2005 INFINITI G35 SEDAN NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2005 Infiniti G35 Sedan?
Infiniti updates the successful G35 Sedan for 2005 by restyling the hood and trunk, adding new bumpers front and rear, revising the headlights and taillights, and adding body-colored side sills. Inside, the luxury automakers responds to complaints that the cabin looked and felt cheap by upgrading the materials, adding real aluminum trim, redesigning the instrument panel, and making genuine Rosewood a new option. The upgrades for 2005 are more than cosmetic. G35s with an automatic transmission get a 20-horse power boost to 280, and models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission are pushing 298 horsepower to the wheels. A new Sport-Tuned Suspension package includes tauter underpinnings, larger brake rotors, 18-inch wheels and tires, and a limited-slip differential. The standard in-dash six-disc CD changer now plays MP3s, the steering wheel tilts and telescopes, and Infiniti Intelligent Key allows the driver to unlock and start the G35 without using a key. New colors include Lakeshore Slate and Serengeti Sand.

Advantages of the 2005 Infiniti G35 Sedan:

• Available with choice of automatic or manual transmission
• Intoxicating acceleration
• Comprehensive standard and optional features list
• Generous rear seat space
• Ride quality
• Available all-wheel-drive

Objections to the 2005 Infiniti G35 Sedan:

• Can easily wag its tail during canyon blitzes

Editor's Advice:
The Infiniti G35 is a proper rear-wheel-drive sporting machine that comes very close to decoding the DNA that makes a BMW so desirable. Ultimately, though, the Infiniti G35 can't quite match the driving perfection demonstrated by that unbeatable hobgoblin of German luxury sport sedans, the 3-Series. But the G35 isn't far behind, and makes up for its lack of raw visceral appeal in many ways, including price.