It’s been a very long time since Infiniti dealers had a convertible to sell, but with the arrival of the 2009 G37 Convertible, a 17-year drop-top drought comes to an end. Based on the dramatic G37 Coupe, the G37 Convertible is equipped with a weather-tight, three-piece power retractable steel hardtop that stows in the trunk when its time to bask in the sunshine. There’s seating for four passengers, and the convertible is offered with unique features such as a Bose Open Air sound system and an Adaptive Climate Control system. All it needs now is the available all-wheel-drive system found in the G37 Coupe, and this G37 Convertible could be a perfect year-round performance machine.

Highlights of the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible include:

• Standard and Sport models
• Three-piece power retractable hardtop
• Standard Adaptive Climate Control system
• Available Bose Open Air sound system
• Seating for four passengers

Model Lineup

Infiniti sells the G37 Convertible in standard and Sport trim, the latter equipped exclusively with a manual transmission. Both cars are equipped with a three-piece power retractable hardtop that stows in the trunk for top-down driving, as well as an Adaptive Climate Control system that automatically adjusts according to vehicle speed and outside temperature to help maintain consistent comfort levels when the top is down.

Features included in the base price are the usual suspects on a luxury-branded vehicle, such as leather upholstery, heated and power adjustable front seats, real aluminum interior accents, an automatic climate control system, keyless locking and ignition, Xenon headlights, and a reversing camera. The Sport model, in addition to a manual transmission, also has sport-tuned steering, beefier brakes, bigger 19-inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires, a 10-way power driver’s sport seat with torso adjustment and thigh extension, a sport seat for the front passenger, unique interior stitching, and aluminum foot pedals. The Sport model also has subtle design tweaks in front to help it stand apart from the standard model.

Factory options are only available as part of a package. Most people will want the Premium Package, which includes Bluetooth, an iPod interface, Homelink, a Bose Open Air premium sound system, a Plasmacluster cabin air purifier, a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, climate-controlled front seats, and synchronized seat, mirror, and steering column settings. The Navigation Package adds an Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation system with lane guidance and 3-D building display, a 9.3-gig Music Box hard drive with CompactFlash slot, XM NavTraffic, and Infiniti Voice Recognition technology for the climate, audio, and navigation systems. A Technology Package includes adaptive front lighting that swivels with the steering to help illuminate around turns, Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking, and seat belts that cinch up tight when a crash is deemed imminent.

In addition to these three option packages, the standard model can be equipped with two performance-oriented option groups. The Sport Package adds everything from the Sport model except the manual transmission. Instead of a six-speed stick and a clutch pedal, it gets magnesium paddle shifters for manual control of gear changes without letting go of the steering wheel. If you don’t want the Sport Package but still desire to swap the standard 18-inch split-spoke alloys for the 19-inch wheels on the Sport model, a Performance Tire and Wheel Package accommodates you, switching from all-season performance tires to summer performance tires in the process. Fully equipped, a G37 Convertible prices out just north of $52,000.

Under the Hood

The Infiniti G37 Convertible is equipped with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission. This engine makes 325 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 267 ft.-lbs. of torque at 5,200 rpm. According to the EPA, the G37 Convertible is rated to return 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with the manual, and 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway with the automatic.

Our review vehicle, a G37 Sport equipped with a manual transmission, averaged 17.8 mpg during a week of mixed driving. Combined with the car’s 20-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 355-mile range between fill-ups of premium unleaded.

Notably, the G37’s automatic transmission is equipped with Adaptive Shift Control, Drive Sport mode, and Downshift Rev Matching features. Adaptive Shift Control ensures that shifts are executed smoothly when the G37 is operated in normal automatic mode. In Drive Sport mode, software can recognize how the car is being driven – sedately, normally, or aggressively – and automatically adjusts shift points and shift quality to match the driver’s style. In manual mode, the transmission’s Downshift Rev Matching feature automatically blips the throttle for smoother gear changes.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible includes dual front airbags, side impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags for the front seat occupants which deploy from the door panels. Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and emergency brake assist are also standard, along with a stability and traction control system. The G37 Convertible is also equipped with pop-up roll bars that deploy when a rollover accident is possible.

Additional safety technologies available on the G37 Convertible include a standard reversing camera system, an optional Adaptive Front Lighting System, and an available Intelligent Cruise Control system. With the Adaptive Front Lighting System, the G37 Convertible’s headlamps swivel with steering inputs to help illuminate around corners for better visibility at night. The Intelligent Cruise Control system employs a radar unit to measure the distance between the front of the G37 and an object ahead. The cruise control system uses this information to maintain a set distance behind traffic ahead, and can even modulate the G37’s speed in heavy traffic, eventually bringing the car back up its programmed speed when traffic clears.

The G37 Convertible is also available with Preview Braking and Pre-Crash Seatbelts. Preview Braking uses the radar unit included with the Intelligent Cruise Control system to identify when a vehicle ahead has come to a quick stop, or when the G37 is approaching an stationary object. Preview Braking gets the braking system ready to deliver full emergency braking power when the driver steps on the brake pedal. The pre-crash seatbelts will automatically cinch tight to occupants when an accident is deemed imminent.

The Competition

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible competes against other entry premium convertibles such as the Audi A5 Cabriolet, BMW 3 Series Convertible, Lexus IS Convertible, and Volvo C70.

Compare entry premium convertibles

Note: This review was published on December 30, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.