I test drove both back to back. There was very little difference in the ride quality. But keep in mind neither of them is a "cushy" ride. Both versions are pretty stiff, but that's expected given the car is more along the "sport" line.

The thing that made the decision for me was that I hated that silver console. Really ugly IMOP. I preferred the rims on the non-sport too. Although this was in 2003. I really love the 05. The rims are better looking and the tail lights are much better. I bought my car based on the "I love the way it drives" because I don't really love the way it looks.

 

Non-sport suspension is nice. Still very firm and predictable, but just a little softer and less road noise from the smaller tires. Still a very sporty ride, when put up against the competition ... especially FWD competition.

 

I find the Sport Suspension to be surprisingly firm, sometimes harsh, and sometimes a bit bouncy around town and this is coming from owning a 96 Maxima on H&Rs/Konis and aftermarket 17s. The ride seems to be worse in the colder months when the strut fluid is thick. In live in Kansas City where the streets get heaved and broken from the extreme temperature swings and the high shrink/swell potential of our high clay soils. The roads are basically crappy around here so the ride can get quite busy sometimes. The handling is quite good though. I wish Nissan could find that sporty compliance that BMW can seem to tune in.

 

I agree with DaveB. The ride is a little more harsh than expected over rough roads with the sport suspension but I wouldn't trade the car for a pillow ride of a Lexus because if I wanted to float over the road, I'd have leased the Lexus. The firmer ride is a small price to pay for the entertaining handling and power of the G.

 

I'm currently riding on 18's with Michelin Pilot Sport 2. The ride is a little too harsh and will replace these tires when worn with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S.

 

The key question should be what car are you currently driving and what "feel" do you want?

 

I test drove both could hardly feel any difference. Ended up picking the non sport because I hated that silver colored center console.

 

Can someone post a pic of the "titanium" colored sport console compared to that of the non-sport console? I'm not sure what you guys are talking about.