Overview & Reviews

Infiniti is an upscale automaker from Japan. Though most of its products are related to those sold by parent company Nissan, Infiniti looks to achieve a premium status by infusing its cars and SUVs with spirited performance and additional luxury content.

The brand was launched for the 1990 model year. Its purpose back then, as it is now, was to create premium vehicles for America that wouldn't have otherwise fit in with Nissan's more mainstream image. This was the same tactic Honda used for the creation of Acura, and Toyota for Lexus. In its first full year, Infiniti started out with two vehicles, the Q45 sedan and the M30 coupe and convertible. The compact, entry-level G20 was introduced soon after.

As the 1990s moved along, Infiniti slowly added more vehicles to its lineup. The Q45 luxury sport sedan found its market. The car's 278-horsepower V8 was class-leading in its day. On top of that, the Q45 offered cutting-edge technology such as an active suspension system. By the late '90s Infiniti had rolled out the QX4, an SUV based on the Pathfinder. The sport-ute's truck platform gave it a leg up in off-road performance relative to competing car-based SUVs.

Although Infiniti's sales grew steadily, the marque still fell short of both Lexus and Acura in terms of popularity. The early 2000s saw Infiniti making a determined effort to sharpen its focus and upgrade its products. But it was the introduction of the entry-level, midsize G35 in 2003 that finally gave Infiniti the boost and identity direction it sorely needed. Based on the same platform underpinning the Nissan 350Z, the G35 coupe and sedan met with immediate sales success. The FX35/FX45 soon followed -- a crossover SUV that provided spirited acceleration and sports-car handling with the utility of a wagon.

Today, Infiniti's lineup has expanded to include the G (now a sedan, coupe and convertible) and FX as well as the midsize M sedan, the EX small crossover SUV, the JX midsize crossover SUV and the QX large SUV. Infiniti has also introduced the M Hybrid sedan, its first hybrid vehicle. No matter the model, shoppers will find Infiniti's latest vehicles to be focused on luxury, sport, quality and value.

User Reviews:

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  2015 QX 60 - 3.5 V6 AWD - 2015 Infiniti QX60
  By Tom - August 25 - 8:20 pm

  We purchased our 2015 QX60 in April of the same year. Despite a few build quality issues, glue on the windshield and off color interior trim pieces, our experience was great. We took a couple of long road trips to see family and the ride was comfortable. Gas mileage has never panned out as advertised, but not horrible either. After a years ownership the gremlins have begun to emerge. Paint is flaking off of the factory (dealership) mud flaps, roof rails pop up on occasions, dirt and water behind the clear door edge guards, and now an annoying squeaks / rattles from the dashboard. My dealer had this car for seven days and added foam insulation to a harness in the dash. About two miles after I leave the dealership, the squeaking is back. I return to the dealership, take the service writer on a road test and he claims he cant hear it. I can turn off my hearing aid and hear it just fine. So far drive ability is fine, but I cant help but wonder whats next. Infiniti needs to evaluate who is putting these cars together, because they are not winning any awards for craftsmanship.

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  RattleSUV - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By RattleSUV - December 25 - 8:16 pm

  The car has had enough rattles for 20 auto. It has been in service at least every month working on the rattle and front wheel rattle. Would never purchase another Infiniti again after this experience.

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  Watch Out - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Watch Out - December 15 - 6:40 pm

  Dont believe all the hype folks. I admit that I was also fooled by the sticker in the window. 19/25 MPG. Never happened!!! It gets more like 14/17 MPG. Had to return it on numerous occasions concerning the transmission slipping, and the car trying to over heating on me, excessive water in the head lamps. I have to take it back today for more work. Great price for all you get but its not worth the headaches in the long run.

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  2003 Q45 Oil Consumption, Defec Brakes - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By 2003 Q45 - November 20 - 4:20 am

  I purchased the Q45 in March 2003 and have 16k miles on it now. It has always been service by Infiniti wihtin the manufacturer specs. When I picked up the car, the front rotors were warped...they cut them. This problem has persisted over the past three years and they simply cut the rotors. Secondly, the car burns over 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles. As everyone else has experienced, Infiniti denies there is a problem, states that burning 1 quart per 1000 miles is normal. If you persist, they will then go through the "consumption test" and will try everything they can EXCEPT FIX THE PROBLEM. It borders on criminal to sell someone a $60K car with these problems and not fix the car.

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  CVT Transmission is this cars downfall - 2013 Infiniti JX
  By rraffel - November 5 - 12:48 pm

  We bought the JX as the family car. Loved the third row, and the fact that we did not have to take the car seat out to get to the third row. Also, even with the seats up, there was a small trunk. The interior room is great, especially in the rear. However, between the terrible CVT transmission, and the poor gas mileage, I doubt I would buy this again. This isnt a performance car by any stretch, but dont want it to be. However, there are times it barely gets out of its own way - this I blame on the transmission as it seems to be constantly hunting for the best "gear". Just makes it uncomfortable to drive. As for gas mileage, we are around 15... far below what we expected.

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  Engine longevity in question - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By donmagargal - October 10 - 8:29 am

  I purchased my infinity in 2007 with 35,000 miles on odometer. I purchased it because it was rated top in all catagories to include engine performance and low incidence of repair. Recently, I have had a severve problem with engine consuming oil (2 qts. per month). I contacted infinity dealer and they told me to replace both valve covers at $250 per cover. It was a 50\50 chance that it would cure the oil copnsumption problem. After $800 in parts and labor, my infinitety continues to cunsume oil. It appears that the only fix for this problem is the purchase of a new engine. The car is now out of warranty to include oringinal warranty and a 3 year extended warranty purchased in 2007. Trapped!

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  Disappointed - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By Frank K. - October 7 - 10:36 pm

  I purchased the Q50 over the BMW because I could get a V-6 for the same price as the the BMW 4-Cyl. turbo. Acceleration is fun but the car does not grip the road like a BMW. The handling is squirrelly Also, the Q50 makes a bizarre ping sound when backing out of a parking space. Ive brought into the dealer 6 times and they could not fix it. They even replaced the steeiring column. Also, the only place to put your phone is in the center console and the the center console is too small for my iPhone 6+. Its a love / hate relationship with my Q50.

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  Disappointed - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By Frank K. - October 7 - 10:36 pm

  I purchased the Q50 over the BMW because I could get a V-6 for the same price as the the BMW 4-Cyl. turbo. Acceleration is fun but the car does not grip the road like a BMW. The handling is squirrelly Also, the Q50 makes a bizarre ping sound when backing out of a parking space. Ive brought into the dealer 6 times and they could not fix it. They even replaced the steeiring column. Also, the only place to put your phone is in the center console and the the center console is too small for my iPhone 6+. Its a love / hate relationship with my Q50.

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  Never again. - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By thunderhexed - September 30 - 5:56 am

  Bought my 2006 laser red coupe used in Summer of 2009. Was my dream car, key word - WAS - until after a few months in. It was a one owner with a clean carfax. Had 31K on it when I bought it. I now have 52K on it and have already had major issues with the car. Tire pressure light keeps tripping and flashing, leather is tearing and showing wear, bose system went out (a $600.00 repair) and dont even get me started on the paint finish. The car only has 51K miles and it looks as if its been sand blasted or towed behind a gravel truck. Dealership is extremely arrogant, lazy and it takes almost up to two weeks just to get in for a simple oil change. Never again! Mercedes here i come...

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  I rented this for a week and went 2000 miles - 2016 Infiniti QX60
  By Steve from the philly burbs - September 23 - 3:01 am

  I had to take a trip for work, in a rental. I was looking for something that was comfortable for the driver, since my feet have issues in alot of cars with not enough legroom and awkward resting spots for my non-driving foot. The interior was sharp, albeit missing basics for an expensive "luxury" car, like blind spot mirrors if not a blind spot warning system. Same with bluetooth, no music streaming although you can connect your phone. No nav system, for such a "luxury" brand, should be a crime. The backup camera monitor was cheesy at best, and made the cheap Toyota RAV4 backup camera monitor look like HDTV. Did it have nice finishes? Yes. Did it look amazing? Yes. I got 25 mpg on average, driving 70-75 mph, for 1000 miles non-stop in one day. And I did it in one day on the way home too. After spending 18 hours in the car, non-stop, you notice stuff. You notice that you are in a luxury car, that is missing basics. The headlights were amazing. The LED daytime lights and fog lights were very sharp. But, it didnt have backup sensors to alert when too close, or even cross traffic detection. For a luxury SUV of this size, Id say that isnt fair. All of that said, handling was most disappointing. It had alot of road drifting, when at the highway speeds over 60 mph....it felt like the steering was jerky, and had to keep on it to keep it under control. It was a newer car with only 5K on the odometer when I left. I came back with over 7K on the odometer, done in two days - two very long non stop days. I noticed a fair amount of vibration - my GPS on the dash mount was shaky and rattling alot. That was annoying. But I was comfortable. And two guys had all their luggage easily fitting into the rear cargo area with loads of room to spare. But I didnt long to drive, my partner at work drove most of the way. He too noticed the challenging drive of this car. It is BIG, and it takes little effort to steer, but wish it was a bit firmer steering. A nice car in many ways, but I felt I could not enjoy the ride as I felt I was always correcting the car to keep it in my lane, thereby minimizing the experience (which I thought would be luxurious vs. tedious) on such a long ride back and forth.