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:

• 

  2005 Infiniti Q45 (A pretty good car) - 2005 Infiniti Q45
  By G - March 2 - 8:26 am

  Has a very solid feel, if you need HP to get up and go, no problem, lots of power, lots of interior toys (a bit cumbersome at first to use). I personally do a bit of hgwy driving and this is a pretty good car to be in. (Great cruise control feature)

• 

  First Impressions of 2005 G35 AWD - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Scottish - March 1 - 8:13 pm

  A great car for the winter. I just logged 150 miles on a snowy highway trip in Upstate NY. The car handled great -- it really sticks to the road. I plan to get snow tires next season (even with the AWD, since AWD drive does nothing to help stop the car on snow and ice) but the factory supplied all seasons did well. The G35X replaced a 99 Passat GLS (V6) -- a great car until suspension problems (with an $1100 repair, recall for same) and other mechanical probles at 60K made me look for something more reliable. I purchased the 2005 G35X in February and hope to be driving it well past 60K. This car is reported to have very high reliability -- better than the Acura TL.

• 

  Utter Disapointment - 2015 Infiniti QX60
  By Stephen L. Grimm - March 1 - 2:07 pm

  Over the last twenty years, I have had forty cars. These range from minivans to Jags, Lexus and Mercedes. The QX60 is bar far the worst vehicle we have ever owned. Our VW Routan minivan, which we traded for this car, was much more comfortable. The primary issue is the seating. While the materials used is satisfactory, the seating is incredibly uncomfortable, particularly on the front passenger seat. Anyone with even very mild back issues will be unable to ride in the car for any length of time. The problem is that test driving it will not allow you to realize the problem. After about forty minutes of driving, however, the problem is more than noticeable. In addition, the rear camera is the worst I have ever seen in any car. It does not provide a clear image. At night, the image is bright and incomprehensible. The only real warning when using the rear camera is the sensor, which does work adequately. In addition, there are multiple rattle is the dash which the dealer has yet to eliminate, which adds to the frustration. Perhaps I have been spoiled by other upper end cars, but this car falls woefully short of what it is portrayed to be. I think many are impressed because of the badge. I now realize the real reason Infiniti gives such a good deal on this car. Ours has only 5,500 miles and we are trying to get out of it, even though we know we will take a financial hit. If you have an urge to buy this car, conquer it. Buy an Acura MDX or Audi Q7 instead. Even an Acadia or Explorer are far superior vehicles. So, too, probably, are Hyundais or Kias.

• 

  Love the Car - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By Kent - March 1 - 12:53 pm

  I really love my I35. I traded in an I30 for the bigger I35 engine and Im glad I did. The automatic transmission is very smooth and efficient. When I need power, the 255 hp. engine kicks in nicely. The only item that would make it more fun to drive would be a manual shift stick. The price difference between a loaded I35 & a loaded Maxima was about $2K. I think the interior & exterior refinements as well as few extra luxury items make it worth the difference.

• 

  Germans do it better - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By Antonio246 - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I am at 5800 miles on my G and cant wait to get rid of it. Worst transmission Ive ever driven. The car lurches forward on downshifts, sometimes it hesitates rendering manual and DS positions useless. Even passengers notice the sloppy shift pattern in automatic. When I took it back to the dealer to repair the tranny he told me "its the way its supposed to shift. Youre not driving a Lexus". Hmm. Do yourself a favor and get a German car or hey, how about a Lexus?

• 

  Ice, Snow, Sleet Cant Stop Me! - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By Lorelei Krieger - March 1 - 9:00 am

  Having lived in Chicago for most of my life, I was thrilled with the promise of milder winters. Memphians love to bragg about their lack of winter-like weather, and I was more than willing to experience this first-hand. Chicago can be brutal. Even so, knowing that owning a powerful Suv equipped to handle the worst road conditions was not necessary here in the sunny south, it was love at first site. My first road trip was to Florida, and she performed beautifully. So what if she never had to prove herself in two feet of snow. Well, God decided to answer some ones prayer for a white Christmas in Memphis. Two days before, it started out with sleety rain that soon turned in

• 

  Best coupe for the money - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By G35 dan - February 28 - 3:16 am

  This is my second G35 Coupe. Performance for a V6 is great. Handling is great. Styling is awesome. Looks a lot more expensive than it is. I do not drive it in winter months so I cannot comment on the winter driving. But during the summer it is my favorite ride. I did a lot of research and comparisons before I bought my first one in 2004. I do not hesitate to recommend this car to anyone looking for a top-notch coupe at a reasonable price.

• 

  Amazing Ride - 2007 Infiniti M45
  By Kris Shanahan - February 27 - 4:40 pm

  This car continues to blow my mind. It is by far the best car I have ever driven. I trade in every 2-3 years, but it is going to be hard to give this car up.

• 

  2008 G35 Sedan - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By Dee - February 25 - 3:03 pm

  I love my New G-Ride, I love all the added up grades! I was shopping around the car market and nothing caught my eye until I drove this car. I love the G35 it has everything I ever wanted in a car. The only thing is gas stinks but who cars we only live once, driving a fast car pay off in California. LOVE It!

• 

  sporty - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By nlare - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Nice car. Very smooth. Short throw 6- speed shifter is a blast to drive. Great cornering. Quiet at highway speeds. Stereo sounds very good.