Sword & Surge: 2026 Infiniti Swordfish GT Review

First impressions: a harpoon of style

The Swordfish GT walks—or rather, slices—into the premium sport coupe segment wearing a long, pointed nose, a dorsal-like roofline, and a paint finish Infiniti calls "Abyss Chrome." Up close it reads like someone sketched a swordfish on a napkin and then gave that napkin to an aerodynamicist. The result is showy but intentional: Toyota Tuna levels of novelty this is not. Instead, Infiniti has grafted fish-themed cues to a fundamentally serious performance car.

Powertrain and performance

Under the sharply creased hood sits a 3.2-liter twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and an eight-speed wet-clutch automatic. Peak output is 455 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels with an optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive package that shifts torque front-to-rear when rainy afternoons threaten your grin.

1. 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds (factory claim; our launch-control runs averaged 4.0)
2. Top speed: electronically limited to 186 mph — we hit 182 mph on a controlled runway pass
3. Braking: high-performance Brembo setup, 60-0 mph in 101 ft in our testing

Those numbers sit closer to sports-car territory than novelty-car territory. The mild-hybrid system smooths turbo lag and adds low-end shove, while the gearbox shifts crisply whether you trust the paddles or let the car do the thinking. If anything surprises, it’s how coherent the package feels: balanced, eager, and poetically a little dangerous.

Handling, chassis, and everyday drifts

Infiniti tuned the Swordfish GT for communicative steering and a firm but compliant chassis. The MacPherson front and multi-link rear setup works well with the adaptive dampers: in Comfort mode the car absorbs broken pavement without feeling dumptank-sedate, and in Sport+ it flattens corners with impressive composure.

• Steering: precise and slightly weighted — you can place the nose where you want.
• Body control: excellent for a nearly 3,800 lb coupe with a hefty powertrain up front.
• Ride quality: predictable tradeoff — firm, but not bone-jarring.

Traction management is polite, not pedagogical. Enthusiasts who like a little tail wag will appreciate the rear-biased dynamics. The AWD option improves wet-weather confidence but dulls some of that analog charm.

Interior: fish-themed, not fishy

Inside, Infiniti resists the urge to wallpaper the cabin with scales. Instead you get subtle design nods: a center console contour reminiscent of a pectoral fin, stitch patterns that echo flowing water, and ambient lighting that can be tuned to "Midnight Current" or "Shoreline Amber." Materials are premium — Nappa leather, knurled aluminum controls, and a surprisingly tactile rotary dial for certain menus.

Ergonomics are mostly excellent. The bolsters hold you in spirited driving and the driving position is low and committed. Rear seats are tight; don’t bring adults for long distances unless they enjoy intimate conversations with the back of your head.

Tech, safety, and sound systems

The Swordfish GT ships with Infiniti’s latest infotainment stack: a central 12.3-inch touchscreen and a separate 12.0-inch configurable instrument cluster. The UI is cleaner than previous iterations, though the touch-only climate controls will frustrate those who prefer physical buttons.

• ADAS: adaptive cruise with lane centering, intersection assist, and a well-tuned blind-spot system.
• Audio: a 16-speaker Bose performance system tuned to soundstage like an ocean hall — accurate, roomy, and louder than your neighbor's complaints.

Active safety is robust and unobtrusive. The Swordfish’s sensors tend to help rather than harass, which in modern cars counts as a moral victory.

The fish-smell test (yes, we did it)

As Fishy Cars Journal’s unofficial tradition demands, we perform the sensory integrity check. New cars with aquatic branding sometimes come with an overenthusiastic olfactory identity — we’re looking at you, concept-lounge spritzes. With the Swordfish GT, don’t worry. The cabin smells like new leather, faint citrus from cleaning agents, and possibly the memory of a sea breeze. No actual fish odor. We parked it under a pelican for an hour for authenticity; the beak left a single feather and zero comments.

Fuel economy and running costs

Infiniti claims 22 mpg combined for RWD and 20 mpg combined for AWD. In mixed driving we averaged 21.5 mpg, which is acceptable for the power on offer. Servicing uses common items — turbos, filters, and the like — with expected premium-dealership pricing. Insurance will feel sport-luxury sized on this one; factor that into purchase calculus.

What's clever, what's odd

1. Clever: the integrated aerodynamic flaps that reduce lift at high speeds — they close and you feel a stability flourish.
2. Clever: the mild-hybrid torque fill that makes low-end responses feel linear rather than turbo jerky.
3. Odd: the exterior door handles that retract slightly slower than I’d like — dramatic, but sometimes inconvenient in tight parking.

Verdict: should you buy the Swordfish GT?

If you want a cohesive, performance-first coupe with just enough aquatic theater to be memorable but not gimmicky, the Swordfish GT is a strong contender. It’s fast, well-balanced, and handsome in a sculpted, predatory way. If your priorities are back-seat practicality, the highest fuel economy, or the absolute cheapest luxury, look elsewhere.

For the enthusiast who wants a daily-drivable weekend prowler that smells like a car and not a catch, the 2026 Infiniti Swordfish GT nails the brief.

Final grade: A- — charismatic, technically competent, and refreshingly free of novelty odor.