This 29-mpg sport sedan packs a sweet-sounding V6
Napa Valley, Calif. - As surprising as it may sound, in the world of luxury sport sedans, power takes a backseat to price. It's true. The lower horsepower (and less expensive) offering in a sport sedan lineup invariably constitutes the majority of sales. In some cases, the less powerful version is close to 80 percent of the mix.
Armed with this intelligence, Infiniti decided it was time the G sedan received a less expensive, less potent entry to compete with the BMW 328i, Lexus IS250 and Audi A4. So Nissan's luxury brand slipped a 2.5-liter V6 into the G sedan to create the $31,835 G25. How does this mild-mannered version of Infiniti's sporty G sedan handle the competition? Let's find out.
The Specs
Raise the hood of the G25 and you'll find the 218 hp 2.5-liter V6 that Nissan calls the VQ25HR. This V6 also comes in the Japanese market Nissan Skyline 250GT sedan - the workingman's version of the G25. In U.S. spec, the V6 makes 187 lb-ft of torque and comes paired solely to an automatic with either rear-wheel or, in the case of the G25x, all-wheel drive. The seven-speed automatic in the G25 has slightly taller ratios in every gear, yet the final drive ratio of 3.357:1 remains the same.
The new G25 won't be available with the same extensive options as the G37. The only upgrade aside from all-wheel drive is the $1400 Journey package that adds a rear view parking monitor, auto headlights, heated seats and mirrors, dual zone climate control, a USB port for your iPod and a sunroof for an additional $1000.
The smaller V6 weighs marginally less than its bigger bore brethren. At 3552 pounds, a G25 equipped with the Journey package is 66 pounds lighter than a G37 Journey. That's not nearly enough of a diet to make up for the 110 horsepower deficit in therms of acceleration, but of course less weight is always welcome on curvy roads.
The G25 uses the same basic suspension tune as the G37 and wears the same 12.6-inch front and 12.1-inch rear brakes. And most will ride on 225/55R17 all-season tires.
The Drive
If we're honest, the thought of a G sedan with substantially less horsepower is not particularly appealing. After all, who prefers a slower car? But the real-world experience was surprising, at least in one respect. True, the G25 will never catch a G37 in a drag race. But if we judge performance on sound alone, if we could choose one engine over the other to listen to - we'd pick the G25's 2.5-liter V6.
The Nissan and Infiniti 3.5-liter V6s from a generation ago always sounded better than the competition. There was a throaty growl at the low rpm range, and an exceptionally distinct wait as the revs climbed. The recent 3.7-liter V6s, however, are more course sounding. These engines make their peak horsepower at 7000 rpm - yet they don't really sound happy at that speed.
The 2.5-liter V6 makes noises more like the old engine. It sounds refined and tight. And at peak horsepower, which occurs at an engine speed of 6400 rpm, the 2.5-liter V6 sounds like it could hang there all day.
So it sounds good, but how does it drive? Well, theG25 is far quicker feeling than we expected. And because it retains the same brilliant sport sedan chassis as the G37, this car is still fun to drive.
Infiniti had a Lexus IS250 on hand for comparison. The IS makes 204 hp - 14 fewer than the Infiniti. And you feel the deficit. The Infiniti seems quicker and sprightlier in the corners, though the interior is less posh. The Lexus was fitted with a nav system as well as heated and ventilated seats. Perhaps Infiniti will offer a more extensive list of luxury features in the future.
The Bottom Line
At less than $32,000, the G25 is a good deal. It undercuts many of its competitors - including Lexus - by more than $1000. And though the 2.5-liter V6 requires premium fuel, Infiniti says it will deliver 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg highway. If fuel prices spike again, a sport sedan that can approach 30 mpg will sound even more appealing.