2008 Infiniti G35 Sedan Review

The 2008 Infiniti G35 has the sportscar bite to match its sleek look, according to reviewers from around the Web—including the experts at TheCarConnection.com.

The Infiniti 2008 G35 lineup comes with just one available engine, though that's not necessarily a bad thing considering how well reviewers like the powerplant. Edmunds says that all 2008 Infiniti G35s feature a "3.5-liter V6" that "makes 306 hp and 268 pound-feet of torque." ConsumerGuide reviewers love the engine on the Infiniti G35, writing that the "eager V6 satisfies at any speed" and makes "passing maneuvers a breeze." Cars.com also mentions the "solid six-cylinder power," and Kelley Blue Book says that the "lusty V6 pulls strongly on demand." In terms of performance numbers, Car and Driver clocks an Infiniti G35x as running "to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, about the same as G35 Sports," despite the fact that the G35x weighs "at least 230 pounds more than any G35 Sport," thanks to its all-wheel-drive system.

Speaking of all-wheel drive, the feature is available on the Infiniti G35x, while the other trims are "rear-drive," according to Edmunds. In addition, Edmunds says that "most models will have a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control and downshift rev-matching," while "a six-speed manual transmission is exclusive to the Sport 6MT." Though most enthusiasts prefer manual transmissions on a sportscar, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com indicate that the automatic may be the better choice. J.D. Power admits that they'd "skip the manual and get the automatic" since "the G35's clutch engages high in its travel" and can be tricky to launch the car in first gear. ConsumerGuide also warns "heavy clutch effort hampers smooth city driving." The automatic receives high praise from Cars.com, which notes that it "employs rev matching that automatically gooses the engine speed before the gears mesh, providing exceptionally smooth downshifts and reduced wear."

The sporty 2008 Infiniti G35 even gets decent gas mileage, at least according to EPA estimates. The EPA claims that the G35 with the six-speed manual should get 17 mpg city and 25 mpg on the highway, while the automatic drops the highway number to 24 mpg. The G35x, meanwhile, dips a bit lower, getting 17 mpg city and 23 mpg on the highway. In practice, however, ConsumerGuide reports that their "automatic-transmission" version of G35 "averaged 18.6 mpg," while a "test AWD sedan averaged 19.7 in mostly highway driving."

Fortunately, driving the 2008 Infiniti G35 is so much fun that you'll probably forget that you're not quite close to achieving the EPA estimates. ConsumerGuide says "all G35s are grippy" and "agile, with little lean in corners." Cars.com adds that "the Sport has the best road-holding because of its firmer springs and standard summer performance tires," while "the all-wheel drive keeps the G35x more planted and secure in bad weather." Kelley Blue Book says that, when driven enthusiastically, the Infiniti G35 "satisfies like few competitors can," thanks to "the finely-tuned suspension" and "powerful anti-lock brakes" that "stop with authority."