I'm surprise nobody has said anything about this issue with the 7 car AWD comparison. (Audi A4, BMW 325Xi, Lexus IS250, Subaru Legacy GT, Volvo S40, Mazda 6, Infiniti G35X). First the good news, the G35X got 0-60 of 5.9 secs and 1/4 mile of 14.4 secs! That's the fastest I've seen the G35X tested. Hell, that's even faster than most of the RWD test I've seen for the G35 (auto)! Now the bad news, the G35X finished 6th out of 7 places!!! The only car that they ranked below the G35X is the Volvo S40. Unbelievable! They said among other things, the G35X exterior is getting outdated and they thought the interior was cheap, etc.... I don't have the issue in front of me but I'll leave the gory details for you to read. Just because the Lexus and BMW is newly design doesn't mean it's better looking! In fact, I like the older designs of both cars better than the new design. I wasn't expecting the G35X to win or even be top 2 but 6th place!
BTW the winner was the Audi A4 (price independent) and the Subaru Legacy GT (with price factor in).

 

this is a repost check the other cars comparison section of this forum

 

https://g35driver.com/forums/other-cars/84082-ouch-r-t-7-awd-sports-sedan-comparo-g35x-6th-place.html

 

Yes, but no one noted the 14.4@96mph the G35X pulled. That's the quickest and fasted 5AT G35 I've heard of in a mag. Motor Trend got a 14.7@95mph out of their 05 5AT RWD. As of late it, seems like C&D has been pulling significantly better MPHs and ETs out of their cars compared to other mags. In the same comparison test, they got a 13.7@99mph out of the Legacy GT and a 14.9@95mph out of the Volvo S40. Those times are about .2-.3 quicker than I've seen other mags land. Months ago, C&D got a 13.7 out of the IS350 which is .3-.5 seconds quicker than the other mags too. IMO, they're getting really good at driving the cars compared to the other mags. I've always known the X was good for 14.4s seeing that the RWD 5ATs can see 14.2-14.3 stock.

 

C&D is typically quicker than the other mags because they use a more aggressive launch, but the bigger factor is they post corrected times (adjuster for altitude and weather conditions). This typically improves their stats.

 

It's a very accurate review - the G35x scores great in the performace catagory, and not much else. It's been left far behind in regards to interior design/fit and finish/refinement w/some others in this review. Others offer similar performance but much better quality and an interior worthy of this class.

Like they said, we'll see what the new '07 brings and then I'd like to see this comparason run again.

 

These reviews seem a little biased. Infiniti is gaining popularity but mags still seem to stay with the stand by bmw/lexus praising.

Most of us on g35driver have researched very well and know pretty much what the other guys had to offer. For me that means not caring much what these reviewers conclude. I still like to read the opinions, but they are still just opinions.

 

Just because a car has had the same styling for a few years does not make it outdated. The G is still a great looking car. BMW keeps a body style for at least 4-5 years, sometimes more. 6th! No way...

 

That's true - but the G sedan, with it's high sides and narrow stance does look a little dated. Don't get me wrong, I still love mine - but a last gen BMW still looks pretty fresh while the G-sedan looks like an older model. I think if the new one is wider and lower like the new BMW/IS it'll have a little more staying power in terms of exterior design.

As for the rest of the comparo I posted in the other thread. The G is still a great bargain with lots of power and good handling, but the interior is mediocre, the exterior styling is dated, and gas mileage isn't very good - in short it's a 4 year old model competing with new models. This time next year the new model G-sedan should be trouncing these mag reviews.

 

I thought it was a good read. I still think the G is a fine car-And it's a lot bigger than any of those cars in the competition. It also jams in the snow.

I really liked the comparison between the G35 and G35x-Very interesting
Bottom Line: The G is older than the rest and the EL42s are garbage as we all know. However, I really like the steering and power delivery. Some stiffer shocks and springs would do wonders here. Just the sport wheels make a huge difference. More suspension control is key
With respect to the acceleration test:
The G can achieve the numbers with this little or no harm to the drivetrain. No drama, easily repeatable. This should have been noted.
I'd love to see the Legacy doing that 6 grand dump over and over-Not a good real world test.
I wonder why they still use the 0-60 benchmark? Why not 0-65 or 5-70?

The Audi had the sports suspension and sport wheels and tires. That makes a world of difference. The interior is still pretty sweet on those Audis.
However, man you pay for it ! And yes the 2.0t can be chipped-I still think the G has a better platform than the B7-

The Legacy Spec B is a nice ride. No, not perfect, though more fun than any of the other cars from my experience. Still doesn't come with HIDs or Sat radio at $35k though. Of all in the test, I'd have to give the thumbs up to the Sube overall.
The new Lexus is the best looking to these eyes and might one up the Audi on the interior.

Interesting note- I met Patrick Hong at Laguna Seca a year ago. I asked him what he'd buy if he were in the market for a $30-40k car. He told me if it was his money, he'd buy a G. I guess times have changed a bit. Here's to New York.

 

I don't find G35's exterior styling outdated AT ALL. I still think it is the second best looking sports sedan following E60 BMW 5-series. Look at E90 3-series taillights, now that is what I call ugly. But it is their magazine they could say whatever they want as long as they don't twist the facts. I only care what C&D and MotorTrend say about cars, that's why I only subscribe to these two auto magazines.

 

i saw that review also and agreed with it. People always say the rwd verision handles better than the 4wd and its much faster. I test drove both, didnt see any real difference. Went with the X because of the snow here. The whole point of the I-awd is rwd for most times until u loose traction. i can get my back loose anytime i want and i have done it many times... IMO, i can have as much fun (safely) as I would with a rwd verision. Now if you are talking about professional drivers then yes, i woudl imagine rwd verision would be better in that case.

 

I didn't agree at all with the comparsion test C&D did between the RWD G35 5AT sedan and the G35X in the same sedan comparison article. They said the RWD G was actually slower than the X thru the handling manuvers because the RWD G was very tail happy which lost time. The picture they show is a non-Sport RWD G on the 17s with medicore all season rubber. Everyone here knows that the non-Sport RWD G on crappy A/S rubber is going to be a handful through the twisty stuff. Outfit the RWD G with the Sport package (LSD, 18s, summer rubber) and they would have drawn an ENTIRELY different conclusion. An X is also shod with crappy rubber, but it's lack of rubber grip is compensated by it's additional 2 drive wheels. It does make a difference.

 

Right, this is what car and driver said...

"Here is one reason: It remains pretty much as it has always been, and others have gotten better."

Only problem is that they are talking about the audi here, the winner of the R&T comparo.

Im not looking for everyone to agree on the same car as being great, but just a little consistency might be in order.

 

Odd as I read an older "Automobile" mag article that pitted the G35x right against an Audi A4. They liked Infiniti's RWD based AWD vs Audi front transaxle based AWD system