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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  Good Riddance - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Good Riddance! - November 16 - 10:40 pm

  Ive owned many new cars over my lifetime and I can honestly say this has been by far the biggest dissapointment I have ever had. There is nothing worse than making a $500 car payment on a car that you are not thrilled with. Yes the exterior is phenomenal, but I felt like I was dating a supermodel without a brain or personality. The auto tranny was terrible(the manual isnt much better), the interior highly UNrefined, and the suspension very crude, having plenty of grip, but too harsh for roads here in New England. I guess if you drive in warm climates with no potholes, or havent been treated to having cars with some refinement, Im sure the car will be fine for you. No hard feelings.

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  Outstanding Performance - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By royal - November 15 - 10:00 am

  Very powerfull 6 cylinder! Kicks butt! Handles very well, stops quickly. Everyone loves it! Quite the looker. I am always getting people checking out the car as I buzz past them.

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  2004 Q4 - Dislike the ICC - 2004 Infiniti Q45
  By AZScott - November 12 - 3:16 am

  Love the car, hate the Intelligent Cruise. Every time you pass a semi or medium to large truck the car slams on the brakes. At 75-85 mph or more, not fun. Nav system is poor, in the middle of a 20 yr old freeway it just goes awol and shows you driving in the middle of the desert. Passenger seat has no lumbar support. Purchased a used $10K Mercury Montego for my mom that has a much superior touch screen nav and passenger seat lumbar. Its generally fun to drive and quiet, but Im not as impressed as I hoped Id be with it.

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  Returned Customer - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By N Knupfer - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I used to lease a J30t and LOVED it, but too high residual value and Infinitis refusal to negotiate it forced me to go elsewhere - a Saab 9.3 turbo convertible. Im back and probably wont leave again. Its an exceptional car, handles beautifully, feels luxurious.

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  First G35 Six Speed - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By kevinl - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Just received my 6 spd (11/23/02), the 1st one delivered to and sold at my dealership. Absolutely love this car. It is very quick and extremely responsive. I put about 300 miles on the car 1st day. Driving included city streets, back roads, and highway (MA to CT). Car’s performance was excellent everywhere. This is undoubtedly a sports car. The cockpit wraps around you, the shift has a very short throw and is very close together (takes a little getting use to), and you feel the road. This is my second Infiniti. I’m a customer for life now.

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  Infiniti G35 with Sport Package - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By jcv - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Came from a 1997 BMW M3, - looked at new 330i. Expensive, boosted steering, soft suspension. Infiniti G35 sports package has none of this. Performance, brakes, handling excellent. Everyone seems afraid of some oversteer in G35 but this is PREFERRED in a fast car. M3 owners worked to get it . Interior excellent, manual passengers seat has no height adjustment. Console, roof liner could use more upscale materials, not much off BMW and Mercedes which also cut corners. Bose stereo is excellent. Considered Audi, dated design, expensive,slow. Infiniti has consistently better rating than BMW,Mercedes reliability and customer statisfaction.

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  Beautiful - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Robb G - November 12 - 2:00 am

  The most Beautiful car under $50,000 in 2003.

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  Worth Every Penny! - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Nice Car! - November 10 - 10:46 am

  The new G35 is solid ride and very well built. Im replacing a 2005 Acura TL which was a rattling piece of junk. There is a world of difference and not for much more money. The style exterior and interior is great much better than the previous G35. Its very, very fast and fun to drive. If you want one of these cars, get at least the premium and tech packages and the wood package is neat also. The seats are stiff and fairly average size - not made for a large person! Its simply a great value for the money and hopefully be great quality and a great alternative to Acura who I feel is slipping in quality.

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  none - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By bigb . - November 10 - 10:00 am

  the car is refined and a dream to drive. it definely turns heades

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  Exhilarating !!! - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By David T. - November 10 - 10:00 am

  If you turly want a automobile that will make driving fun again. The G35 Coupe will give you that satisfaction. My Coupe has all the bells and whistles, including GPS. From Comfort to power this car has the best balance of any car Ive owned, and Ive owned all the big named autos. Im also surprised by the room. I have carried on several occasion four adults in comfort. This is a great feature. I can say enough at this time. Ill have to review again after about 20,000 miles.