Best Car Reviews - 2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible

Rate this article Choose 1-5 stars.

Introduction

The 2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible is a four-seat luxury hardtop convertible aimed at drivers who want strong V6 performance, everyday comfort and open-air style in one package. Although the EPA classified it as a subcompact car, it is a substantial rear-wheel-drive grand-tourer with a power-folding three-piece metal roof. Its blend of 325-horsepower performance, standard leather upholstery and premium fuel requirement made it a distinctive alternative to German luxury convertibles.

Design and Exterior Features

The G37 Convertible shares much of its athletic, coupe-like profile with the G37 Coupe, while adding a neatly integrated retractable hardtop. At 183.3 inches long and 72.9 inches wide, it has a low, wide stance, a pronounced grille and flowing body sides. For 2010, Infiniti introduced revised interior details, additional navigation functions, power-folding exterior mirrors and the Graphite Shadow exterior colour. The roof can be lowered in under 30 seconds, transforming the car from a closed grand tourer into an open-air cruiser.

Three-piece power retractable hardtop
Standard 18-inch alloy wheels
Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights and fog lights
Power-folding heated exterior mirrors
Available rear wind deflector and aerodynamic accessories

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is driver-focused, with a flowing dashboard, supportive front bucket seats and standard leather upholstery. Front occupants receive generous room and useful power adjustments, while the rear seats are best reserved for occasional passengers because legroom is tight. Build quality and standard equipment were strong for the period, but the folding roof and structural reinforcements reduce practicality compared with the G37 Coupe. The trunk provides 10.3 cubic feet with the roof raised and becomes much less useful when the roof is stored.

Standard leather-appointed seating and dual-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats
Heated front seats; ventilated front seats available with the Premium Package
Keyless entry and push-button ignition
Available driver memory, power tilt-and-telescoping steering column and rear sonar

Performance and Handling

The automatic 2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible uses a naturally aspirated 3.7-litre V6 with 325 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm. Its seven-speed automatic transmission includes manual shift control and paddle shifters, sending power to the rear wheels. Independent suspension, ventilated disc brakes and a wide track give the car secure road manners, though the approximately 4,077-pound convertible is heavier and less agile than the related coupe. Period testing reported a 0-60 mph time of about 6.0 seconds. Official EPA economy for the automatic convertible is 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined, equivalent to approximately 13.8, 9.4 and 11.8 L/100 km respectively; premium unleaded gasoline is required.

3.7-litre DOHC V6 with 325 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque
Seven-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability
Rear-wheel-drive layout
Four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes
Approximately 6.0-second 0-60 mph performance in period testing

Technology and Connectivity

For its era, the G37 Convertible offered a competitive mix of standard convenience technology and optional premium equipment. Standard equipment included Bluetooth hands-free calling, USB connectivity, satellite-radio capability and a 7-inch colour display. Models equipped with the navigation package added hard-drive navigation, a touchscreen, traffic and weather services where subscriptions were active, Bluetooth audio streaming, DVD-video playback and voice control. Modern smartphone integration was not factory fitted, so buyers expecting Apple CarPlay or Android Auto will need an aftermarket solution.

Standard Bluetooth hands-free phone system and USB input
Standard six-speaker audio system with CD/MP3 capability and satellite-radio capability
Available 13-speaker Bose Open Air audio system with headrest-mounted front speakers
Available hard-drive navigation with touchscreen and voice recognition
Available rear-view monitor and rear sonar system

Safety Features

The 2010 G37 Convertible came with a comprehensive feature set for its time, including front, side and curtain airbags, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and tyre-pressure monitoring. Convertible-specific protection includes reinforced front side members, front pillars and body sills, plus rear pop-up roll bars. No NHTSA or IIHS crash-test rating was published for the 2010 G37 Convertible, so it is more accurate to assess its safety equipment than to assign it an unverified crash score.

Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System with front, side and curtain airbags
Vehicle Dynamic Control stability system and traction control
Four-wheel ABS, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist
Rear pop-up roll bars and reinforced convertible body structure
Tyre-pressure monitoring, front-seat pretensioners and xenon headlights

Pricing and Variants

The 2010 G37 Convertible started at $44,350 in the United States, including destination. The range included the G37 Convertible with the seven-speed automatic and the G37 Convertible Sport 6MT with a six-speed manual transmission; an Anniversary Edition was also offered. Premium, Navigation and Technology packages could push the original price substantially higher. Against a BMW 3 Series Convertible, Audi A5 Cabriolet, Lexus IS C or Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, the Infiniti delivered especially strong standard V6 power and equipment, though its rear-seat and roof-up practicality were not class-leading.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Strong, responsive naturally aspirated V6 performance
Attractive retractable-hardtop design with coupe-like roof-up refinement
Well-equipped cabin with standard leather and keyless ignition
Rear-wheel drive and balanced chassis give it genuine sporting character
Available Bose Open Air audio system is thoughtfully designed for roof-up and roof-down use

Cons

Premium gasoline requirement and modest fuel economy
Rear seats are cramped for adults
Limited luggage space, especially with the roof folded
Convertible weight reduces sharpness compared with the coupe
Complex hardtop mechanisms can be expensive to diagnose and repair

Maintenance and Common Issues

RepairPal estimates average annual repair and maintenance costs for the Infiniti G37 line at about $540, but this is not a convertible-specific guarantee and roof repairs can raise ownership costs sharply. A careful pre-purchase inspection should include repeated roof operation, inspection of seals and drains, a check for warning lights and verification of oil pressure and service history. Common owner-reported concerns for this model or generation include retractable-top hydraulic, motor, sensor or flap-gear faults; roof weatherstrip leaks; low-battery or electrical conditions that interrupt roof operation; sticky or cracked dashboards; and oil-gallery-gasket problems on earlier VQ37VHR engines that can contribute to low oil pressure. Catalytic-converter wear is also reported on higher-mileage G37s and deserves inspection.

Rating

Overall rating: 7.8/10. Design: 8.5/10; comfort: 7.5/10; performance: 8.5/10; technology: 7.0/10; safety: 7.5/10. The G37 Convertible remains appealing because its engine and design still feel special, but its age, fuel use and complex roof require a more cautious ownership decision than the score alone suggests.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly centres on the satisfying V6, elegant hardtop design and strong value on the used market. Enthusiasm is tempered by practical concerns: the rear seats and trunk are small, the factory infotainment is dated, and deferred roof maintenance can become costly. Well-maintained examples with a fully functioning roof tend to produce much more positive experiences than neglected cars.

Owners frequently enjoy the V6 sound, acceleration and rear-wheel-drive character
The car is often praised for looking convincing both as a coupe and as a convertible
Front-seat comfort and available Bose audio are regular positives
Many owners advise testing the roof several times before purchase and maintaining its seals
Common cautions include fuel costs, small rear seats and potentially high specialist repair bills

Best Cars in This Category

2010 BMW 328i Convertible
2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet
2010 Lexus IS 350 C
2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet
2010 Volvo C70

Summary

The 2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible is best suited to drivers seeking a stylish used luxury convertible with a powerful naturally aspirated V6 and a proper rear-wheel-drive feel. It offers more performance than many contemporary rivals and remains handsome with the roof raised or lowered. Its value depends heavily on condition: a documented, carefully inspected example with a healthy hardtop system can be a rewarding grand-tourer, while a neglected one can turn its appealing purchase price into an expensive project.