First Impressions: 2008 Infiniti G37

Last week, the crew from Cars.com got to take a spin in a number of new cars from a variety of automakers. With full reviews in the works for most of them, we figured we’d all give our first impressions of some of the more notable cars on hand.

• This was actually the first car I took out in the morning, and I thought I had made a score by grabbing the hot coupe before anyone else. I found the looks of the new G coupe to be subtle but still attractive; the inside was just as nice as the G35 sedan, and I figured the drive would be much more thrilling. Instead, while the G37 is a capable coupe with a smooth shifter and light clutch, it didn’t throw me back in the seat from a stop as much as I had expected, nor did it carve corners energetically. In a car landscape with so many great performers, I’m not sure I’d settle for above-average.  —  David Thomas, KickingTires editor 

• This was a marked improvement over the G35 I’d driven before, but still not quite right. The clutch and gearshift worked better — they actually felt like they were connected to the car and not a computer — and the engine had nice pull in a variety of gears. Still, it just didn’t wow me. If it’s meant to compete with BMW, it’s got a ways to go in the driving experience category. The interior was nice, though. — William Jackson, Buying Guides editor
• I’m with the guys on the acceleration aspect. I, too, like the shifter and clutch, but the new engine isn’t doing Infiniti or its drivers any favors. There’s more power and torque than in the 2007, but the torque peak is now way up at 5,200 rpm, and you can tell. Americans want their oomph right off the line, and that’s why we prefer the BMW 335i (who thought we’d ever say this about a turbocharged engine?). The G is at least better than the BMW 328, where the oomph never comes. I thought the S version would have better balance and grip, but it’s hard to tell from a brief ride. — Joe Wiesenfelder, senior editor
• I’m the odd one out — I found acceleration aplenty, with enough torque as low as 2,800 rpm or so. Above that the engine pulls strong, and Infiniti seems to have dealt with the sedan’s annoying grunching noise when you push the clutch in. Compact sport sedans have always been about juicing a high-tech V-6 for all it’s worth, and the 335i breaks all the rules – which, strangely enough, the old 330i exemplified. The G37 doesn’t scoot as quickly off the line as the turbocharged Bimmer, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had. On a separate note, the front seats have a one-touch button near the head restraint that motors them forward for backseat access. Another push of the button moves them back to the original position on the driver’s side and a default position on the passenger’s. Almost perfect. — Kelsey Mays, Cars.com reviewer

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