New Car Review of the 2006 Infiniti G35 Near-Luxury Compact Coupe

Base MSRP Range: $31,200 - $33,800

Base Invoice Range: $28,701 - $31,084

MSRP As Tested: $40,610. Including :Premium package ($3,350), navigation system ($1,800), sport-tuned suspension package ($750), sunroof ($1,000), 17-inch chrome wheels ($1,610). Price as tested (including $650 destination charge)

Versions: Coupe, Sedan

Vehicle Category: Near-Luxury Compact Coupe

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive.

Standard Engine: 3.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6, 280 – horsepower at 6200rpm and 270 lb-ft torque at 4800 rpm.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 6-speed manual 19/26, 5-speed automatic 18/25.

Transmission: Six-speed manual, Five-speed automatic.

Standard Safety Features:

• Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors/RF occupant classification sensor
• Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front passengers
• Front-seat side-impact supplemental air bags
• LATCH system with child seat upper tether anchor
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) including ABS and Traction Control System function
• Zone Body Construction with crumple zones
• 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts for all occupants (driver ELR only)
• 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors
• Front-seat active head restraints
• First aid kit (interior-mounted)
• Vehicle Security System with indicator light
• Tamper resistant door lock key cylinder
• Remote Keyless Entry system

Competition: Acura TL and TSX, Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Cadillac CTS, Lexus ES 330, Saab 9-3.

Hot Springs, Arkansas -- A few days before our family vacation in Arkansas, debate rocked the Price household.

I knew I'd have the keys that week to an Infiniti G35 Coupe, a fun little car that would be perfect for zipping through the hilly roads around Hot Springs. That's what I wanted to take.

My wife, on the other hand, wanted to be reasonable. She preferred her old Nissan Altima, which is roomy enough to haul our kids and our luggage but is about as fun to drive as a John Deere tractor.

So which side won out? Practicality or fun?

Turns out the G35 could provide both.

After carefully measuring our luggage, testing how baby seats fit and how much knee room would be left for us adults during the four-hour drive, we ended up taking the Infiniti and absolutely loving it. It satisfied Mom's need for a comfortable ride and Dad's need for something worthy of blasting through the mountains.

Several things make this two-door car good enough for transporting a family -- although not ideal.

For one, both front seats come with a nifty button that makes it easier to climb in and out of the car. Press it one way and the front seat motors forward, creating a bigger opening for your hind end to plop into place in the back of the car. Press it the other way and the front seat scoots back where it was before. It's simple but ingenious.

Luxurious gizmos are also abundant in this car. While the driving feel is stiff and sporty, exactly the opposite of a traditional luxury car, goodies like a satellite navigation system, a terrific Bose stereo and dual-zone climate control make it a comfortable and fun place to spend hours on the highway.

And with how great this car drives, you won't mind spending a lot of time behind the wheel.

At the heart of this sporty cruiser is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 280 horsepower while trumpeting a gorgeous, melodic tone through its exhaust pipes. This engine sounds like it's singing, especially when you roll down the windows and watch the country scenery go by.

After a while, though, you'll notice the G35 sounds quite a bit louder than its competition at Lexus, the new IS. The Infiniti is a car that gives you a much more exciting sensory experience than the Lexus, but it's not nearly as relaxing for those times you want to wind down.

Another downside in the G35 is the layout of some controls in its cabin. Most cars put the power-seat controls on the outside edge of the seats where they're within easy reach, but this Infiniti puts them next to the center console where they're awkward to adjust. Other switches on the dash are in hard-to-reach places, and many of the buttons around the radio, navigation and climate control systems look alike and can be hard to adjust at a glance. You have to take your eyes off the road longer than you'd like to.

Any weaknesses in the cabin are redeemed by the G35's outstanding suspension, which keeps body roll to a minimum but still feels comfortable over bumps. It stays almost perfectly flat in high-speed corners, giving you plenty of confidence and ample feedback as you push the car closer to its limits, but it's not violently rough like a true sports car.

The body on this car is also a big plus, with muscular lines that draw second glances and a sloping roofline that suggests speed and elegance. It's classy, sexy, sporty and fun.

And, assuming you don't have to load the kids in it every day, it can be surprisingly practical for a family of four.

Pros: It's terrific fun to drive and surprisingly practical for a two-door car. It comes with one of the best engines in the world and plenty of luxury goodies, not to mention a good-looking body.

Cons: The cabin is noisier than its competition at Lexus, and some of the buttons aren't placed in very logical spots.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 8
• Performance: 7
• Price: 6
• Handling: 4
• Ride: 4
• Comfort: 6
• Quality: 7
• Overall: 6

More Data

Where Built: Japan

Major Options: Sport-Tuned Suspension Package, Premium package, Aero Package, Bose® Stereo Package, Rear Active Steer Package, Navigation Package. Sunroof, 17-inch chrome wheels, Intelligent Key, Wood trim,Leather-appointed seats, Heated front seats – high and low settings, 8-way power driver's seat with manual adjustable lumbar support, 4-way power passenger's seat, Folding rear seat back, Front seatback map pockets, Rear window defroster with indicator light and timer, Rear head restraints, Illuminated entry system with time delay fade-out, Drivers seat and steering wheel memory.

Seating: 4.

Number of Rows: 2.

Length in Inches: 182.2

Warranties: 4 years/60,000 miles bumper to bumper, 6/70,000 Extended powertrain, 7 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection, 4 years/unlimited miles Roadside assistance.

Weight in Pounds: 3505 lbs.

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: 4391lbs.

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not available.

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 20.0

Destination Charge: $650