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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  Great Car - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By MSU7151 - September 26 - 4:06 am

  I leased a new 2010 G37 convertible when my Mercedes Benz CLK350 lease ran out. With the Infiniti, its like night and day. The G37 is so much faster, handles better and even looks classier, inside and out, than the Mercedes. So far, both Infiniti and the dealer have been great. Responsive and proactive with notices and keeping in touch.

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  Great value - 2004 Infiniti Q45
  By car buff two - September 25 - 10:40 am

  Car is absolutely beautiful inside, maybe the best of the luxury cars. Very smooth power, sure-footed, and full of extras.

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  wow - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By yankee fox - September 25 - 10:00 am

  I have had FWD since my 74 Audi Fox, but when I drove the G35 I loved it. Great throttle response. No lag like my Turbo Saab. What a great value for the money. This is my 2nd Infiniti and the dealer service is great. Cant wait to take it on some windy roads. I passed on an A6 to buy this car.

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  Japanese BMW - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Dasher2143 - September 23 - 11:06 am

  Ive owned three BMWs - two 3-series and a 5-series - and drive hard; my 5-series had the Dinan Stage 2 kit in it. Got tired of maintaining BMWs. Wish I had done it two cars ago. Infiniti has tons of power, handling is excellent, car is so solid in feel. If you have $50K for a BMW 550i and $3K a year to maintain it, ok, but the G35 is very, very damn close for 40% less money. Lows: Brakes are not quite up to what I am used to. Bose stereo is a disappointment. The suspension is smooth, but not as composed as a BMW over rough pavement. Highs: Power. Engine has a great sound. The design is well thought out. Good back seat space/comfort. Inexpensive maintenance compared to a German car.

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  SUVs Best of the Best....QX56 - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By gabeQX56 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I test have driven the GMC Denali, Toyota Sequoia, & the Cadillac Escalade. We fell in love with the Denali, well at least until we saw the Infiniti QX56. Good thing we waited for the QX56 to come out before purchaing a Denali (we would have been kicking ourselves in the butt). We saw the inside of the QX56, we knew we had to get this vehicle. We test drove the vehicle and we couldnt believe how nice the handling was. It didnt feel like youre driving a HUGE SUV. It felt more like drving a mid-size SUV. I couldnt believe how much power this vehicle has (V8 315hp 5.6 liter). My wife and I LOVE our new QX.

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  Trust me dont do it - 2010 Infiniti QX56
  By Chris - September 21 - 9:36 pm

  Have owned them all. Landcruiser, Suburban, LX 560. Infinti is supposedly great build quality. This could be the worst car I have ever owned. Great features which supports why we bought it but the finish quality is horrific not to mention the ride quality. If i were at it again, sacrifice the captains chairs in the second row and consider a on year old Lexus or land cruiser. Even Cadillac would be better. Inf/Nissan cant build large SUV or trucks to save their lives

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  Infiniti Q50 is the Worst Car - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By nick5465 - September 20 - 9:35 pm

  I have been a long time Infiniti owner, I have owned the G37X, M56 and JX. I bought the Q50 when it first came out and has had these issues: 1. Slow responsiveness of touch screen. 2. GPS loosing signal and going to a blank screen. 3. Electric steering locking while in drive (major safety issue!) 4. Doors locking and not able to get into our out of the car! (major safety issue!) I signed a 39 month lease and I am stuck...hopefully things continue to break so the car can fit into the lemon law and I can get rid and break this lease. Based on these issues, I do not recommend the Infiniti Q50...wait 3 years before buying it.

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  Well kept secret - 2011 Infiniti QX56
  By teamyoung - September 20 - 3:09 pm

  I read all the reviews on how the looks were something you had to get by. The looks are what sets it apart. I like different not cookie cutter SUVs. The ride and quality are great. We put on a lot of miles and also haul a 22ft boat. Works great. The features are easy to use for the most part. The only one that is a pain is the control for the side mirrors. It low and to the drivers left out of sight. Once you know where they are and can do it by feel its ok but my wife has a terrible time with them. I also wish it came with remote start. At SUVs over 60K it should be standard. Other than that its the best large SUV on the market for any price.

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  Awsome I30 - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By Chief Hosa - September 20 - 10:00 am

  A perfect 10!

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  Great Value! - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By dangen - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I have had the car for a month and love everything about it. The style and what you get for the money cannot be beat by any other make. Great power, handling, and comfort.