Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2007 Ford Mustang VS 2007 Infiniti G35 Near Scottsdale, AZ

Both the Mustang and the G35 Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, available front seat side-impact airbags, head airbags, four wheel antilock brakes and traction control.

There are almost 25 times as many Ford dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The engines in the Mustang have a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the G35 Coupe have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

The Mustang GT has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The G35 Coupe doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Mustang second among midsize sporty cars in their 2006 Initial Quality Study. The G35 Coupe isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Mustang GT’s standard 4.6 SOHC V8 produces 7 more horsepower (300 vs. 293) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the G35 Coupe 6 speed’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mustang GT is faster than the Infiniti G35 Coupe (manual transmissions tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang gets better fuel mileage than the G35 Coupe:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline. The G35 Coupe requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 25 to 50 cents more per gallon.

For better traction, the Mustang’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the G35 Coupe (235/55R17 vs. 225/45R18).

The Mustang has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The G35 Coupe’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 2 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G35 Coupe.

The Mustang Coupe handles at .87 G’s, while the G35 Coupe pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability the Mustang’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the G35 Coupe’s (33.4 vs. 37.4 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the Mustang Coupe is rated a Mid-size car by the EPA, while the G35 Coupe is rated a Subcompact.

The Mustang Coupe has 11.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the G35 Coupe (97.9 vs. 86.6).

The Mustang Coupe has 1.7 inches more front shoulder room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the G35 Coupe.

The Mustang Coupe has a much larger trunk than the G35 Coupe (12.3 vs. 7.8 cubic feet).

The Mustang Coupe’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The G35 Coupe’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The engine computer on the Mustang disables the starter while the engine is running. The G35 Coupe’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The Mustang’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The G35 Coupe does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang has a lever hand brake in the console, easy to use while keeping both feet free and not impeding entry and exit. The G35 Coupe’s foot pedal parking brake is not handy to use as a hill holding device with a manual transmission.

The Mustang’s front and rear power windows raise and lower automatically with one touch, especially convenient at tollbooths or drive-up windows. Only the front windows of the G35 Coupe work automatically with one touch.

The Mustang’s standard power mirror controls are mounted on the door for easy access. The G35 Coupe’s standard power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.