NEW last year, the Infiniti G25 is the same basic car as the G37, but it has a smaller V-6 and less access to option packages. Sold in rear- or all-wheel drive models, starting prices range from US$33,295 to US$36,295.

The as-tested price is about $5,000 less than a popularly optioned G37, which is a credible sport sedan that pushes 328 horsepower. It has a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission.

The heart of the G25 is a 218-hp, 2.5-litre V-6 engine with the seven-speed automatic, which saves only 84 pounds. Fuel economy is 20 mpg city and 29 highway, compared to 19/29 for the G37.

For many drivers, the G25 will provide more than adequate performance, at least in the transmission’s sport mode. In standard mode, the seven-speed wants to move quickly through the gears to stretch fuel economy. Moving the shifter to the manual mode sharpens performance just enough to keep the car competitive in the daily commute. The engine can be loud when tromped on for full-power merging or passing.

The real gift from the engineers is the suspension, which is a harmonious setup between spring rates and shock absorbers. The G glides with a luxury attitude and steps smoothly over speed bumps and rough road.

The interior is the big separator between the two models. Without the dress-up elements of the Sport and Navigation packages, the cabin is unspectacular for a company that can provide stunning interior finesse. And the presentation is less luxurious than the European competitors and even the Buick LaCrosse.

The layout is simple and functional, just without the frills. The front seats are full and supportive; they breathe with perforated leather. The cabin is roomy and sightlines good. The trunk is also roomy, but there is only a ski pass-through, not a folding seatback.

“If someone is looking for a less expensive version of the Infiniti G, typically they won’t opt for Navi, so to keep things less complex, we offer the higher-end items only on the G37,” a spokesman said.

But the Journey model is no “stripper.” It has such standard equipment as leather-trimmed seats; intelligent key locking and push-button starting; Bluetooth; eight-way power driver’s seat and four-way power passenger’s seat; rearview camera; six-speaker audio system; 17-inch alloy wheels and high-intensity-discharge xenon headlights.

The Infiniti/Nissan intelligent key system allows easy unlocking and push-button starting.

Locking and unlocking doors takes just a push of the button on the exterior door handle, and the trunk has its own button. There’s no guessing whether the door or trunk actually locked. Some systems’ sensors are vague in the action of locking and unlocking.

The G37 makes up 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the G sales, Infiniti says, which compares to 20 per cent to 30 per cent for the “big-engine” models of the competition, including the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-class.

I liked the G25’s drivability, tight 35.4-foot turning circle and the 29-mpg highway fuel economy. It would be even better if this engine ran on regular unleaded and if Infinity allowed consumers to choose whether they’d like to have high-end options on their mid-price sedan.

— Mark Maynard Creators.com