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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  Everyone else, just pull over.... - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By tqsurw - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I drive stick shifts, period. After testing a range of European sticks, and liking best the Audi S4 but despising the steep prices of the lot. On a whim, I cruised by Infiniti in my I30 after another test. Heck, might as well take the G35 for a spin, though the sorry thing--I thought--offered no manual option. If I could be typing this from my G I would, because its that good. The five-speed tiptronic thrills this stick-meister. The shift from 3rd to 4th will lose any 4-speed auto out there, regardless of engine size. The G WILL propel you to 140mph in a half- mile and beat (if you can drive) any comers, from Beamers to V8s at the light. With grace.

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  Loving it ! - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By D Cornellier - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I love this car ! This is not the first new car Ive ever purchased, but so far, it is my favorite.

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  I love the drive - 1998 Infiniti Q45
  By bulaboy - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This car drives nice. The wind noise is a little loud, but the drive is wonderful. I have the Q45t model, and the suspension is unbelieveable, if you can find one used, the pricing is very inexpensive.

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  They think its expensive - 2002 Infiniti G20
  By marlam - September 6 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car for my daughter last year during her Senior year at high school. She loves it. She went to college and had to leave it behind and now I love it. Ours is limited edition Maui Blue and its too bad they discontinued that color or maybe not for us since we havent seen another in our town. We get more inquiries about where we got that color. It drives great, no problems in the year plus weve owned it. A little more HP would be nice, but its very comfortable and fun to drive. All of my daughters friends are convinced its an expensive $30K car, not.

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  Excellent choice - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By mjlund3@comcast.net - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is fabulous! Total affordability and luxurious too! We get many compliments on the intereior design and comfortability. The only negative is that it looks like the Maxima!

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  Permanent Grin - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By atlthinker - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Who can pass up the beautiful, contemporary styling of this car?!?! Now, add to that the superb perfomance of the 260HP VQ engine and the incredible handling of this vehicle and Ive gotten everthing Ive wanted in a car! I cant say enough about how this car moves down the road with such aplomb! And, you will be amazed at the number of people who stop to ask you about your car, so be ready!

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  No nonsense sports sedan - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By ppnff - September 5 - 2:36 am

  Traded in a 2003 Honda Accord for this vehicle, looking for better rear wheel drive handling and ability to carry the kids around. Exhaust tone is great, subtle on freeways, but opens up to let everyone knows its presences. Simple interior layout and design, and none of the out-of-control electonic gizmos (except it does have Bluetooth), gorgeous exterior design. G35s price point makes other rear wheel drive vehicle look like price divas. Love the car!

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  Surplus of horsepower - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By md - September 4 - 10:10 am

  I needed something that seats six comfortably. The Sequoia, Escalade and Navigator 3rd row could not compare. This SUV has incredible horsepower (315) and comes to a stop in a hurry. GPS navigation is awesome (makes me feel like getting lost on purpose). The family loves it. The intelligent cruise control, the rear view camera, the memory seats (includes side mirrors and foot pedal adjustments) are great. Heated seats in the driver, passenger and second row a nice touch as well. During the cold weather months the remote start is a pleasure. The nimble handling is almost as impressive as the acceleration (both low and midrange). I would recommend this vehicle in a heartbeat.

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  A TRUE sports sedan - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By KT - September 2 - 4:16 pm

  Ive had my 07 g35 sport automatic for about 3 weeks now. I cannot believe how exciting it is to drive! From a technology and performance standpoint, there is no other car that can touch it in this class. You currently cannot even buy a BMW 3 series (at any price) that comes with as many options as this car straight from the factory. The car is definitely as fast as it looks. If you want fuel economy, look elsewhere. Hopefully you dont think scorching acceleration should offer 30 mpg. Im getting 18 mpg in the city and around 21 mpg on the highway.

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  Great Truck, Or Luxury Car - 2010 Infiniti QX56
  By NJ 2010 QX56 - September 2 - 10:20 am

  This car replaced a Yukon XL 2500 and was chosen because of its ability to tow a 9000 pound trailer, a requirement for us that eliminated many alternatives. In the end, it rides as well and is quieter than our E320 sedan. Interior materials, especially in wheat, are excellent in presentation having both a quality feel and look. Electronics is probably the best out there although not perfect. Handling is like a large car...easy to place. It handles NY/NJ broken roads better than anything...partially thanks to standard 33" tall tires, larger than any SUV other than a Hummer and sister SUV the Nissan Armada. 2010 is its last year, being replaced an Infinti model of the new 2010 Nissan Patrol.