Driving Impressions

When you're plunking down $40,000 on a new car, you expect an abundance of luxury touches, such as leather seats, walnut trim and a 6-speaker AM/FM/cassette with CD player. However, the powertrain is equally, if not more, important. And here, this sport sedan is ready to deliver. The J30t's 8.3-second 0-to-60 mph performance won't make you the fastest kid on the block, but the 3.0-liter V6 under its hood is powerful and reassuring, especially at highway speeds. With 210 hp and 193 lb.-ft. of torque, you needn't worry about overtaking a semi on a narrow, backwoods blacktop. The V6 also delivers a pleasant engine note, the sort of confidence-building thrum that you normally expect to hear coming from a larger V8. It's a good thing the engine sounds so good, because it helps mask the fact that wind noise is a little louder than one might expect from a car in this price class. The J30 also tends to pass a bit more road noise than one might expect. Don't misunderstand us: Noise levels are extremely low, but in the era of heightened expectations, the best cars in this class have become almost as silent as a recording studio. If you get the J30t, expect a little more ride harshness than you'd find with the base J30. It's a more-than-acceptable trade-off, though, for the J30t's firm and supple ride. Handling is sure and stable, and steering is precise. There's a bit of body roll in hard cornering, but it's by no means objectionable. And braking is sure and straight, even on moderately slick roads. If the J30's price tag shattered your illusions about inexpensive Japanese cars, you may not like the EPA fuel economy numbers, either. The J30 averages just 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. These figures are adequate, but not world-class.

Final Word

The Infiniti J30 is a well-balanced mix of luxury and performance, and if you define its styling as sculpted rather than bulbous, you'll love the way this car draws admiring glances. If you're talking power, performance or features, the J30 is a superb sedan. Regarding the small number of drawbacks: Few buyers are going to care about the J30's mediocre mileage numbers, and unless you're carpooling with four large adults, you won't worry about the rear-seat dimensions. However, the price tag could change your value equation. Once you add on destination charges, dealer options and taxes, you're starting to press into the automotive stratosphere. We'd definitely put the J30 on our shopping list, but if money is a big factor to you - and we'd like to know someone for whom it doesn't matter - then you should at least consider competitors such as the Acura Legend, Saab 9000, Mercedes-Benz E320 and even the new Oldsmobile Aurora.