2009 INFINITI G37 Convertible Reviews and Ratings

The G37 interior is lively and friendly without being fussy or overly busy. The overall quality of the passenger cabins has increased with this latest generation, and they're much better suited to the luxury class than they once were. The G37s are priced lower than some European competitors, with more standard equipment. They're a great place for performance-minded buyers to start shopping.

For 2009, there are lots of significant updates across the G37 line. All models are now equipped with a new, larger 3.7-liter V6 introduced in the G37 Coupe for 2008, and horsepower increases across the line. The standard automatic transmission has been upgraded from five to seven speeds, and EPA mileage ratings increase one mpg city, two mpg highway as a result. The Coupe is now available with full-time all-wheel-drive, offering buyers in tough-winter climates an extra element of mobility, security and safety.

The biggest news for 2009 is introduction of the G37 Convertible, featuring a retractable steel hardtop. The Convertible is the only G37 body style not offered with all-wheel drive.

All G37s come standard with rear drive, which delivers handling characteristics front-wheel drive can't usually match. All models are available with a six-speed manual transmission that's increasingly rare in this class; the new seven-speed automatic is tuned for sporting response, with available steering wheel paddles for manual shifting.

The engine is more powerful than that of many competitors, and it's tuned for the sort of response and excitement that enthusiast drivers prefer. This car's trademark has always been sporty driving dynamics, but Infiniti has also made strides addressing its shortcomings. Interior finish and overall smoothness have steadily improved the last several model years.

The four-door G37 is true sports sedan, reacting to driver commands in the fashion of a sport-tuned coupe. Yet it seats four comfortably in all circumstances, with easy in-out access and plenty of stowage space in the trunk.

The two-door G37 Coupe looks racier than the sedan, and it's fresh from a complete redesign for 2008. Its chassis is stiffer, lower and wider than its predecessor's, with improved ride quality and even better handling. Its instrumentation is first rate, and its climate, audio and navigation systems are easy to understand and control. Rear seat legroom is more restricted than in the sedan, however, so two adults may not be happy in the Coupe's back seat for long.

The new G37 Convertible looks a lot like the coupe, until its three-piece steel top opens at the touch of a button. Then it's a cabriolet. The Convertible comes with a Bose Open Air Sound System that automatically adjusts audio levels according to vehicle speed and ambient noise. The Convertible's climate control system also adjusts fan speed based on vehicle speed when the top is open.

The coupe and sedan are available in three trim levels, and the convertible in two. The top level is the Sport 6MT, which features the manual transmission, bigger brakes and a host of performance-enhancing features, including 19-inch high-performance tires. All G37s are offered with the high-tech features expected in this category, including adaptive bi-xenon headlights and excellent audio systems. The navigation system monitors traffic conditions and includes a 9.3 gigabyte hard drive with a compact flash-drive slot.

Safety features include a full complement of six airbags, a tire pressure monitor, Vehicle Dynamic Control to help the driver manage skids and advanced ABS with EBD and Brake Assist. In the convertible, head-protection airbags open up from the door rather than down from the roof, while two roll-protection hoops automatically pop up behind the rear seats in the event of a potential rollover accident. Optional safety features include a back-up camera, radar-managed active cruise control and a lane-guidance system.

The G37 Sedan ($33,250) comes with leather seats, automatic temperature control, cruise control, an eight-way power driver's seat, six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio with auxiliary input, keyless entry and starting, HID bi-Xenon headlights and 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-season tires. The 3.7-liter V6 delivers 328 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque in the sedan. The Journey ($34,000) adds a six-disc CD changer, eight-way power front passenger seat, and automatic headlights.

The G37 Sedan Sport 6MT ($34,250) comes with a six-speed manual transmission and a firmer, sport-tuned suspension. It also adds performance upgrades such as larger brakes, 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires and a viscous limited slip differential, for increased traction under hard acceleration. The Sport looks racier than other models, thanks to a more aggressive front end styling, with sport-style seats and aluminum pedals.

The G37x Sedan ($35,750) adds Infiniti's ATTESA E-TS fulltime all-wheel-drive system.

The G37 Coupe ($35,900) is equipped similarly to the sedan, though its engine delivers slightly more power: 330 hp, 270 lb-ft. The Journey ($36,650), Coupe Sport 6MT ($37,000) and G37x Coupe AWD ($38,700) come with essentially the same standard equipment as their sedan counterparts.

The G37 Convertible ($43,850) features a power-retractable steel hard top that opens or closes in about 30 seconds. It comes standard with a Bose Open Air Sound System that adjusts audio levels based on outside noise, vehicle speed and top position. Its climate control adjusts fan speed according to top position and vehicle speed. Infiniti's RearView Monitor camera is standard. The Convertible Sport 6MT ($43,900) is equipped like the other Sport models.

Option clusters include the Premium Package for the coupe ($3,200) and sedan ($2,500) includes a moonroof, the 11-speaker Bose Studio on Wheels audio system with iPod connection, driver's seat memory, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, an anti-glare rearview mirror with compass, a hands-free phone system and heated front seats and door mirrors. The Navigation Package ($2,200 coupe, $2,150 sedan) is touch-screen and voice-activated, with detailed information on traffic ahead, using XM radio and includes a 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive with compact flash drive slot, and the rearview video monitor. The Sport Package ($1,850 for coupe, $2,100 sedan) for base and Journey trim levels adds the Sport 6MT's tauter suspension, 19-inch wheels and tires, bigger brakes, sport seats and steering wheel paddle shifters for the automatic transmission.

Stand-alone options include 19-inch high-performance tires ($650), the moonroof ($1,000), and African Rosewood interior trim ($450). The 4-Wheel Active Steer Package ($1300) makes high-speed lane changes steadier and safer, by altering the front steering ratio and counter-steering the rear wheels up to 3 degrees.

Safety features include two-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags for front passengers and full-cabin, head protection curtains. Infiniti's Vehicle Dynamic Control helps keep the G37 under control in the wet, and the anti-lock brakes feature Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist. The convertible features pop-up roll hoops behind the read seat for rollover protection.

The Technology Package ($1,150 coupe, $1,100, sedan) is essentially a collection of safety features. It includes Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), which maintains the gap to the car in front, Preview Braking to pre-load the brake system in advance of a potential collision, Adaptive Front Lighting to aim the headlights into curves, and the RearView Monitor.

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.

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.

For 2009, all G37 variants are equipped with a new engine introduced in the 2008 G37 coupe. This slightly larger 3.7 liter V6 increases horsepower and torque across the line, though exact output varies slightly depending on the body style. The Coupe's 330 horsepower is a lot to get out of a V6, and it ranks right at the top of the G37's class. The engine features the latest in material and control technology, including Infiniti's VVEL, for Variable Valve Event and Lift. This hydraulically-controlled variable valve timing system improves not only performance and response, but also emissions and fuel efficiency.

All G37 variants deliver responsive performance and great acceleration. Stand on the gas and they pull right up to maximum rpm, willingly and heartily revving to levels normally associated with smaller, less complex engines. And the character is as important as sheer performance.

These V6s generate about 270 pound-feet of torque at a peaky 5200 rpm, and rev to a howling pitch at 7500 rpm, where the rev limiter begins to gently cut fuel. The power comes on smooth and quick, accompanied by a unique howl crafted into the exhaust system. You can hear it when a G37 rolls by at 20 mph, and you can hear from the driver's seat with the windows down. It's likely to bring a smile to your face. You can barely hear it with the windows up, however, thanks to improvements Infiniti has made to the G37 by reducing noise and vibration inside.

Despite the extra dose of power for 2009, and acceleration near the top of the class, there's also a slight increase in fuel mileage, at least in cars equipped with the automatic transmission. EPA ratings increase 1 mpg City and 2 mpg Highway, to 18 mpg City/26 mpg Highway for G37s with rear-wheel drive, and 18 City/25 Highway for those with all-wheel drive. The mileage improvement comes primarily from a new seven-speed automatic, which has two more gears than its predecessor. This allows even brisker acceleration, with a big overdrive gear that means lower engine speeds and less noise when cruising on the freeway.

The automatic does its job rather casually at part throttle. Most of the time we stayed in plain old Drive, able to forget the transmission was even there. If the driver moves the moves the stubby leather-wrapped shift lever to the left, however, Sport mode is engaged. The upshifts come at higher rpm, and both upshifts and downshifts are sharper. Holding the right foot unwaveringly hard to the floor produces sharper, more solid shifts at the engine's redline.

For more aggressive driving on lightly traveled back roads, we found that the Manual mode is where we wanted to be. The automatic changes gears quickest and smoothest with either the shift lever or the column-mounted paddles under full throttle; it's like a power shift but without the clutch. Credit this to the engine's electronics, which feather the throttle through the instantaneous shift. The same electronics deliver smooth downshifts, too, whether in full auto mode or manual override, by blipping the throttle to match engine rpm to transmission speed in the lower gear. It's like double clutching a pure manual gearbox.

In short, the G37's seven-speed automatic is excellent, but we still like the conventional six-speed manual. We like it even better that Infiniti offers a manual in a category where such transmissions are increasingly rare. The six-speed's shift pattern is tight, and gear selection precise, requiring little effort. Clutch operation is heavier than we would expect even on a sports sedan. This makes for sometimes rocky clutch engagement, especially at low speeds and light throttle. But once the driver is used to it, it's a satisfying operation.

The balance of ride and handling is consistently good across the G37 line. This luxury car starts with rear-wheel drive, like a BMW, rather than front-wheel drive like an Acura. The G37 base and Journey models are a bit more softly sprung than the Sport 6MTs, but not even the base Sedan is floaty. Far from it, actually.

For hustling down winding roads, though, the Sedan's 6MT model's sport-tuned suspension (optional on all G37 variants) is the preferred choice. It's still quite comfortable cruising the Interstate: solid and taut, managing the G37's mass very well without exacting a price in stiffness. The sport suspension is firmer than the base suspension, to be sure, and it will transmit pavement heaves more dramatically into the passenger compartment. But over anything less than chunking blacktop or weathered concrete, it gives up very little against the standard suspension, which leans a bit more toward supple.

The Coupe might be the sportiest G37 of all. Its redesigned chassis is quite bit more solid than before, and a bit lower, with a slightly wider track. The multi-link rear suspension separates the shocks and coil springs, allowing ideal placement of each. You could forgive some stiffness from any suspension that provides high-performance handling, but as sporting coupes go, the G37 needs no slack in standards of ride comfort.

And we're really impressed with the handling, especially with the Sport package. The speed-sensitive power steering is seamless. It turns precisely into corners, with no dead spots through a long curve. The G's front-midship design, with the engine set farther back behind the front axle, is inherently well balanced. Driving hard over roads that would cause almost any car to twitch, the steering wheel stays remarkably steady.

The Coupe Sport 6MT is so good it almost has a downside. Pushing harder, over remote, twisty and smooth curves, we felt the standard limited-slip differential and stability electronics (VSD) at work. Or rather, we saw them working thanks to a light on the dash, The corrections are beautifully subtle. You can pitch the G37 to a ridiculous point, and the VSD just gently won't allow the car to get out of shape. It doesn't tell you how wrong you were, with a slap upside the head, like some other electronic stability systems might. And maybe sometimes the driver needs a good slap upside the head to know he or she was behaving badly.

For 2009, the new Coupe adds the all-wheel drive option. Infiniti's ATESSA E-TS system monitors data such as wheel spin, throttle position and vehicle speed, and automatically diverts up to 50 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels, improving traction and control when road conditions are less than optimal. Yet in ideal conditions, when the road is smooth and dry, the all-wheel drive system still sends all of the power to the rear wheels, preserving the G's sporty rear-drive handling characteristics. In both coupe and sedan, the G37x's AWD has a snow mode that electronically tempers throttle response, reducing the amount of power the engine delivers for a given movement of the gas pedal.

The G37 Sport models come with bigger brakes than the others. Yet in all cases the G37's four-wheel discs are smooth, predictable, and rock steady, inspiring confidence in any driver. They're also sensitive, and when you jump on them they grab, so it takes a little time to develop the technique for smooth application.

On freeways, all G37s cruise comfortably and quietly, and that may be the biggest improvement of all. While they maintain there sporty performance edge, much of the roughness, almost cheapness, has been refined out. The irritating drone that often plagued rear seat passengers in earlier Sedans is gone, and when it comes to controlling noise and vibration inside, the G37 competes on much better terms with competitors such as Lexus and Audi.

There's little wind noise even at extra-legal speeds. There's more road noise from the optional, larger tire packages than from the standard treads, but the added grip and, frankly, sharper looking 19-inch wheels are worth it.

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent reported from the Motor City, with Sam Moses in the Columbia River Gorge, and Tom Lankard in Lenox, Massachusetts.