infiniti G35 coupe is a terrific sports car. In fact, it might be too much car for someone who just wants a stylish, luxurious coupe, like the Toyota Solara or Honda Accord Coupe. The G35 coupe is better for someone who wants a real sports car with racecar-sharp response, someone who thinks it'd be neat to take it out on a track, even if he or she never actually does that. Yet the G35 coupe is more luxurious, roomier and more practical than the Nissan 350Z, with the big advantage of back seats.
