2013 INFINITI G Review: Prices, Specs, and Photos (2024)

Likes

• Communicative steering
• Excellent handling
• Strong brakes
• Responsive powertrains
• Firm, supportive sport seats

Dislikes

• Excessive road/engine noise for a luxury car
• Lumpy shifts (automatic)
• Lack of rear headroom

Buying tip

Keep in mind that no matter which 2013 Infiniti G37 Sedan you opt for, you should consider a set of winter tires.

features & specs

If you're feeling the mid-life crisis itch, the Infiniti G37 Coupe and Convertible are some of the best ways to satisfy that, in a stealthy way. Quite cleverly straddling demographic lines, these models provide the seat-of-the-pants thrills of a bad-boy sports car, only with a lot more social grace. They're a vehicle that practical-minded spouses won't flat-out reject at first glance, yet at the same time the Coupe is athletic enough for track time.

The G37 Coupe is at once both sporty and elegant. It looks mature in the right ways, with a tailored, neat appearance, and manages to carry itself with the stance and proportions of a sports car. That's no mistake. It's built from the same platform as the shorter, more evocative Nissan 370Z, and it's a rare case where there's truly a lot of distinction between the cars. As for the Convertible, it's not just a matter of the different roofline introduced by its retractable hardtop; with a little more voluptuousness, it definitely doesn't get the short end in looks, as drop-tops sometimes do. No matter which version, the cabin keeps pace with the exterior. It's elegant with a dash of daring.

Overall, these models approach the balanced brilliance of the BMW 3-Series, and driving enthusiasts may actually prefer their somewhat sharper edgier feel behind the wheel. A 3.7-liter V-6 engine makes 330 horsepower, and winds enthusiastically up to a 7500-rpm redline. You can't go wrong with either of the transmission choices in the G37 Coupe or Convertible. We'd be satisfied with either the six-speed manual or the seven-speed automatic, though the throttle-blipping, paddle-shifted automatic seems a more natural fit for this Infiniti's mission. Confident rear-drive handling is highlighted by very good steering in the Coupe—though some of us have thought that it's a touch less communicative than that in the G Sedan. And an excellent all-wheel drive system is available, but think of it as bringing more confidence, not necessarily keeping up with the Sno-Cats.

For 2013, Infiniti has introduced a new IPL G Convertible, which joins the IPL G Coupe in offering a 343-horsepower version of the V-6, plus an IPL-tuned exhaust and suspension, unique front fascia and side sills, special IPL sport seats with cooling, and seven-spoke Graphite-finish alloy wheels. Enthusiasts who like what they see in the two-door G models should head right to these IPL cars, as they heighten the performance—albeit with more harshness.

The ride is well damped, and we recommend the standard setup if your daily drive involves choppy pavement surfaces; yes, technically the Sport package gets the most out of its handling potential, but this firmer calibration and the 19-inch alloys bring out choppiness and cab be to the detriment of enjoyment. Interior noise and harshness can be a deal-breaker here—depending on your expectations, of course.

Inside, the 2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe and Convertible invite conflicting impressions; at times they feel like dressed-up sports coupes, while at other times they feel like particularly lean and edgy luxury cars. In truth, they're a little bit of both. With their low seating position, deeply bolstered front seats, hooded gauges, and high center console, the two-door 2013 G37 models have a cozy but tight driving space—and if it weren't for the expensive-feeling wood and aluminum trims, it would feel as if you were in a pure-bred sports car. In back, there are just two small buckets—even smaller in Convertible models—and in either case these are barely passable for small children. With the top up in the Convertible, think of these more as an auxiliary cargo shelf, as headroom becomes extremely limited.

One area that is likely to be fully up to expectations is the feature list on these models. Both include automatic climate control, an intelligent key system, and leather upholstery, while higher trim grades get upgraded audio; a dual-zone climate system; intelligent cruise control; a hard-drive-based navigation system; and four-wheel active steering. Heated-and-cooled seats can also be had, and in Convertibles both the climate control and the available Bose audio system smartly have separate open-top modes. Sport and Premium packages toss in 19-inch wheels, Bluetooth, radar-based cruise control, and adaptive headlights—and the Sport package can be had in combination with all-wheel drive.

2013 INFINITI G Styling

The G37 Coupe is at once both sporty and elegant. It looks mature in the right ways, with a tailored, neat appearance, and manages to carry itself with the stance and proportions of a sports car.

That's no mistake. It's built from the same platform as the shorter, more evocative Nissan 370Z, and it's a rare case where there's truly a lot of distinction between the cars. The G37 has several inches of extra length, going to a real pair of rear seats, and has all sorts of sublime details going toward an upscale appearance. In all, the G Coupe could be seen as either a softer, more understated sports car or a more edgy luxury coupe.

The Convertible looks a bit different, and it's not just a matter of the different roofline introduced by its retractable hardtop. Thinner pillars make the roof itself look larger, while there's a little more oomph to its rear end (where the top resides when it's folded). Overall, these differences, surprisingly, add up to a little more voluptuousness than the Coupe, actually, and it completely avoids the squat, chunky form that affect nearly all retractable hardtops--even the Ferrari California.

No matter which version, the cabin keeps pace with the exterior. It's elegant with a dash of daring. A well-finished co*ckpit, lots of lovely soft-touch materials, rich leather, and a choice of deeply stained rosewood trim or softly brushed aluminum are bound to make you (or your clients) feel like you're in thoroughly upscale ride. At the same time, the low seating position and very low dash, combined with the co*ckpit-like gauge layout, quietly scream that this is a sports car on the sly.

2013 INFINITI G Performance

The 2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe and Convertible ride on some of the same underpinnings as the G Sedan models--as well as the shorter Nissan 370Z. They're a few inches shorter than the Sedans, and that affects the way they handle. Overall, these models approach the balanced brilliance of the BMW 3-Series, and driving enthusiasts may actually prefer their somewhat sharper edgier feel behind the wheel.

In either of these models, a 3.7-liter V-6 engine makes 330 horsepower, and winds up to a 7500-rpm redline. With an aggressive throttle calibration as well as torque and horsepower curves that encourage you to rev it, this engine has infectious enthusiasm. But the down side is that it gets a little coarse in those upper ranges.

You can't go wrong with either of the transmission choices in the G37 Coupe or Convertible. We'd be satisfied with either the six-speed manual or the seven-speed automatic, though the throttle-blipping, paddle-shifted automatic seems a more natural fit for this Infiniti's mission. Expect to get to 60 mph in only about 5.5 seconds with the Coupe—and thanks to the quick-reacting transmissions, it often feels even quicker.

Confident rear-drive handling is highlighted by very good steering in the Coupe—though some of us have thought that it's a touch less communicative than that in the G Sedan. The ride is well damped, and we recommend the standard setup if your daily drive involves choppy pavement surfaces; yes, technically the Sport package gets the most out of its handling potential, but this firmer calibration and the 19-inch alloys bring out choppiness and cab be to the detriment of enjoyment.

All-wheel drive was a rarity in this class when it was first introduced in the G Coupe, but it's increasingly becoming the norm in the luxury set—even among two-doors. The AWD model tilizes Infiniti's ATESSA E-TS all-wheel-drive system found on other Infiniti models. It's an excellent system that's proactive and helps maximize stability when cornering; with its low-profile tires, don't expect it to be the kind you'd power through deep snow, but it should add some all-weather confidence.

For 2013, Infiniti has introduced a new IPL G Convertible, which joins the IPL G Coupe in offering a 343-horsepower version of the V-6, plus an IPL-tuned exhaust and suspension, unique front fascia and side sills, special IPL sport seats with cooling, and seven-spoke Graphite-finish alloy wheels. Enthusiasts who like what they see in the two-door G models should head right to these IPL cars, as they heighten the performance—albeit with more harshness.

2013 INFINITI G Comfort & Quality

Inside, the 2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe and Convertible invite conflicting impressions; at times they feel like dressed-up sports coupes, while at other times they feel like particularly lean and edgy luxury cars. In truth, they're a little bit of both. With their low seating position, deeply bolstered front seats, hooded gauges, and high center console, the two-door 2013 G37 models have a cozy but tight driving space—and if it weren't for the expensive-feeling wood and aluminum trims, it would feel as if you were in a pure-bred sports car.

There are two sets of seats on offer in these models, and we prefer the available sport seats for their wider range of adjustability and more snug bolsters. The low seating position does frees up the headroom for taller drivers, although it may leave shorter pilots with outward visibility issues. In back, there are just two small buckets—even smaller in Convertible models—and in either case these are barely passable for small children. With the top up in the Convertible, think of these more as an auxiliary cargo shelf, as headroom becomes extremely limited.

You might just end up stashing some of your stuff in the back seat of the Coupe, too, as In either case trunk space is quite small—think a roller bag and a backpack.

The Infiniti G37 Sedans tend to be quite noisy inside, and a little more jittery in ride quality than most other luxury-brand models in this class. The same holds true for the G37 Coupe and Convertible. Ride quality and noise—considering all the road coarseness that makes its way into the cabin—are going to be turnoffs to some luxury-car shoppers, while those who have owned stiff performance cars before won't think there's anything out of the ordinary. Anyone who's hesitant about the road noise should drive both the base setup and models with the available 19-inch wheels and sport suspension, as the latter does add even more interior harshness.

2013 INFINITI G Safety

The Infiniti G37 Coupe and Convertible haven't been crash-tested by either of the two U.S. safety agencies that do so, although the equipment sets for both of these cars are assuring.

In addition to standard dual front airbags, side seat-mounted airbags, curtain airbags (roof-mounted in coupes, door-mounted in convertibles), stability and traction control, and active headrests, you'll find some advanced safety features like adaptive headlights and adaptive cruise control on the options list. There's also a "preview braking" function that uses sensors to predict an impact and applies some brake force to limit impact speeds.

The G37 Convertible comes fitted with twin pop-up roll bars for additional rollover safety.