2001InfinitiG20Infiniti G202001 Infiniti G20 TouringSedanSedanFWDOppama, JapanG20t comes with standard leather and a power sunroof this year. Luxury models can be equipped with leather and a manual transmission simultaneously. And hold on to your hat -- the side marker lights switch from amber lenses to clear.Sharp handling, Infiniti customer service, attractive styling.Weak four-cylinder engine, Sentra-like feel and interior space, fills a niche nobody asked to be filled.Infiniti aims its G20 at the young, affluent 25- to 35-year-old demographic that aspires to own an Audi A4, BMW 3 Series or Lexus IS 300 but can't quite squeeze one of those models into the budget. Essentially a Japan-market Nissan with a chrome grille and an Infiniti badge, G20 promises buyers a stimulating and luxurious experience but has difficulty delivering either in a convincing fashion. Two models are available. Luxury editions provide buyers with goodies like side-impact airbags, fake wood cabin trim, remote keyless entry, Bose audio with 100 watts of power, and the usual battery of power conveniences. Touring models add automatic climate control, a limited-slip differential, fog lights, a rear spoiler, and more aggressive tires. For 2001, G20t, as the Touring model is badged, includes leather seats and a power sunroof. Leather and a sunroof are optional on the G20 Luxury, bundled into a package that also includes automatic climate control. A heated seats package can be added to either model. One neat option unusual for a car in this price range is the Infiniti Communicator (IC) telematics system. Featuring one-touch calling for help in an emergency or to get roadside assistance, IC also helps retrieve your G20 if it's been stolen, monitors fiddling with the car's standard Vehicle Immobilizer System, and can unlock your doors remotely in the event you lock them in the car or lose them. But the IC costs plenty to install, and we're not sure it's worthwhile, despite the fact that the asking price includes a four-year subscription. G20's 145-horsepower, 2.0-liter DOHC engine revs freely and smoothly, but can be deemed spirited only when equipped with a manual transmission. The optional four-speed automatic saps power, emasculating the performance part of the car's equation. Curvy roads are where the G20 shines, thanks to a well-tuned suspension and communicative engine-speed sensitive steering. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS haul the 3,000-pound G20 to a stop assertively. Cabin space is decent for four adults, though rear seat legroom is rather tight. Sturdy assembly is evident throughout, and the dash sports clearly labeled gauges and properly placed controls. Despite the fact that the G20 is an attractive set of well-equipped wheels, its downmarket positioning and overall feel dictate that it cannot compete with the Audis, BMWs and Lexuses in which young up-and-comers are interested. We know that the Infiniti dealer body is respectful and courteous to consumers, but think about it this way: a similarly powered Ford Focus ZTS, Nissan Sentra SE or Mazda Protege ES stickers for as much as $10,000 less than the G20. Is 10 grand worth a couple of nice doodads, a better warranty and getting your butt kissed at the dealership? Furthermore, for the price of a loaded G20t, you can waltz into a Nissan showroom and blast out in a roomier, more powerful Maxima SE. That fact alone is reason enough to forget the G20 even exists. Audi A4Honda AccordSubaru LegacyVolkswagen Jetta460,000670,0004Unlimited7UnlimitedNANANA42 litersInline145 hp @ 6000 rpm136 ft-lbs. @ 4800 rpm177.5 in.66.7 in.55.1 in.2950 lbs.102.4 in.40 in.36.8 in.53.1 in.53.2 in.52.3 in.51.9 in.41.5 in.34.6 in.13.5 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested15.9 gal.24 mpg / 31 mpg23 mpg / 30 mpg382 mi. / 493 mi.366 mi. / 477 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$21,738$24,0957.35%$545N/A3% of the Base MSRPLUXURY MODEL (5M): 2L I4 DOHC SMPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; battery with run down protection; 90 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 4.18 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear non-independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering with engine speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 15.9 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding, rocker panel extensions; monotone paint; aero-composite halogen auto off headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored folding outside mirrors; 15" x 6" silver alloy wheels; P195/65HR15 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan feature, cassette player, single-disc CD player, 6 premium speakers, power retractable diversity antenna; cruisecontrol with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote hatch/trunk release, remote fuel door release; 1 power accessory outlet, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, door ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 8-way adjustment, passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment; 60/40 folding rearbench seat with adjustable headrests, center armrest; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, simulated wood console insert; interior lights include dome light with fade, front reading lights, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, cargo net, cargo light; chrome grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.
TOURING MODEL (5M) (in addition to or instead of LUXURY MODEL (5M) equipment): Viscous limited-slip differential; rear wing spoiler, side impact bars; power sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; P195/60HR15 BSW A/S tires; air conditioning with climate control; garage door opener; driver's seat includes 4-way power adjustment, 8-way adjustment, passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment; leather seats, leatherette door trim insert and leather-wrapped gearshift knob.