2004 Infiniti G35 Review

Some automakers are giving conventional cars a popular sport-utility-vehicle spin by offering them with an all-wheel-drive system for better traction and added safety -- and for a sporty flair. Subaru successfully pioneered that concept in the 1990s, and upscale automakers are following suit.

One of the latest such cars to get such a spin is the rear-drive Infiniti G35X AWD Leather sedan from Nissan's luxury Infiniti division. That division unabashedly calls the car's system "arguably one of the world's most advanced on-pavement all-wheel-drive systems.''

Infiniti is out to take away as much of the growing all-wheel-drive sedan market as it can from rivals Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

One thing's for sure -- the Infiniti system has one of the world's longest names: ATTESA E-TS, or Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split.

The system is similar to the one in Infiniti's racy FX luxury sport-utility vehicle. It's designed for smooth starts, better fuel economy (which still is mediocre) and improved traction and maneuverability on snowy roads, compared with conventional all-wheel-drive systems. It also provides minimal compromise of sporty, balanced, rear-drive performance characteristics on dry roads.

Those interested in the added traction of all-wheel-drive need not be an auto engineer or gearhead to understand the Infiniti system; it distributes engine torque via an electromagnetic clutch, supplying variable amounts of power to the front wheels up to a maximum of 50 percent.

Move off the line and 75 percent of torque goes to the rear wheels, with the front ones getting 25 percent. When under way, the system can shoot 100 percent of the torque to the rear wheels, giving the G35X AWD Leather model the balanced feel of a rear-drive car.

In contrast, Infiniti says, the BMW 330xi, Mercedes C-Class 4Matic and Audi A4 Quattro systems only shoot 50 to 62 percent of power to the rear wheels.

Moreover, the G35X AWD Leather sedan has a Snow Mode switch for snowy and icy roads that provides 50-50 torque distribution to help avoid wheel spin for smooth starts at speeds up to 12 mph. Above that, the central computer processing system takes over again, continually monitoring traction conditions and changing the torque distribution as needed.

The torque split control strategy automatically transfers optimum torque to the wheels according to road and driving conditions and helps provide sports sedan cornering capability because of optimum torque distribution to all wheels.

The sporty G35 sedan line has four extremely well-equipped models (there also are three G35 coupes) costing from $27,950 to $31,900, which is the price of the G35X AWD Leather sedan; it comes with leather upholstery, a responsive automatic transmission, power front seats and steering wheel radio controls. Further adding stability are traction and stability control systems.

The G35X AWD Leather model thus is one of the safest high-performance sedans; its other safety features include front side air bags and head protecting curtain side air bags. There also are anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution for surer panic stops and a tire-pressure monitor.

The upscale, roomy G35 sedan (June 10, 2002 AutoTimes) was a hit after arriving as a 2002 model because it acted like a good European sports sedan, was reasonably priced and was loaded with equipment.

Surprisingly, Road & Track magazine found the new G35 took the No. 1 spot by beating out sports sedans from BMW, Mercedes, Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Jaguar, Lexus, Lincoln, Saab and Volvo in the approximately $28,000-$40,000 range.

The quiet interior is a pleasant place to spend time, with its supportive seats, easily read backlit gauges, convenient controls and automatic climate control. However, the look-alike audio controls are needlessly complicated.

There's no arguing that the all-wheel-drive system adds more traction. However, the $27,950-$30,100 G35 sedan versions have plenty of traction to begin with. And my test G35X AWD Leather sedan had a rather heavy feel generally associated with all-wheel-drive models.

The speed-sensitive power steering felt a little too heavy, although it's plenty quick. Thank goodness the excessive, annoying brake pedal sensitivity of the 2002 G35 sedan I tested was gone.

The G35X AWD Leather sedan is very fast with its sophisticated 3.5-liter, 260-horsepower engine, although the throttle action makes its acceleration a bit too sensitive in stop-and-go traffic.

The all-wheel-drive system causes fuel economy to drop to an estimated, mediocre 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway from 18 and 26 for the rear-drive G35 with an automatic transmission. Lower economy always comes with an all-wheel-drive setup because of such a system's added weight and increased driveline friction.

The G35X AWD Leather model is a good alternative to costlier, comparably powered all-wheel-drive sedans from BMW, Mercedes and Audi, although it isn't as prestigious and is a bit less refined.

2004 INFINITI G35X AWD

Price
$31,900

Likes
Advanced new all-wheel-drive system. Fast. Roomy. Good handling. Well-equipped.

Dislikes
Look-alike audio controls. Overly sensitive throttle. Mediocre fuel economy.