If there is one thing we can say about the 2009 Infiniti G37, it is that we liked it. We really liked it. Our Athens Blue Coupe could put a smile on your face and instantaneously make you forget about any troubles that might be clouding your day.

The car is beautiful on the inside and out, the handling is amazing and the exhaust note is nicer than the VQ35 powered Nissans, especially when you get higher up in the rev band. Our four passenger GT car is powered by a 3.7 Liter V6 with VVEL variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts to make an astounding 330 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque and shifted through a 7 speed automatic transmission.

Once you are behind the wheel you forget about the 19 inch sport rims or the chrome front grill, even the HID headlamps won’t seem impressive when you are sitting in the Stone leather seats, gripping one of the most comfortable leather wrapped multifunction steering wheels on the market, because all you will be able to think about is the road. The G37 engages you in a way that only a fun car can.

Continued after the jump.

infiniti-g37-s-coupe

Specifications
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  • Model: infiniti-g37-s-coupe

2009 Infiniti G37 S Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2009 Infiniti G37 S Coupe
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Exterior Impression:

Infiniti’s newest G Car is a refreshing update to the original G35; our Coupe featured the same two arch silhouette that we all remember from the luxury automaker’s advertising campaign, but wherever the 3.5 Liter car had a sweeping curve, the more powerful G37 has muscularly shaped rounded edges. The broad rear shoulders are an excellent example of this. The G37 also has wider looking stance, almost like someone flattened the older Infiniti sports coupe.

The car features a wide front end complimented by sharper looking headlights that come to a point at the top where the old car’s front lamps were made up of two 90 degree angles. The taillights hold a very special trait that was absent in the old car. In Japan the Infiniti G37 is known as a Nissan Skyline, and all Skylines feature two round taillights, think GT-R. Now you thinking to yourself, the G35 did have double ring taillights. Then we must ask you, did they both light up? Well they do on a G37, just like the Nissan super car and all that came before it.

Our Athens Blue G37 Coupe looked great sitting on top of the multi spoke speed inspiring 19 inch rims wrapped in summer performance rubber and housing a set of 4 piston brake calipers up front and a set of 2 piston units out back. A few of the other items that made our Infiniti G37 Coupe so nice were luxuries like the power sliding moon roof and HID headlights.

Interior Impression:

The inside of the G37 is the perfect blend of sport and style. The leather seats are comfortable enough for longest of road trips and will hold you tightly through the tightest of curves. Everything about the G37 exudes sophistication, like the signature Infiniti timepiece that comes smack dab in the middle of every one of their luxury vehicles. The only thing more comfortable than the bucket seats was the steering wheel set right in front of the bright blue gauge cluster.

The Infiniti design team also chose to use a few aluminum accents like the swatches that take your eyes from the door panel into the center stack. The brushed metal also covers that center stack and can be found on the kick plates and racing inspired pedals.

The best part of the G37 Coupe is that there is a back seat, in a car this sporty it is nice to be able to bring along a few friends, albeit short ones. Our Stone colored interior set the G37 up to be an excellent GT car. The Infiniti was very well finished, but unfortunately we didn’t pay to much attention to it because the car was so fun to drive.

The Drive:

What surprised us at first was how firm the suspension was on our G37 S, especially because it was an automatic. We can understand that kind of ride from a manually shifted sports car, but we expected a bit more of a lazy suspension that would deliver minimal feel, but that is not how Infiniti wanted their G37 sports coupe to be. Despite how the car felt on uneven city streets, on the highway the G37 squats down and hugs the road like a baby, giving the driver the kind of feel

We had to get used to feathering the throttle around town because the way the VQ37 and the seven speed automatic are geared to work together the car takes off from a standstill. One of the best things about the next generation VQ engine in our G37 is that it sends all 330 HP directly to the rear wheels through a viscous limited slip differential, ensuring that the 270 lb-ft of torque is distributed evenly across the rear axle. Even with that much power on tap, the G37 still gets an EPA estimated 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG at cruising speeds.

The only downside to our G37 was the flappy paddle gear box, although they are well designed, the shifters can get in the way of the driving experience, don’t ask us how we know. Our only complaint is that for this kind of a performance tourer, we would have expected Nissan to turn the manual shift pattern around, pulling the lever towards you to go up a gear, and lean into it under braking to drop a cog. Either way there were seven gear and we only needed the last one while cruising on the highway.

Why to Buy:

If you have read everything leading up to now you will know that there are infinite reasons to buy an Infiniti G37. However, this car is for the new car buyer who is looking for a luxury sports coupe with plenty of luxury, style and performance; with a back seat in their GT car.

Why not to Buy:

Unfortunately the Infiniti G37 is not for everyone, our beautiful Athens Blue Sport model came in at $45,045. Now that is not an astronomical amount on money when you consider how much car you are getting. But at $45K plus, the G37 is definitely a luxury. Try a Nissan Altima Coupe with a V6 if you wan similar styling and suitable power, but for $15K less, it makes you start to think about monthly payments. Try a BMW 3 Series, but you will spend a lot more to get something comparable.

If you are planning on using those back seats very often then the sedan should be more your style, he limited headroom in the back, and despite Infiniti putting the control on the passenger seat, tilting the seat back and forth over and over again can get old after a while. If it is a pure sports car experience that you want without the sound of a crying baby, buy a Nissan 370Z.

If you don't have the money to spend then you could also consider the all new Hyundai Genesis Coupe, for the same price as the Altima, you get rear wheel drive with a little less luxury.

Top Speed Final Verdict:

The editorial staff thoroughly enjoyed the Infiniti G37 S Coupe. The car was lots of fun and had a few touches, like the working double ring taillights, that hint at the G37's historic Skyline heritage; reminding you that the G platform may be new to the U.S. but in Japan they have been working on this car for over 50 years. The G37 offers a comfortable ride, with good speed, although next time we are asking for a manual.