Warren Henry Automotive Group

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Walk Around

All Infiniti G37s share essentially the same chassis, and all variants have evolved with a similar, second-generation appearance. The Sedan was redesigned for 2007, and the Coupe for 2008. Infiniti calls the new look seductive, although we think the word best applies to the sleek sedan. The second-generation designs are certainly swoopier than previous Infiniti Gs, but also bulkier around the shoulders and hips. From the side or three-quarter view, the G37s and especially the Coupe show a family resemblance to their close corporate sibling, the Nissan 370Z sports car.

There are subtle enhancements to all G37 models for 2009, starting with Infiniti's Scratch Shield paint: A clear-coat that protects against scratches. The sedan gets smaller, more aerodynamic outside mirrors introduced on the Coupe in 2008. Nonetheless, the biggest addition from a styling perspective is the new-for-'09 G37 Convertible.

The Convertible features a unique design from the windshield pillars rearward. It's slightly wider than the other models, with a modified rear suspension that allows for the top's power mechanism and stowage space behind the rear seat. The Convertible has more heavily reinforced windshield pillars, side members and body sills, which help reduce body flex and vibration when motoring with the top down.

When its three-piece steel top is closed, the Convertible it looks much like the G37 Coupe. Its heavily insulated headliner works almost as well as the coupe's fixed roof in keeping ambient noise out side the car. The automatic top's opening or closing sequence takes approximately 30 seconds from start to finish, initiated with the touch of a button on the center console. Like the other body styles, the Convertible has a special, more aggressive looking grille and front end when it's equipped with the Sport 6MT package.

In general, the evolved G37s have a striking look. The front wheel cutouts are larger than those on earlier models, leaving less metal for the fenders and making them appear to rise even more. The headlights have integrated fog lamps, yet they're smaller and sexier. Infiniti calls the aluminum hood (pinned with two latches) a wave hood, although the sea looks pretty flat between the bulging shoreline of the fenders.

All of the G37's factory wheel designs are handsome. The standard wheel are split five-spokes, in polished titanium, and the beautiful 10-spoke 19-inch wheels fully complement the car's looks.

Interior

2009 Infiniti G37

One of the biggest improvements since the first Infiniti G models is inside. The overall quality of the passenger cabins has increased, and they're much better suited to the luxury class than they once were.

The G37 interior is lively and friendly without being fussy or overly busy. There's luxury aplenty, but tempered by a focus on function, and on connecting the driver to the car while at the same time providing passengers a pleasant and comfortable environment. The materials, fit and finish are much better than they once were, though we're still not enamored with the graining on some of the harder plastics. There's a vent in each A pillar to keep the side windows clear. Lots of rear glass makes for good rearward visibility, even without the optional back-up camera.

The dashboard and center console design is the same in all G37 body styles, with slight variation in the front door-panel designs. The dash applies Infiniti's double wave theme, trimmed in standard spun aluminum inspired by handmade Japanese Washi paper. It's elegant, and one of the most aesthetically pleasing metal trims anywhere. The optional African rosewood is unique and classy, while the aluminum is sporty. Infiniti's signature analog clock sits front and center in the center stack of controls.

The perforated leather seats are comfortable, and the standard eight-way driver's seat has air-adjustable lumbar support. The Sport Package, standard on the 6MT models, adds 14-way sport-styled seats with thigh extensions and power adjustable torso and thigh bolsters for the driver, with sporty steering-wheel stitching and aluminum pedals.

The three-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in hand-stitched perforated leather, with audio and cruise control buttons on its spokes. Optional paddle shifters for the automatic transmission are magnesium, and you can actually reach them with your fingers when your hands are placed at 10 and 2 o'clock on the steering wheel. That isn't the case with many cars, and we like the shift sequence, too. You pull back on the right paddle for upshifts, and on the left for downshifts.

The G37's gauges feature electroluminescent lighting: The needles glow red on a white-and-violet background. An easy-to-read information display shows useful trip functions like immediate or average fuel mileage, average speed, elapsed time, running distance and distance to empty, as well as outside air temperature, odometer, and warning displays.

The center stack falls from an LED screen that displays climate and audio data or navigation information. Audio and climate controls are conveniently located out in the open below the information screen, with our preferred layout of audio on top and climate below. The G37 Convertible comes standard with an adaptive climate control system that automatically adjusts airflow and fan speed based on top position and road speed.

The navigation system is controlled by a mouse-like knob below the screen, or by voice commands. The map offers a bird's-eye view, which gives a perception of distance by incorporating a horizon and, depending on the available mapping data, three-dimensional building footprints for the local surroundings. It's neat to look at, though many testers prefer the regular overhead view because it always keeps North up. The XM Satellite Radio system provides real-time traffic updates on the screen, where available.

The base sound system is competitive with that in any luxury sedan. The convertible comes with a standard feature that adjust sound levels for ambient noise when the top is down.

The upgrade Bose Studio On Wheels audio system delivers a sound that's richer, fuller, more intricate and crisper than any system we can recall in cars costing thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars more than the G37. We stepped directly from a G into a $100,000-plus European sports coupe with that marque's top-level sound system and could not distinguish a difference between the two. When it's equipped with the navigation system, the G37 adds a 9.3 gigabyte hard drive that will copy about 90 CDs in short order. You'll never have to carry CDs in this car, and the audio directory can access music by artist or type.

The front door pockets are small in all G37 models, half-taken by armrests, although each includes a hollow for a water bottle. There are also two big cupholders behind the shift lever. Further back, under the driver's elbow, the size of the compartment in the center console is reasonable, and there's another cupholder here.

Cubby storage includes a respectably sized glove box. The back side of each front seatback has a magazine pouch. Two cup holders pop out of the fold-down, rear seat center armrest, which also has a unique compartment masked by a Velcro-type flap on the right side.

Interior roominess is competitive for the class. The G37 Sedan's wide rear door openings leave room aplenty for legs, knees and feet when getting in and out of the back seat.

The Coupe is slightly different story. It doesn't offer much knee room in the rear seats, and the legroom stat of 29.8 inches is the lowest we've seen in a long time. The driveshaft hump runs high between the two rear seats, and there's a wide crack between the seatback and seat bottom that might be uncomfortable over the miles. Overall, the rear seat sends heavy reminders that this is a coupe, not a sedan. You might even think of it as a four-seat Nissan 370Z.

Rear seat space in the G37 Convertible is just as tight. Access in both Coupe and Convertible is at least eased by a power walk-in device with position memory. In both, the front seats move forward automatically at the touch of a button to allow passengers into the rear. The Convertible offers a rear wind deflector that helps reduce turbulence when the top is down.

With 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space, the G37 Sedan slightly surpasses competitors like the Lexus IS and BMW 3 Series in cargo volume. On the other hand, it falls well short of class leaders like the Audi A4 (17 cubic feet). The G37 Convertible, too, offers competitive trunk space, with 10.33 cubic feet. Of course, that space drops dramatically when the top is lowered under the rear deck, leaving only 1.99 cubic feet for bags or other stuff.

When it comes to trunk space, the Coupe fares worst of all, lagging just about all competitors with 7.4 cubic feet. A folding rear seat back improves things by allowing larger items to flow from the trunk into the passenger cabin, and it explains that notable crack between the back and bottom cushion when the rear seatback is upright.

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