Test Drove
reviewed by Emily Hansen

Where is Your Mind?

By: Emily Hansen

Test drove: 4/6/2007 to 4/9/2007

Getting regular exercise is near the top of my wish list, and most days my wish pops up right around the time I drop the kids off at school. In reality, however, I find myself prioritizing exercise somewhere between "bring old paint to the household chemical roundup" and "clear dust bunnies from under the fridge." So, when a friend of mine asks me to try a pole-dancing class (as in, 6-inch heels, hip gyrations, and a chrome fixture attached to the ceiling and floor), I am totally pumped. I'm thrilled with the idea of trying something outside my comfort zone. The fitness benefits are obvious (this class kicks my butt), but what is less expected is the boost in self-esteem that comes from moving in such an alluring way. With a wall full of mirrors and a pair of friends I trust, I embrace the curves in my shape and even the less-than-coordinated way my body moves. The personal power is immeasurable and the experience is just plain fun. With practice, I hope to perform... oh, never mind.

The shape of the 2007 Infiniti G35x is also very sensual. I love the curves of the taillights and something about the sweep of the hood reminds me of the sinuous bend at the top of the collarbone, very alluring. OK, so maybe I have spent too much time in front of the mirror practicing my body wave and pole lean, but I really like the way this car looks and the way it makes me feel when I am driving it.

The Infiniti G35 is a speedy little number with rear-wheel drive and an AWD system that is available with the touch of a button when more traction is required. It handles much more like a sports car than a typical sedan. The steering is responsive and the seats embrace me as I accelerate through a cloverleaf entrance onto the highway. The cockpit (don't even go there), is surprisingly comfortable and has real wood accents with a matte finish to them. The look is unexpected and not altogether appealing at first, but it really grows on me. By the end of my test drive, I realize that the warmth of the brushed wood is partially what makes the interior of this car so pleasing.

The climate controls are very simple to use, but the radio controls are not. The jog-dial looks like it should be intuitive, but every time I turn it, I get an unexpected result or no result at all. I have to pull the car off to the road to figure out how to change the radio station to something other than the 6 country music stations preset on my test car (not that there is anything wrong with that; my mood is just a bit more frisky). Soon I am back on the road, listening to the "pole position mix" which was made by the third member of our pole-dancing trio. The Bose "Studio-on-Wheels" does all of the tracks justice, and all is well with the world.

Back in the reality land that I call Momville, I pick the kids up from school and am pleased to find that this car is practical in addition to looking nice. The kids have to fiddle with their seat belts for just a moment to get the male end to click into the receiver (geez, will the imagery ever stop?). As usual, the mini-review team in back help me discover otherwise hidden features. Their favorite for the G35x are the cup holders in the fold-down console that will fit either a juice box or a cup!

After folding the armrest/console down from the center position, the munchkins (she says lovingly) also discover how to operate the latch for the pass-through compartment to the trunk. Presumably, this is a feature. I am sure it is useful for transporting long cargo but in my world, it is a serious annoyance as I have to remind the kids to stop opening and closing it in every drive we take in the car. I also discover that the rear seats do not fold down for access to the trunk. This makes the hole between the two rear seats seem utterly ridiculous since I can only think of a couple of things I would ever stick in there (get your mind out of the gutter): skis or 2-by-4s, neither of which I would want to place in this hot little number.

Clearly playful, the Infiniti G35x seems to sashay down the street and puts a little strut in my step each time I approach the pole ... er ... vehicle. A car that keeps my mind fully engaged in frolic: not too shabby!

*For more information on the Infiniti G35x and its safety features visit Cars.com. For questions or comments regarding this review write to .

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