Road Test
Follow-Up Test: 2004 Infiniti G35x
X Marks the G
When the Infiniti G35 hit the market nearly two years ago, its spirited performance and sexy good looks were received with welcoming arms. And now to keep the G35 momentum alive, a new option has been added to the sedan version's feature list. Making use of technology that was previously introduced on the 2003 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 crossover SUVs, Infiniti is adding an all-wheel-drive system to the G35 sedan's options list.
Designated by the letter "x," Infiniti says its ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) system was designed to increase fuel economy, and provide better traction and maneuverability on wet roads — without sacrificing the spirited nature of a rear-wheel-drive sedan on dry roads. The new G35x uses this electronically controlled system to automatically transfer optimum torque to the wheels, according to road and driving conditions. It provides torque distribution to the front and rear wheels from a 0-to-100 ratio in ideal conditions, up to fifty-fifty in inclement weather. While we wholeheartedly appreciate the G35x's performance during rear-wheel-drive conditions, we're less able to report on the G35x's driving characteristics on wet roads, as we were plagued with nothing but sunshine during our test week. We're also unsure as to the fuel economy outlook with the all-wheel-drive system, as our test vehicle averaged only 15.4 miles per gallon while in our care, and EPA estimates 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, ratings which are right in line with all-wheel-drive competitors, Audi A4 and Volvo S60. For comparison, a rear-drive G35 is rated 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway.
The all-wheel-drive system is also reputed to provide superior starting traction performance and smooth, stable acceleration, especially in snow-covered or dirt-road situations with the driver-selectable Snow-Mode switch. This mode sets the torque distribution ratio at fifty-fifty to reduce throttle sensitivity at low speeds. Unfortunately, here in warm Southern California we did not have the opportunity to seriously test the G35's snow mode, except on the accidental occasion when a driver or passenger inadvertently flipped the switch on the lower part of the G's center stack.
The same 3.5-liter V6 with 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque comes standard on every G35 sedan, and the G35x model is no exception. The smooth, powerful V6 is available only with a five-speed automatic transmission on the x model. While we loved the quick power of the torquey 3.5-liter engine, the transmission often felt a bit busy, as it seemed to run through the lower gears quickly, even at low rpm. But it does offer an automanual mode, and we appreciated the ability to select our own gears when we saw fit.
Climbing inside the G35x's cockpit, there was no doubt that Infiniti has gone the extra mile to remind drivers what they're driving. The Infiniti name or logo appeared not once but seven times inside the cabin, from the seat back embroidery, to the logoed floor mats, to the hump between the rear footwells, to the silver Infiniti door sills decorating the entrance for both driver and front passenger.
All G35xs receive a standard leather interior, and the black leather in our test car was both attractive and soft. The wide center armrest combined with an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat helped us get comfortable immediately. It did take us an extra second to locate the seat adjusters since they're not where you would expect, but along the driver's right leg instead of his left one.
Once inside, however, we were forced to report the same observation we've made on countless Nissan and occasional Infiniti products: The inferior materials tend to cheapen the good-looking design. Although the G35 is trimmed with handsome metallic accents, unlike the A4 and S60, which use more sedate-looking wood trim, they are clearly plastic to the touch. The plastic on the center console and center stack really stands out as substandard when compared with the quality leather seating surfaces.
Our test car did not have the optional navigation system, but it did come equipped with the upgraded 222-watt Bose audio system with both a cassette player and an in-dash six-disc CD changer, seven speakers and steering wheel audio controls. The steering wheel controls were much appreciated, especially since the silver audio buttons on the head unit itself were hard to read in most light conditions.
The climate control system was simple to use with large buttons and easy-to-read controls, but the LED display screen looked cheap with its bright orange lighting. Heated seats are standard G35 equipment, and we found the seat heat switch immediately.
Other cabin conveniences include the two covered cupholders in front of the gearshifter (but we'd like to see a touch-release lid instead of the cheap-feeling push-button release lid), a shallow center console, small door bins, two gloveboxes, a sunglass holder and two slots labeled "card holders" which could not hold the author's standard-size garage access card.
All in all, though, our complaints regarding the G35x are largely isolated to the interior, and not the driving experience. We found the G35x every bit as pleasant as the standard rear-wheel-drive version. The AWD x model commands an $1,800 premium over the standard G35 sedan and we feel the added safety is worth the cost for buyers in colder climates seeking a rewarding combination of a practical people mover and a fun-to-drive sport sedan.
Designated by the letter "x," Infiniti says its ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) system was designed to increase fuel economy, and provide better traction and maneuverability on wet roads — without sacrificing the spirited nature of a rear-wheel-drive sedan on dry roads. The new G35x uses this electronically controlled system to automatically transfer optimum torque to the wheels, according to road and driving conditions. It provides torque distribution to the front and rear wheels from a 0-to-100 ratio in ideal conditions, up to fifty-fifty in inclement weather. While we wholeheartedly appreciate the G35x's performance during rear-wheel-drive conditions, we're less able to report on the G35x's driving characteristics on wet roads, as we were plagued with nothing but sunshine during our test week. We're also unsure as to the fuel economy outlook with the all-wheel-drive system, as our test vehicle averaged only 15.4 miles per gallon while in our care, and EPA estimates 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, ratings which are right in line with all-wheel-drive competitors, Audi A4 and Volvo S60. For comparison, a rear-drive G35 is rated 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway.
The all-wheel-drive system is also reputed to provide superior starting traction performance and smooth, stable acceleration, especially in snow-covered or dirt-road situations with the driver-selectable Snow-Mode switch. This mode sets the torque distribution ratio at fifty-fifty to reduce throttle sensitivity at low speeds. Unfortunately, here in warm Southern California we did not have the opportunity to seriously test the G35's snow mode, except on the accidental occasion when a driver or passenger inadvertently flipped the switch on the lower part of the G's center stack.
The same 3.5-liter V6 with 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque comes standard on every G35 sedan, and the G35x model is no exception. The smooth, powerful V6 is available only with a five-speed automatic transmission on the x model. While we loved the quick power of the torquey 3.5-liter engine, the transmission often felt a bit busy, as it seemed to run through the lower gears quickly, even at low rpm. But it does offer an automanual mode, and we appreciated the ability to select our own gears when we saw fit.
Climbing inside the G35x's cockpit, there was no doubt that Infiniti has gone the extra mile to remind drivers what they're driving. The Infiniti name or logo appeared not once but seven times inside the cabin, from the seat back embroidery, to the logoed floor mats, to the hump between the rear footwells, to the silver Infiniti door sills decorating the entrance for both driver and front passenger.
All G35xs receive a standard leather interior, and the black leather in our test car was both attractive and soft. The wide center armrest combined with an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat helped us get comfortable immediately. It did take us an extra second to locate the seat adjusters since they're not where you would expect, but along the driver's right leg instead of his left one.
Once inside, however, we were forced to report the same observation we've made on countless Nissan and occasional Infiniti products: The inferior materials tend to cheapen the good-looking design. Although the G35 is trimmed with handsome metallic accents, unlike the A4 and S60, which use more sedate-looking wood trim, they are clearly plastic to the touch. The plastic on the center console and center stack really stands out as substandard when compared with the quality leather seating surfaces.
Our test car did not have the optional navigation system, but it did come equipped with the upgraded 222-watt Bose audio system with both a cassette player and an in-dash six-disc CD changer, seven speakers and steering wheel audio controls. The steering wheel controls were much appreciated, especially since the silver audio buttons on the head unit itself were hard to read in most light conditions.
The climate control system was simple to use with large buttons and easy-to-read controls, but the LED display screen looked cheap with its bright orange lighting. Heated seats are standard G35 equipment, and we found the seat heat switch immediately.
Other cabin conveniences include the two covered cupholders in front of the gearshifter (but we'd like to see a touch-release lid instead of the cheap-feeling push-button release lid), a shallow center console, small door bins, two gloveboxes, a sunglass holder and two slots labeled "card holders" which could not hold the author's standard-size garage access card.
All in all, though, our complaints regarding the G35x are largely isolated to the interior, and not the driving experience. We found the G35x every bit as pleasant as the standard rear-wheel-drive version. The AWD x model commands an $1,800 premium over the standard G35 sedan and we feel the added safety is worth the cost for buyers in colder climates seeking a rewarding combination of a practical people mover and a fun-to-drive sport sedan.
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