It's really not a big surprise that the 2009 Infiniti G37 was Consumer Reports' "Best Upscale Sedan" winner in their "Top Car Picks For 2009" selections. It's a car that has earned well-deserved praise for its athletic handling, powerful V6 engine, strong brakes, user-friendly features, and value for the dollar.
The G37 sedan is also new to the lineup. It was formerly the Infiniti G35 sedan, but is now equipped with the same 3.7-liter V6 engine used in last year's G37 coupe.
Also new for 2009 are an all-wheel-drive version, the G37x, a new convertible model coming later in the year, a seven-speed automatic transmission that improves both performance and fuel efficiency, and self-healing clearcoat paint.
The 2009 G37 is an entry-level luxury sport coupe and sedan available in four trim levels: Base, Journey, G37x and Sport 6MT.
The long list of standard features on the Base G37 includes leather upholstery, power front seats, 17 inch alloy wheels (18 inch on the coupe), keyless ignition and entry, xenon headlights, automatic climate control, full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and a 6-speaker sound system with a CD/MP3 player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.
The G37 Journey adds dual-zone climate control, a 6-disc CD changer, additional passenger-seat power adjustments, and automatic headlights.
The G37 Sport 6MT gets a 6-speed manual transmission and additional performance features. It's equipped with high-performance tires on 18 inch wheels (19" on the coupe), a sport-tuned suspension, a limited-slip rear differential, upgraded brakes, seats with added thigh and torso support, and sportier exterior and interior treatments.
The Infiniti G37x adds enhanced performance handling with all-wheel-drive, and also adds both heated front seats and exterior mirrors. It employs the ATESSA E-TS rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, which sends 100% of the torque to the rear wheels until slip is sensed. Then up to 50% is shifted forward.
Powering all 2009 G37s is a powerful 3.7 liter V6 that delivers 328 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This engine is matched with a seven-speed automatic transmission (with manual paddle-shift control and rev-matched downshifts) in the Base, Journey and G37x models. As the name implies, the Sport 6MT comes with a 6-speed manual transmission.
In addition, all G37s are rear-wheel drive except for the new, all-wheel drive G37x.
EPA estimated gas mileage for an automatic G37 is 18 mpg city and 26 mpg on the highway. The Sport 6MT get 1 mpg less on both counts, and the all-wheel drive G37x comes in at 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
Standard safety features on all 2009 G37s include traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front seat active head restraints.
In government crash tests, the G37 sedan was awarded five stars (out of five) for frontal impact protection for the driver and four for the front passenger. For side impact protection, the G37 received five stars for all occupants.
Update: Sluggish Economy Leads To Lower G37 Prices:
Infiniti's sales have been weak for months now, evidence of a continuing poor economy and an especially weak car buying trend. There was a small bounce during the "Cash For Clunkers" program, but the market quickly returned to its previous poor condition.
And once again, the combination of fierce competition and a soft market has created an ideal opportunity for nailing down great deals.
How To Buy A New G37 At The Best Price: Before listing MSRP and invoice prices for the 2009 Infiniti G37, here's the best new car buying technique for getting the lowest price, especially given the current slow car market.