Test drove a G25x today.

[OriginalWheelman]

I had a bit of spare time and I'm looking to replace the Q so I stopped in and took a look at Infiniti today. I hadn't heard about the G25 that I could remember, and I was interested to see how the G sedan drove with the smaller power plant.

The base G25 lists for $31,900, with is just short of $4,000 less than the G37. Both cars are well equipped with all the usual Infiniti goodies. The chassis and interior are the same as far as I could tell from casual observation. The handling on the cars is near Identical, with the G25 feeling just the slightest bit lighter in the front. The significant different is the power. The 2.5l V6 in the G25 produces and advertized 218hp, compared to 328hp in the G37. The 110 less horsepower is obviously noticeable. The G25 utilizes the same dual inlet with variable intake manifold as the G37, which makes for a very quick revving engine. The lack of power was nicely augmented by the standard 7spd automatic transmission.

What is frustrating is the G25 does NOT come with an option for a manual. Considering that fuel savings is the most likely reason one would opt for the G25 over the G37, I find this a bit odd. Furthermore, the actual MPG numbers are very close, off by only few MPG, so this smaller engined version seems even more confusing. The most noticeable thing about driving the G25 was the lack of torque. The transmission makes up for some of the lack of power, but I can't help but feel I would like a bit more. When rolling and subjected to sudden heavy throttle the transmission was quick to pick the correct gear, however on a "drag start" I felt the transmission wanted to hang on to 1st gear a little too long.

In conclusion, the G25 is an adequate car, but I feel like it is lacking the zest that makes an Infiniti.

[Amays U G37S]

8k redline is always the smex

Price and performance, I would opt for a 37

[MinisterofDOOM]

with the G25 feeling just the slightest bit lighter in the front.

Not sure why it would feel any lighter, considering that the VQ25HR and VQ37VHR only differ in displacement and valvetrain design.

What is frustrating is the G25 does NOT come with an option for a manual. Considering that fuel savings is the most likely reason one would opt for the G25 over the G37, I find this a bit odd. Furthermore, the actual MPG numbers are very close, off by only few MPG, so this smaller engined version seems even more confusing.

I agree it's stupid that there's no manual option, especially when even LEXUS offers one. Fuel economy, however, is not a part of this picture. The point of a G25 is not better fuel economy. The point is a lower MSRP and getting the most car for the least money. It starts to make sense once you look at Lexus IS pricing.

G25: $31,900
IS250: $32,645
G25x: $34,900
IS250 AWD: $36,275

G37: $35,000
IS350: $39,070
G37x: $37,400
IS350 AWD: $41,530

The G37 was already priced closer to the IS250 than the IS350, making it more appealing pricewise. But now Infiniti's managed to undercut the IS250's pricing as well. Lexus sells a LOT more IS250s than IS350s (five times as many), and any sales Infiniti can snipe from that lower end are beneficial. I don't expect to see the G25 outsell the G37 (not even a little, let alone 5:1 as with the IS) but it does add more options for buyers in that segment.

I had actually hoped Infiniti would do a little better with the G25's pricing. $740 difference isn't that big, especially compared to the $4k+ variance between the bigger G and IS. $30k would have been a nice target, but $28 for a base manual G25 would sell like CRAZY.

[OriginalWheelman]

Not sure why it would feel any lighter, considering that the VQ25HR and VQ37VHR only differ in displacement and valvetrain design.

Yeah I'm not sure either. The difference was so small I almost didn't mention it, and It might just be the particular 2 cars that I drove. I'm also comparing to to the memory of driving the G37 a few months ago, so my perception may have been skewed.

I agree it's stupid that there's no manual option, especially when even LEXUS offers one. Fuel economy, however, is not a part of this picture. The point of a G25 is not better fuel economy. The point is a lower MSRP and getting the most car for the least money. It starts to make sense once you look at Lexus IS pricing.

G25: $31,900
IS250: $32,645
G25x: $34,900
IS250 AWD: $36,275

G37: $35,000
IS350: $39,070
G37x: $37,400
IS350 AWD: $41,530

The G37 was already priced closer to the IS250 than the IS350, making it more appealing pricewise. But now Infiniti's managed to undercut the IS250's pricing as well. Lexus sells a LOT more IS250s than IS350s (five times as many), and any sales Infiniti can snipe from that lower end are beneficial. I don't expect to see the G25 outsell the G37 (not even a little, let alone 5:1 as with the IS) but it does add more options for buyers in that segment.

I had actually hoped Infiniti would do a little better with the G25's pricing. $740 difference isn't that big, especially compared to the $4k+ variance between the bigger G and IS. $30k would have been a nice target, but $28 for a base manual G25 would sell like CRAZY.

I didn't think $4k would make that big a difference in sales, but I can see your point. This is probably why i was so confused. From purely driving them (I admit I did no research as to the whys of price point and etc) I couldn't really see why they would make the G25. I assumed it was the fuel crunch, which made no sense given the similar mileage. After driving them, I would much, much rather have the G37, even if I have to pay $4k more for it. I agree that if the price was $28k I would likely opt for the G25 over the G37, and if the price was $30k, it would be a much tougher decision.

[Jookmasta]

not gonna lie, i'm not a fan of the g25. save up the extra money and just splurge on a g37. i can see why they decided to implement it into their line, but there's a night and day difference between the two. the disparity makes the g37 feel like it has 200 more horsepower than the g25. as for the IS, the price of it only begins to become absurd with the IS350. if infiniti wants to steal the IS customers, they are going to need to undercut the IS250 pricing just as much as they are doing versus the IS350.