2004 INFINITI I35 NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2004 Infiniti I35?
The 2004 Infiniti I35 is carried over this year, but with more standard equipment than before. All I35s come with a power sunroof and sunshades for the rear and side windows. Desert Platinum is a new exterior color.

Advantages of the 2004 Infiniti I35:

• More passenger space than your usual entry-level luxury sedan
• Plenty of thrust, courtesy of the excellent V6 engine
• Deserved reputation for quality and durability

Objections to the 2004 Infiniti I35:

• Interior materials not as upscale as many competitors
• Outdated platform with beam axle rear suspension
• Outclassed by its Nissan Maxima cousin

Editor's Advice:
The 2004 Infiniti I35 is positioned as the yin to the Infiniti G35’s yang. Not everyone wants, or needs, a sports sedan, so the I35’s sedate personality contrasts sharply with the G35’s BMW-beater aura. The Infiniti I35 is a sensible choice with a strong reliability record and all the luxury amenities one expects from an entry-level luxury car, but it can ride rather harshly over broken pavement and the interior materials seem a bit downscale for a vehicle in this price range. The powerful 3.5-liter V6 goes a long way toward injecting some fun into the driving experience, but its archaic beam rear axle and dated platform might leave you wanting for more sophisticated engineering. Based on the previous-generation Nissan Maxima, the Infiniti I35 has been criticized for being too similar to its plain-Jane cousin at the premium price it commands. Now that a more powerful, more modern, more luxurious, completely redesigned Maxima is on sale, we question the wisdom of paying the premium for the Infiniti I35. If you still want one, know that this is the last year that the I35 will be available.