Infiniti G

Infiniti's 2007 update of the G series cars significantly improved the interior accommodations and the control layout. This, along with several other attributes made it our top-rated car in the class. A larger 3.7-liter V6 was added to the coupe for 2008, and the sedan a year later, when a seven-speed automatic transmission was also made standard. We didn't think much of the convertible version that arrived in 2009. A less-costly G25, with a 2.5-liter V6 introduced in 2011, sacrifices a little acceleration, but gets much better fuel economy. The G25 was discontinued in 2013.

The original G35 was Infiniti's first real try at a mid-size rear-drive luxury/sport sedan. The car has a well-controlled ride, a quiet and nicely finished cabin, and a strong 3.5-liter V6. The G35 was also one of the few four-door luxury sedans of its time to offer a six-speed manual transmission, as well as an exceptionally smooth automatic. Routine handling was agile, but emergency handling could be tricky. The all-wheel-drive version, known as the G35X, is also very nice -- but more fuel-thirsty.