2008 Infiniti G35 Sedan - Quality Review

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The 2008 Infiniti G35 features a cabin that is much improved in quality over its predecessor, but some comfort issues do still arise.

The Infiniti G35 sedan ostensibly offers seating for five, though the reality is that only four adults can fit comfortably inside. Up front, ConsumerGuide says that there is "good room" overall, though "tallest drivers may desire more head and leg room." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com also rave about the front seats, which J.D. Power reports "include manual thigh-extenders, just like the BMW 3 Series." Edmunds notes that "a fairly long wheelbase of 112.2 inches makes for a spacious cabin for passengers whether they're up front or in back," though some other reviewers feel that rear seat room is somewhat cramped. Kelley Blue Book in particular points out that "rear passengers will find the G35 sedan's rear bench seat belted for three but contoured for two average-sized adults at best."

The 2008 Infiniti G35 also benefits from a spacious trunk, though a few omissions limit overall cargo space. ConsumerGuide reports that the "sedan's trunk is large for the class" and the "lid hinges don't intrude," but the narrow trunk opening "won't swallow larger objects," and there are "no folding seatbacks." J.D. Power also laments the lack of folding rear seats, observing that a "folding rear seat would have been very nice" on their Infiniti G35. While the rear storage receives mixed notices, cabin storage is written off as a low point in some reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. "On manual-transmission cars," Edmunds finds that "the design of the cupholders and interior storage is lacking in terms of functionality." ConsumerGuide likewise calls "interior small-item storage space just fair."

Another aspect of the interior fares much better among reviewers: the revised materials used. ConsumerGuide writes that "cabin assembly quality" and "most interior materials" are "on target for the class." Edmunds also raves about the "excellent build quality" and new "'Japanese Washi-paper finish' aluminum trim." Cars.com, in addition, loves the trim, saying, "Infiniti wisely gave up on the fake stuff and went with real, textured-aluminum trim," while also adding that the 2008 Infiniti G35 features "higher-quality materials than the original generation." However, some reviewers can't help but compare the Infiniti 2008 G35 with the BMW 3 Series, which is the Infiniti's target. In that comparison, J.D. Power says that "the leather covering the seats and steering wheel just isn't as rich as what BMW uses in the 3 Series," chalking it up to "the cost savings talking."

Unfortunately, the 2008 Infiniti G35 isn't as quiet on the road as the 3 Series either. ConsumerGuide is quick to point out that "road noise" is "evident on coarse surfaces, especially with available 18- and 19-inch tires." ConsumerGuide adds that the Infiniti G35 doesn't match the BMW 3 Series "for quietness or refinement."