2011 Infiniti G37 Sedan Review

The 2011 Infiniti G37. Sleek styling, strong performance.

It's always nice to visit an old friend after a long absence and find that the things you liked the most aren't gone, haven't changed.

The Infiniti G37 sedan doesn't come around often enough in the press fleet...2006 (when it was the G35), 2009 and now. Two and a half years between visits. Not only does it never disappoint, it delights.

The '06 was a six-speed manual, but only 280 horsepower. The '09 had 328 horsepower, but there was an automatic (admittedly, a very good, very smooth seven-speed).

This latest visit put the good stuff together...the 328 horsepower 3.7 liter DOHC 24-valve V6, with a six-speed manual. Not only did I get to shift it myself and find the sweet spots in an engine full of them, but the Nissan press fleet people kept the options to exactly one...and a functional one at that: R-Spec high friction brake pads, a bargain at $370.

The fluid lines of the 2011 Infiniti G37 Sedan.

As with so many cars, not selecting options doesn't result in a low-ball version. The $39,450 asking price for the G37 Sedan 6MT (that's the official name for the six-speed manual version) has a huge list of standard equipment, including viscous limited-slip differential, sport-tuned suspension and steering, independent front and rear suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, Dual Flow Path shock absorbers, sport brakes with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear calipers and speed-sensitive power steering.

You're also treated to a rear sonar system, high-intensity discharge bi-functional Xenon healdights, fog lights, LED taillights, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, performance tires, sport headlights, a power moonroof, leather seats (12-way adjustable and heated for the driver, 8-way adjustable and heated for the front passenger), power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, memory seat, outside mirrors and steering wheel, push button start, an AM/FM/SiriusXM Satellite/CD premium Bose audio system with 10-sepakers, a 9.3 gigabyte Music Box hard drive and a USB connection for your portable device.

The 2011 Infiniti G37 Sedan Interior. It looks great even when you're in the seat, instead of looking down through the open sunroof.

The nav system comes standard, too...and includes XM NavTraffic (good) and XM NavWeather (better...a long summer drive with real-time radar in your dashboard can be a life-saver), plus the Zagat Survey restaurant guide. It's also got voice recognition, a rear-view camera, and a 7-inch color display. There's Bluetooth, HomeLink, controls for most of those things on the steering wheel, dual zone climate control and a bunch more (if you really want the full list, click here).

What matters most is this: The bones of this car are so completely and totally right. It is a fast, confident, balanced sport sedan...right on the heels of BMW (a gap it's been narrowing for years) at a lower price. So much of the equipment on the G37 Sedan 6MT enhances that...and (this is not always a given) none of it detracts from it.

A truly great car that breaks the $40,000 barrier only because of the destination charges. That's something to be applauded, bought and driven often.

EPA estimates: 17 city/25 highway.