For luxury sedan buyers who prefer a vehicle with advanced driving dynamics, the 2011 Infiniti G37 has much to offer. And not only does the G37 offer athletic handling and a powerful 3.7-liter V6 engine, but it's also loaded with a host of premium and high-tech features at a comparatively appealing price.
The bottom line? The 2011 G37 sedan is a serious and popular contender in its segment because it offers the most power and the most features for the least dollars.
The Infiniti G37 is powered by a 328-horsepower V6 and happens to share the same platform as the Nissan Z car. The result is a level of acceleration and driving engagement that is unmatched by rivals with a similar cost. And carbuyers who opt for the optional Sport package get still more of the same.
While there are strong competitors in this class, such as the Acura TL, the Audi A4, the Cadillac CTS, the Hyundai Genesis and the Mercedes C-Class, none possess the same kind of compelling athleticism (although some may have an edge when it comes to luxurious ambience).
The pricier BMW 3-Series still remains this segment's top sport sedan, however, the G37's overall package of performance, luxury, roominess and high-tech goodies is hard to beat when it comes to bang for the buck.
Trims, Standard Features And Options:
The 2011 Infiniti G37 sedan is available in three trims: G37 Journey, G37 Sport 6MT and G37 Limited Edition (G37 coupe and convertible models will be reviewed individually).
Update: Weak Economy Leads To Lower G37 Prices:
Car sales have been on the weak side historically for close to the past two years now. And Infiniti has recently been offsetting at least some of the market weakness through strong incentives and easier-to-get discounts. It remains a buyer's market right now, resulting in an excellent opportunity to get the lowest price.
The bottom line? Car dealers will "wheel and deal" bigtime right now if you know how to push their buttons to get the best price. Here's an article on the best negotiating technique to take advantage of the current sluggish car market (definitely read before ever going to a dealership): How To Buy A New G37 At The Best Price
Standard features on the well-equipped G37 Journey include leather upholstery, 8-way power driver and passenger seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise conrol, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry/ignition, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, automatic headlights, foglamps, a rearview camera, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth and a 6-speaker audio system with a CD player, satellite radio and an iPod/USB interface.
In terms of optional features for the Journey, the Premium package adds a sunroof, driver memory settings, rear parking sensors, a power-adjustable steering wheel and a 10-speaker Bose audio system with digital music storage. The Sport Appearance package adds everything in the Premium package plus 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler and a chin spoiler. The Navigation package adds hard-drive-based navigation with voice controls, real-time traffic and weather, and additional digital music storage.
The G37 Sport 6MT model comes with all the Premium and Navigation package features plus a 6-speed manual transmission, a sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, a limited-slip differential, different 18-inch wheels with summer performance tires, sport seats with power driver thigh and torso bolsters, and unique styling accents. All of these items, less the 6-speed manual, can be had on the G37 Journey via the Sport package.
The G37 Limited Edition (only 350 will be produced) is basically a loaded Journey with the Sport package plus red leather upholstery, unique headlights, a blacked-out grille and special design accents.
Incidentally, here's an infographic listing the 12 carmakers who've given the biggest new car price discounts off MSRP (includes Infiniti).
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
Powering the 2011 G37 is a 3.7-liter V6 that pumps out a healthy 328 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission except on the Sport 6MT with its 6-speed manual. Rear-wheel drive is standard on all models while all-wheel drive (G37x) is optional with the automatic transmission. In performance tests, the G37 Journey was timed from a standstill to 60 mph in an extremely quick 5.4 seconds.
The EPA-estimated gas mileage for an automatic G37 with rear-wheel drive is a respectable 19 mpg city and 27 mpg on the highway. The estimate for the G37 Sport 6MT is 17 and 25, respectively, while the G37x comes in at 18 mpg city and 25 highway.
Safety:
Standard safety features on all 2011 G37 sedans include traction and stability control, antilock brakes (ABS), a rearview camera, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In performance tests, the G37 was measured in a stop from 60 mph in an impressive 106 feet.
The 2011 Infiniti G37 had not yet been government crash tested at the time of this writing. However, the 2010 model earned perfect five-star ratings in all categories except for a four-star rating in frontal-impact protection for the front passenger.
Interior:
The 2011 G37's cabin is attractive, user-friendly and solidly constructed. The overall quality of the materials doesn't quite match that of a Mercedes or Audi, but still befits a luxury sedan while costing less. The front seats are comfortable, supportive and well-bolstered, however, larger drivers may find them too tight. The backseat is also quite comfortable for two (there's a narrow center seat for a third passenger) with overall rear space a bit above average for the class.
It should be noted that the standard iPod interface is one of the best available, while the optional Bose stereo is very highly regarded as well.
Drive:
No other car in its class can match the G37's breathtaking acceleration for the price. It's athletic and aggressive handling abilities shine when cornering or attacking those back twisty roads. Yet it also demonstrates luxury-worthy composure and smoothness when faced with road bumps and imperfections. The steering feel is precise and offers ample feedback and responsiveness, all the moreso with the Sport package's quicker steering ratio.
Overall, the Infiniti G37 sedan presents an excellent balance of fun and luxury. While it can be said that it is engineered to emphasize its sporty road manners, it still offers a comfortable and luxurious driving experience for daily use.
Price:
2011 Infiniti G37 Sedan:
G37 Journey: list price: $35,050, invoice price: $32,385
G37x: list price: $36,650, invoice price: $33,859
G37 Sport Appearance Ed.: list price: $39,200, invoice price: $36,207
G37 Sport 6MT: list price: $39,450, invoice price: $36,437
G37x Sport Appearance Ed.: list price: $40,800, invoice price: $37,680
G37 Limited Edition: list price: $43,400, invoice price: $40,076
G37x Limited Edition: list price: $44,000, invoice price: $40,628
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