2005 Infiniti G35 Test Drive

Infiniti's Answer to the Hallowed BMW 3-Series

A G35 is about to blow your BMW's doors off. Read this to find out why.

It has more passenger volume than a $51,000 BMW 540i.

It scoots to 60 mph faster than a Lexus IS 300 manual even though it doesn't have a manual transmission.

It's also bigger inside than the BMW 5 series, the capacious Lexus ES 300 we reviewed last week and even the new Cadillac CTS. And with leather, it sells for less than $30K. Did we mention that's also at least $2K less than the base price of the Saab 9-3 Viggen, Audi A4 3.0, Mercedes-Benz C320, BMW 330i, Cadillac CTS, Jaguar X-Type 3.0, Lexus IS 300 and the Lincoln LS?

What is this wonder car?

A $28,950 Infiniti G35, part of the leading edge of a product assault by Nissan and Infiniti designed to forever change America's impression of these recently moribund brands. And along with the new Altima and the forthcoming Nissan 350Z, we think the G35 ought to really get buyers' attention. It's not only a steal, its an exceptionally well put together sports sedan that is both very smooth, like the creamier Lexuses, but also great at high-speed cornering, like the best BMWs and Audis.

It's also got its own look that, if not as altogether pretty as the C320 Mercedes or the 330i BMW, is certainly not as unusual as the Cadillac CTS or the Lexus ES 300 -- nor is it as plainly bad boy as the IS 300.

Does it have shortcomings? Sure. For one, it isn't offered with a five- or six-speed manual. Nissan and Infiniti are saving those (they can only make so many so fast) for the aforementioned 350Z and a sport coupe version of this car, both debuting a little later this year -- so the sedan G35 won't get one until early 2003.

And it's neither as small nor as light as some cars in this class which, if you're not in fact looking for a roomy luxury sedan, might be a turnoff because no amount of ingenious suspension engineering can make a car with a bigger wheelbase and more weight corner as sharply as a lighter, smaller one.

But if in fact you want nearly all the responsiveness of a 3-series BMW, all the spaciousness of an E-Class Mercedes, much of the meditation-room quiet of the ES 300 -- and all of this for less dough -- boy, you'd better take a closer look at the G35.