Road Test: 2009 Infiniti G37
It’s always a delight when you climb behind the wheel of a car and find that its performance and comfort is much greater than you had expected. That’s just how I feel about the 2009 Infiniti G37 sedan. Certainly the car’s sleek, powerful lines are enticing. But pretty faces are a dime a dozen in the car biz. What’s important is the car’s heart – in auto speak that’s the engine, brakes, and overall performance. The Infiniti G37 is not only an excellent performer and has dozens of comfortable extras, but includes plenty of raw power.
2009 Infiniti G37 Exterior
This is a sedan that hasn’t got a boxy shape on its body. The G37 is all about muscular, confident styling, sleek cat headlamps, and more long smooth swirls than the icing on a wedding cake.
The G37 is available in both a sports sedan and sport coupe. Watch for a convertible this spring. I test drove the sedan, which had bones something akin to a powerful tennis player – bold, muscular but never flabby. There’s the masculine grille and front fog lamps that give the front a distinctive, yet sophisticated look. The rear lamps, reminiscent of the distinctive Toyota Celica circa 1985, (optional) spoiler and smooth bumpers add just enough subtle style without looking gaudy. The 17-inch alloy wheels complete the picture.
One odd downside is the doors. I couldn’t tell if it was just the sheer weight or the way they are hinged but they’re tough to hold open on any type of slight incline or hill. That’s a minor quibble but a consideration for those who want to smoothly exit without pushing, propping and fighting.
Further spiffing up the G37 is an array of options and packages that are sure to add whatever extra oomph the buyer wants. Colors that include Garnet Ember and Moonlight White are luscious and with Scratch Shield paint, they’ll likely stay that way.
2009 Infiniti G37 Interior
The Infiniti G37 may be labeled “entry-level” but it boasts more high-tech, luxury frills than cars that cost tens of thousands more.
Sliding into the cockpit of the G37 is like spending time with an old friend. The cockpit has all the bells-and-whistles you’d want in a luxury car – a first-class navigation system, dual-zone climate control, and an easy-to-understand high-end audio system that includes 9.3GB of hard-drive storage for music plus an MP3 slot.
What I liked about the interior is that it’s plenty comfortable without seeming too ostentatious with leather, leather, everywhere. In a way, all the high-end materials jammed into many cockpits make me feel uncomfortable, almost like sitting in a formal tearoom in a Georgetown mansion. The G37 is more akin to visiting a tastefully decorated Frank Lloyd Wright home. Call it an understated elegance.
One gripe I have in many entry-level luxury sport sedans is that they are so clearly built for drivers rather than passenger. That’s great if you’re behind the wheel but anywhere else is a knee-bumping, head banging experience. Not so with the G37 which offers a decent back seat with headroom for adults. The front seats are firm, supportive and roomy with eight-way power positions.
2009 Infiniti G37 Performance
Don’t take my word for this car’s power. Infiniti reports the G37 zooms from Zero to 60 in 5.0 seconds. Enough said for straight-line performance. But, there really is a lot more to the story. Driving this car is just plain fun and its 18-mpg city, 25-mpg highway numbers ensure you don’t go broke at the pump. As the Infiniti figures underscores, acceleration is fast and smooth thanks to the 328-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift technology. Some may gripe that the car’s manual shifting is needed because the new seven-speed automatic transmission with Drive Sport mode and Adaptive Shift Control aren’t as quick as they’d prefer. I certainly don’t agree.
Fortunately, the sedan I test drove features Infiniti's all-wheel drive system with snow mode. In an odd turn of events, the last day I had the car a freak snowstorm hit this area. While other cars in my subdivision were stuck on ice or struggling through snow, the Infiniti pulled right through the nasty stuff with no hesitation, slipping or burning rubber. What a nice surprise.
I can’t stop raving about this car’s ultra-responsive steering, smooth, steady ride, and stop-on-a-dime braking. It’s one of those cars you can drive through all sorts of conditions – as evidenced by my snow day story – and its effortless and exhilarating. Think of it as a dance with a master partner who does all of the leading while you glide along.
That’s a lot to value for a car that has a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $33,250.