2012 Infiniti G37 Convertible Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Infiniti G37 Convertible review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 G37 Convertible, and includes Infiniti G37 Convertible safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The Infiniti G37 Convertible is equipped with a three-piece hardtop that opens to let the sunshine and fresh air in on beautiful days, or seals tight to protect against the elements on lousy days, all at the touch of a button. The G37 Convertible competes with other sport/luxury convertibles like the Audi A5, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS C, and Volvo C70.

The only changes for the 2012 Infiniti G37 Convertible are the loss of the Limited Edition trim level, and that you’ll now find a real spare tire in the trunk, which replaces the repair kit that you would’ve found in previous years.

Two trim levels are offered for the 2012 Infiniti G37 Convertible. The base model is inherently luxurious and coddles you with leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, an adaptive dual-zone automatic climate control designed just for the convertible model, keyless push-button ignition, Bluetooth connectivity and, of course, that cool power retractable hardtop. Tunes flow from the six-speaker stereo with satellite radio, iPod compatibility, and an auxiliary audio jack, and a backup camera enhances rear visibility. The standard G37 Convertible also includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and Xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps.

Driving enthusiasts will want to check out the Sport trim level, which comes with a six-speed manual transmission, 19-inch wheels with sporty tires, enhanced drivetrain components for sharper handling, heavily bolstered power front seats with 12-way driver adjustment, revised front styling and a voice-activated navigation system with real time traffic and weather reports. Infiniti assumes that drivers of the Sport trim level are also audiophiles, and so the stereo system is upgraded with 13 Bose speakers designed specifically for acoustic performance with the G37 Convertible’s top dropped, Bluetooth streaming audio capability, and a 9GB hard drive upon which you can store your tunes.

If you want a G37 Convertible with an automatic transmission, but you want to get the goodies that are included on the Sport model, Infiniti accommodates you with a number of option packages. You’ll start with the Premium Package, which adds the enhanced Bose stereo, climate-controlled front seats, reversing sensors, and other features. To this you can add a Navigation Package with traffic and weather information. If you want the Sport model’s greater athleticism combined with the convenience of an automatic, you can add a Sport Package to your base G37 Convertible, or you can just get the 19-inch wheels as a separate option. Finally you can add the Technology Package, which includes an advanced climate control system with a Plasmacluster air filter, an intelligent cruise control system, and a preview braking system with pre-crash seatbelts, but only if you have paid for all of the above packages, and you’ve added Maple wood trim for the interior. Because only those vehicles with wood trim deserve preview braking, don’t you know.

Providing motivation for the rear-wheel-drive G37 Convertible is a 325-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 matched to a seven-speed automatic transmission in standard trim, or a six-speed manual gearbox in the Sport model.

Many hard-core performance buffs may insist on rowing their own gears but we’re very impressed with the automatic transmission because of its Adaptive Shift Control technology, Drive Sport mode, and Downshift Rev Matching feature, which automatically matches engine revs for smoother downshifts.

Plus, the automatic models get better gas mileage. With the manual gearbox, the G37 Convertible is rated to get 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway while the automatic provides 17-city/25-highway. Premium fuel is required.

The Infiniti G37 Convertible is equipped with four-wheel ventilated-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, traction and stability control, a rearview camera, and six airbags.

Wait a minute. Six airbags? That’s right. In addition to dual frontal-impact airbags that deploy from the dashboard and side-impact airbags that deploy from the sides of the front seats, the Infiniti G37 Convertible includes side curtain airbags that inflate upward from the front door panels to protect front seat occupants. Additionally, should sensors detect an imminent rollover accident, rear roll bars automatically pop up to tilt the odds of survival in your favor.

You can also equip the G37 Convertible with a Technology Package that includes intelligent cruise control and a preview braking system with pre-crash seatbelts. Preview braking automatically pressurizes the braking system for full braking power when close rates indicate that an emergency stop might be necessary, while the pre-crash seatbelts automatically cinch tighter under certain circumstances in order to prepare front seat occupants for possible impact. A reverse sensing system is also available.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell how the G37 Convertible protects occupants in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not evaluated the G Convertible for crash safety. Tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) apply only to the G37 Sedan.

Both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates predict that the Infiniti G37 will provide better than average reliability over time.

In less than 30 seconds, the 2012 Infiniti G37 Convertible transforms from a sleek coupe into a sun-filled drop top.

Thanks to its power retractable hardtop, this version of the G37 gives you the cozy security and quiet of a fixed roof coupe with the devil-may-care, wind-in-the-hair driving experience of a convertible. Still, performance buffs may take issue with the two-ton-plus G37 Convertible’s massive 500-pound increase in weight over the svelte G37 Coupe.

At least the tonnage is evenly distributed between the front and rear wheels. Standard models have a 52/48 front-to-rear weight distribution, while Sport models improve on that with a 51/49 front-to-rear ratio.

The G37 Convertible’s trunk measures a scant 10.3 cubic-feet of cargo space. And that’s with the top raised. Fold the top into the trunk and you’re left with a smidge less than two cubic-feet of cargo room, or about as much as your kid’s backpack.

Life can be sweet when you’re choosing a vehicle from the luxury convertible class, because they combine sex appeal, performance and hedonistic accoutrements in equal measure. The German-built models tend to possess a greater degree of sophistication, while those hailing from Japan give you greater value and better reliability scores. If the latter appeals to you, the 2012 Infiniti G37 Convertible is a fine choice.

By Liz Kim