Infused with added power and given a new name for 2009, the Infiniti G37 Sedan continues to be the best-selling model in the Japanese luxury automaker’s lineup. The G37 has a powerful V-6 engine and rear- or all-wheel drive, and is aimed squarely at the iconic BMW 3 Series in terms of driving dynamics. Bigger and less expensive than its German competitor, the Infiniti emphasizes performance and luxury in equal doses.

For 2009, here is what changed on the Infiniti G37 Sedan:
•New 328-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 engine
•New 7-speed automatic transmission with Drive Sport mode and Adaptive Shift Control
•Available sport braking system
•New 18-inch wheel design
•New Scratch-Shield paint, which “self-heals” minor blemishes to the finish
•Upgraded interior materials, including soft-touch lower door panels and brighter aluminum trim
•Redesigned seat heater switch
•Wood trim is now available on G37 Journey models equipped with the Sport Package
•Two new colors: Sahara Sandstone and Moonlight White

The 2009 Infiniti G37 is offered as four models: standard G37, G37 Journey, G37 Sport 6MT, and G37x AWD. Selecting the G37 Journey adds automatic headlights, dual-zone climate control, an 8-way power front passenger’s seat, and a 6-disc CD changer. The G37x AWD adds an intelligent all-wheel drive system, heated outside mirrors, and heated front seats. Choosing Journey or G35x AWD trim is also the pathway to additional options that are not offered on the base G37.

The G37 Sport 6MT is offered only with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. It comes standard with a sport suspension, a limited slip differential, a performance braking system, 18-inch wheels with summer performance tires, front sport seats with manual thigh extensions, aluminum pedals, and subtle styling tweaks including side sills. All of these features, except the manual transmission, are also offered on the G37 Journey, and that’s how our test sample was equipped.

Options for the Infiniti G37 are primarily bundled into packages, though a power moonroof, wood interior trim, a rear spoiler, and other cosmetic enhancements can be added separately. The base G37 is not offered with packages; this is the model you sometimes find in a rental car lot. Most customers start with the slightly more expensive Journey, G37x, or Sport 6MT models, which are available with a Sport Package (Journey and G37x), a Premium Package, a Navigation Package, a Technology Package, a Performance Wheel and Tire Package (Journey), and a 4-Wheel Active Steer Package (Journey and Sport).

Among the features contained in the G37’s option packages are the Infiniti Studio on Wheels audio system (Premium), a lane guidance system (Navigation), a 9.3GB Music Box hard drive (Navigation), intelligent cruise control with preview braking (Technology), adaptive front lighting (Technology), and active front and rear steering.

The Infiniti Studio on Wheels combines Bose audio components with a 24-bit Burr-Brown digital audio converter and a driver’s audio stage for an premium sound experience. Combined with the 9.3GB Music Box hard drive with its compact flash slot and an available iPod interface system, a G37 Sedan’s owner should never be without a playlist. Lane guidance warns the driver when the G37 wanders out of a lane and nudges the driver to get the car back on track. Intelligent cruise control automatically varies the G37’s speed depending on how fast traffic ahead is moving, and works with the standard preview braking feature that readies the braking system for a panic stop when the car determines that a crash in imminent. This technology is paired with pre-crash front seatbelts that cinch up tight in advance of an impact, and with adaptive front lights that swivel to help see around corners at night. Finally, active four-wheel steering helps improve cornering capability at higher speeds while sharpening the turning radius at lower speeds.

The Infiniti G37 is powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 engine making 328 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 269 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm, operating on premium unleaded fuel. The standard transmission is a 7-speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching, Sport Mode, and Adaptive Shift Control, driving the rear or all four wheels. A six-speed manual is offered only on the G37 Sport 6MT, and is available only with rear-wheel drive. A limited slip rear differential is included on this model, and on the G37 Journey with the optional Sport package. The EPA says our G37 Journey should return 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. We got 19.4 mpg during our test driving.

Safety features include standard dual front airbags, dual front seat side-impact airbags, and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats. The Infiniti G37 also comes with active front head restraints, antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, and a traction and stability control system. A first-aid kit is also standard. Several optional safety features are available on the G37, such as intelligent cruise control with preview braking, an adaptive front lighting system, pre-crash seatbelts, a rearview monitor, and active four-wheel steering.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan competes against other entry premium vehicles such as the Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CTS, Lexus IS, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

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