G35X: The German slayer from Japan, perfected.

After a few minutes behind the wheel of the 2005 G35X, you can tell that the Infiniti engineers logged plenty of hours at the helm of the German benchmarks in this class. You can also tell that they learned fast. If you're in the market for an all-wheel drive sports sedan in the $30K-$40K range, you're doing yourself an incredible injustice by not test-driving this car.

New and Improved

The 2004 model's major complaints have been corrected. The new dashboard is beautiful (in either brushed aluminum or genuine rosewood trim), and the "low quality" look that some griped about is no more. The steering wheel controls and trademark Infiniti analog clock now illuminate. More juice has been squeezed from the 3.5L V6, bumping the horsepower to 280, and muscling the lb/ft of torque up to 270. In addition, the hood and trunk have been redesigned to closer resemble the G35X's sportier sibling: the G35 coupe.

Behind the Wheel

Driving this car is pure exhilaration, and as close to perfect as any car in its class. Step on the accelerator and there's plenty of power to spare at any speed. The suspension is sporty and firm without being too stiff or jarring. Cornering in the G35X is an absolute joy--this car really holds the road--and accelerating into turns quickly becomes habit. Steering is a little heavy, but the car tracks perfectly and the road feel is magnificent. By this time, you've noticed most of the other cars fading into the distance in your rearview mirror, and you're admiring the symphonic growl of the G35's V6 as you power down the highway. Now try the brakes--and hold on tight. This car has some serious stopping power. Once you get used to what some people call "grabby," you'll love the ability to stop on a dime. I've read that the braking performance rivals even Porsche and Ferrari. Take the G35X off onto some snow covered side streets and the all-wheel drive performs flawlessly, never overbearing or cumbersome. A huge advantage the G35X flaunts over its all-wheel-drive competition is a rear-wheel based system: in ideal conditions, the car will put 100% of the power to the rear wheels, allowing the G35 to handle like a true sports car. A computer constantly monitors the vehicle conditions to transfer power forward and back. However, you can override this system by pressing the "snow" switch to lock in a 50%/50% split between front and rear. No matter what the conditions, the car feels smaller than it is and never loses its personality.

Interior

The soft, perforated leather is gorgeous (graphite hued in mine, which is beautiful) and seating in front and back is very comfortable. An interesting note: the driver and passenger front seats are padded differently, offering more support for the driver during spirited maneuvering. The instrument cluster is well laid out, and the orange illumination on the dash is clear, crisp and easy on the eyes. No more problems with washout in direct sunlight. Ergonomics in the cabin are not quite as good as some rivals, and some of the controls are not very intuitive. For example, instead of separate knobs for the driver and passenger dual climate controls, the system relies on a single knob with a button to switch back and forth, which is placed on the passenger side of the dash. Yet, once the layout is studied and becomes comfortable, the system performs very well, especially when left in "auto" mode, allowing the vehicle's computer to determine the best way to heat or cool the interior. The display for the climate control, exterior temperature, clock and compass sit high in the center of the dash, making them perfectly placed for quick glances while driving. The upgraded Bose audio system (with the optional Premium Package) boasts wonderful high and low end sound, especially when playing CDs from the six-disc changer in the dash. I was very impressed with how quickly it switches albums, and am delighted that it also plays MP3 format discs. The front center armrest houses a rather small storage compartment containing a second power outlet and change holders. The primary power outlet (cigarette lighter) sits next to the ashtray in a push-to-open compartment under the stereo. Thoughtfully placed on the steering wheel are controls for the audio system and the cruise control, which illuminate when the headlights are on. Having owned several vehicles with this feature, the Infiniti's steering wheel layout and functionality is the best I've experienced. Lots of glass around the cabin gives the driver a good view to all sides, including the rear, which is sometimes lacking in similar vehicles. Slip into the back seats and you will find ample legroom, even for tall adults. The outboard rear seats both recline, which is a fantastic feature for road trips. Four wheel anti-lock brakes are standard, as are dual front and side curtain airbags. The overall feel of the cabin is comfortable and luxurious, but no-nonsense. It is not overly plush, and perfectly achieves "form follows function" -- this is a luxury SPORTS sedan.

Exterior

The lines of the G35X are contemporary and clean, but the car manages to retain a classic look, aided by the stacked front headlights. The sheet metal appears taut and lean, but not pretentious or overly muscular. This car draws attention, even though it never begs for it. No gimmicks or fads to be seen here. This is a handsome, expensive looking sedan. The model I am driving is painted Diamond Graphite Metallic, which is a deep gunmetal silver, and I'm constantly receiving compliments on the color. New for 2005 are color matching doorsills, replacing the black on older models. Heated side mirrors are a bonus, as are the standard xenon headlights. The trunk is deceptively large, and it hides a full size spare with matching alloy wheel.

Options & Extras

I opted for the Navigation System and Premium Package, which load a bunch of other wonderful options on the G35. Especially nice are the memory driver seat with power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, the premium Bose stereo, and the intelligent key, which allows you to enter and operate the car without ever removing the key from your pocket. Along with general guidance, the Navigation System also provides a trip computer with fuel consumption information and maintenance reminders.

In a Perfect World...

Now for the drawbacks: The Navigation System in the Honda and Acura vehicles is far superior to this somewhat disappointing pop-up option. It will still get you where you need to go, but it lacks the voice activation and touch screen that are a boon in the Honda products. Also, there is a definite lack of interior storage space, especially with the Navi system's DVD player filling one of the two glove compartments. Though there is a pass-through, the rear seats do not fold down to give access to the trunk (but they do recline, which is a nice feature). In addition, even though I think it has become cliché in the G35 reviews, it would be nice to have improved fuel economy. The Acura TL's 3.2L 270hp V6 consumes 20/29 mpg, and the thirsty 3.5L 280hp V6 in the G35X misses that mark by a long shot. In its defense, the G35X has a bigger engine and is all-wheel drive, a good trade-off for a few miles-per-gallon. Lastly, the front seat backs could use a tad more bolstering to cradle the occupants during hard cornering, but that's me being overly hypercritical.

Conclusion

The advantages and high points of this car will make the few insignificant drawbacks easily forgotten. It is simply an amazing automobile. There is no car that can match it in term of value for your dollar. Look out 330xi and A4--there is a new contender in town. For thousands less than its European counterparts, the Infiniti G35X makes good on its promises, meeting or exceeding the standards set by those perennial favorites. Other vehicles I considered: Volvo S40 & S60, Subaru Legacy, Jaguar X-type, BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class, Audi A4, Acura TL, VW Passat... and after all that, I came back for the Infiniti G35X.