Ask the Car People.SM


Lexus ES 350 vs. Infiniti G37 Journey Sedan

17 messages,  Last post on Apr 13, 2013 at 6:29 AM

You are in the Lexus ES Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Infiniti G37, Lexus ES 350, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 2

#1 of 17 ES 350 vs. Infiniti G37 Journey Sedan by richardnva

Feb 24, 2009 (12:27 pm)

Is anyone considering the 2009 Infiniti G37 Journey Sedan in comparison to the 09 Lexus ES350? Aside from the differences in luxury-plush focus (Lexus) vs. luxury sport/technology (Infiniti), what are the notable differences you're seeing when you compare these two cars? The Infiniti definitely seems to be geared more as a "drivers" car, but both are comparable in size and some amenities. What pushes one above the other to you for a family sedan?

#2 of 17 Re: ES 350 vs. Infiniti G37 Journey Sedan [richardnva] by agnosto

Feb 24, 2009 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: richardnva (Feb 24, 2009 12:27 pm)
I drove both and found the Lexus ES 350 nice but too slow compared to G37 Sedan which is nicer and a lot faster... If I had to choose, I would probably choose the G37 as I like its exterior design better... I wish G37 had a little more torque maybe closer to 300-lb-ft... but then again, the torque increase might sacrifice better MPG...

#3 of 17 by addams

Feb 26, 2009 (7:59 am)

ES- A nicer ride. Less road noise. A bit more boring to drive. FWD. A somewhat fast car but not vs the G37. ES is a bit more room.

#4 of 17 Re: ES 350 vs. Infiniti G37 Journey Sedan [richardnva] by a1s1a1

Feb 26, 2009 (11:27 am)

Replying to: richardnva (Feb 24, 2009 12:27 pm)
The quick answer is that ES 350 is a family sedan while G37 is a sports sedan. Completely different cars depending on what "you" are looking for.
 
Lexus ES 350........PROS....Apart from Lexus name and presence because of its bigger size, ...smooth ride, impeccable fit and finish, bigger inside, fast enough
Cons.....FWD, no built in XM with real time traffic information, I pod plus XM cannot be operated "together" through steering wheel, no splash guards
 
G37..Pros....faster, XM and I pod integeration through steering wheel, painted splash guards, available in all wheel drive
Cons......OK fit and finish, cramped interior, noisy and choppy ride
 
I test drove back to back, both of these cars plus audi A6,A5 and 2009 redesigned Acura TL. I ended up purchasing ES 350 with UL package, Mark Levinson Audio and panoramic glass roof, etc. Delivery tomorrow.
 
My previous cars, 2003 Infiniti I35. I also have a 2004 Acura TL Navi. Just like many I have aged over the years and now my preference is smooth, capable car which I found in ES 350. Though our family work horse is our Van Honda Odyssey yet I sometime end up picking our kids from school in my car. I found that the G37 back seats are somewhat more cramped than TL.
 
My final 2 cents, you are 30 something, you are single or married without kids, you like to race from traffic light to traffic light and like to drive aggressively than go for the G37. However, if you are 40 something, you are married and have kids, who likes to travel 1st class and have a few more thousand dollars to spare then go for the Lexus ES 350
 
'hope it helps, Good Luck!

#5 of 17 Re: ES 350 vs. Infiniti G37 Journey Sedan [richardnva] by wwest

Feb 28, 2009 (3:37 pm)

Replying to: richardnva (Feb 24, 2009 12:27 pm)
FWD such as the ES350, along with F/awd vehicles, on a slick roadbed can get away from you unbelievably rapidly. Once it begins to plow/understear you best have practiced quickly appying the e-brake judiciously and shifting into neutral.
 
The day is soon coming, hopefully, that when VSC detects this situation it will assume control of the throttle and QUICKLY move the engine RPM to the "sweet spot", no engine drive torque nor engine compression braking.
 
In the meantime...PRACTICE.

#6 of 17 Re: ES 350 vs. Infiniti G37 Journey Sedan [a1s1a1] by richardnva

Feb 28, 2009 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: a1s1a1 (Feb 26, 2009 11:27 am)
a1s1a1, Thanks for the reply. Looks like you and I have a lot in common when it comes to cars. I currently drive an 05 Acura TL w/Navi and my wife also has a Honda Odyssey. Before the TL I had an A6 (which I loved and miss dearly). I've been happy with the TL, but would like to try something new for the next car, although I would go back into an Audi if they weren't so expensive. I test drove the A4 naively hoping I would be happy with the new larger redesigned A4. The base 2.0 liter engine is a turbo and I felt really underpowered for that car. The 3.2 liter pushes you way over $40k which imho is way to much for a car the size of the A4. I really enjoyed my test drive of both the ES and the G37. You're right, the G37 is definitely sportier and not something that I really need. I enjoy the plushness of the ES and the slightly larger size, but I'm struggling with the concept of paying a very high premium for a blinged out Camry (which is what my wife drove before the Odyssey). Why not just get the top end Camry or Nissan Maxima for that matter. The new Maxima looks amazing. Decisions, decisions. I'm curious as to why you didn't pick the new TL?

#7 of 17 by addams

Feb 28, 2009 (5:18 pm)

Someone took an ugly stick to the new TL, RL and TSX? Not a very good looking front end to it imo of course.

#8 of 17 Re: ES 350 vs. Infiniti G37 Journey Sedan [richardnva] by gluck

Mar 18, 2009 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: richardnva (Feb 24, 2009 12:27 pm)
I had the same confusion. Actually both cars belong to different classes. If you are sportier you will like the G. I really love the G for its design and speed but when it came down to the practicality I chose the ES350. ES is roomier, a notch better in luxury, roomy, will retain its value, and has a way better mileage than G35/37. Surprisingly ES is a fast car, I never thought it would be that good. If you like driving fast, don't care about the room, and can afford the gas go for the G. Also I would not get the G brand new. I saw a bunch of 2008's with 16K on it for $22K or so.

#9 of 17 Re: ES 350 vs. Infiniti G37 Journey Sedan [gluck] by sjaieve

Mar 18, 2009 (5:39 pm)

Replying to: gluck (Mar 18, 2009 12:10 pm)
I just saw a couple of ES350s with around 20k miles for 24k, use auto trader to see what i mean. Thats a steep drop for the price of an ES given it costs more than a G.
 
Resale values today are a function of the market, its just bad given the discounts on new cars are steep. Historically Infiniti has held value very well, winning an award to that extent for that matter.
 
I agree that ES is roomier, better interior material and better gas mileage.
 
however you cant say if you can afford the gas get the Infiniti since you pay less to buy the car in the first place. I believe that its a practical car, you can drive it as slowly as you can with an ES if you want. Its still a roomy car in its class, probably the roomiest (remember the ES is not in its class) and is available with manual transmission and AWD. If you are satisified with the ESs room you will be satisified with the G's room
 
Sorry but there is just a lot of inaccuracies in this thread that I needed to point out. Both are good cars

#10 of 17 Re: ES 350 vs. Infiniti G37 Journey Sedan [a1s1a1] by montreid8888

May 29, 2009 (10:13 pm)

Replying to: a1s1a1 (Feb 26, 2009 11:27 am)
Completely agree with a1s1a1.
 
The G37 beat out the ES350 for us because we are in our mid 30s. with two kids in early elementary school. We just turned in the A4 (too small) for the nice G37 because they kept kicking our seats....we just weren't ready for the ES350, definitely gave a good run, but will probably win the next round.
 
The TL looks awful. My wife said....is that a buick? Literally...Someone mentioned the Maxima. Ironically, if you optioned the Tech and Nav like we did...current promos can the G37 cheaper than the Maxima. Crazy, but true.
 
We still have our '04 Odyssey doing the majority of the workload as usual. Great Van and still keeps up with most cars.
 
So yeah: 30s: G37; zoom zoom. a little less space;
   40s: ES350: better dino ride and finishes (especially the wood makes it NICE). acceleration is less, but there when needed.

Messages Page 1 of 2

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement