The G35 has the basics down. It has excellent acceleration, a good ride/handling compromise, a roomy interior, and reasonable pricing, a very impressive combination of traits in this group, and one that vaulted it to the top three in this comparison. And if it weren't for a few too many flawed details, it would have been the easy winner here. But flaws are present. Despite recent upgrades, the G35's interior quality remains below the level of most competitors, the front seats are not optimally shaped, and the car is not as quiet as many competitors. But while those flaws can keep it from a first-place finish, the G35 still represents an impressive all-around car with an emphasis on sport over luxury, which should be an excellent choice for consumers with similar priorities.

          The G35 has a comfortable ride, free of ride jitter or float, and able to deal nicely with small road imperfections. Large bumps are pronounced, however. The G35 is agile, and has well-controlled body roll, but still feels like a fairly large car. The steering is responsive, well-weighted, and accurate, but isn't as communicative as some competitors. Acceleration is prompt, second only to the V8 Chrysler 300C in this group. The engine is smooth and refined, but road noise is a constant annoyance. Gas mileage is unimpressive, an expected tradeoff for the G35's level of acceleration.

        Inside, the G35's front seats are nicely-shaped and comfortable enough, but too firm. The cushions are a bit lumpy as well. The rear is roomy and very well-shaped, but it is a bit too firm as well. Included in the Premium Package is a manual recliner for the rear seat, which lets occupants choose their best comfort angle, or as close as the range will get them. The interior has benefited from recent upgrades, but the quality of its materials remains below most competitors. The gauges are very large and clear, but the power seat controls are annoying to use, and the audio controls are too low. Drivers sit comfortably, and the large windows allow for excellent visibility. Large doors, wide footwells, and a nicely-shaped roofline also lead to easy entry/exit. The trunk is fairly roomy, but the seats do not fold on cars equipped with the rear seat recliner.

          The G35 earned a Best Pick rating in its IIHS offset crash test, but it has not been evaluated for its side impact protection. NHTSA has not tested it either.

        The G35 reviewed here came reasonably well- equipped for the money, coming in with most features expected in this class aside from a navigation system. An "intelligent key" system is a unique optional feature included here, and one typically found only on more-expensive vehicles, and the car features a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory as well. The price is still a bit high, though still within the realm of reason.

         Overall, the G35 is a very impressive and well- rounded vehicle. However, its interior quality and refinement prevent it from providing the luxury needed to win this comparison test. Hopefully, those issues will be addressed in an update to the vehicle (a full redesign wouldn't be necessary to fix those annoyances), and at that point the G35 can be declared the top entry-lux. Until then, it remains a very good car, and worth a look from consumers shopping here, and an especially long one from those who value sport over luxury.

Pros:

-Acceleration

-Agility

-Ride Comfort

-Interior Space

Cons:

-Interior Quality

-Fuel Economy

Overall:

A refresh away from 1st place.

Version Reviewed:

NA

Price of Version Reviewed:

$31,998

Powertrain:

3.5-liter V6