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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  Careful buying used - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Siggy - June 20 - 2:26 pm

  I purchased it used, pretty sure the previous owner didnt know how to drive a manual transmission that well considering after 2000 miles my clutch, hydrolic cylinder, and flywheel required replacement. Aside from that the car has been a dream

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  G 37 Convert. What a ride - 2013 Infiniti G CONVERTIBLE
  By Dave - June 19 - 2:54 am

  Great acceleration, sexy sound, rides soft and smooth, sleek lookin great electronics, nav. works great climate control seats are great here in FL. No problems at all with maintenence, electronics are great. No trunk room when top is down. Nice trunk space with top up. Its a head turner. Dave

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  The Problems - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By jbmagic - June 17 - 6:33 am

  I want to first say that this is a great car thats very comfortable for the driver and quick as well. The problems are the front tires seem to wear on the insides. Im going on my fourth set of tires in the front with 34,000 miles. Since the rear wheels and tires are larger than the fronts you cant rotate at all. The tires make excessive road noise when they wear in this manner. My second complaint is gas mileage. I average 15 miles per gallon and have for three years with this car. Im an adult and while I drive sort of fast Im far from a speed demon. Lastly is the turning radius. Its very large and almost impossible to turn around in on a side street. Other than that a great car

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  Better Than All - 2006 Infiniti QX56
  By Long Paul - June 15 - 2:43 pm

  This car has so much power, acceleration and is so solid and quiet. A fantastic freeway cruiser and it seats 8. Corners not much worse than my E320 Mercedes. The heated seats are nice and the split rear seat is a big plus. Tons of leg room in the second row. Pick this car over some junky American version like Cadillac or Chevy.

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  Very disappointed - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Christen - June 15 - 12:16 pm

  Horrified by the poor tire wear! At 19,000 miles, my tires were completely bald. Infiniti says they normally replace them around 12-15K! Now I am at 24K, and the front insides are torn up and need to be replaced. Thats right... only 5,000 miles on the tires. Said it was the alignment. I will be looking to trade this car in within the year. I cant afford to replaces tires twice a year, especially at the price our tires are!

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  A reliable old thoroughbred - 1998 Infiniti I30
  By bea50 - June 15 - 9:26 am

  Bought this car new 11 years ago - specially made in Japan with 5-speed manual trans. Was about $14k less than the BMW 5-series, but comparably equipped and with better performance stats. Light, nimble, precise. I have truly loved this car: great fun to drive and unbelievably reliable. At 85,000 miles, not a single major repair. Just the usual stuff, muffler, brakes, clutch, alignment.

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  Best yet - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By WILLIAM B COSTELLO - June 14 - 6:40 pm

  This is my seventh infiniti and the second m45. This one looks and handles much better than my first one. 335 Hp no way this engine puts out a lot more then 335 hp. The voice stuff takes getting used to. The navigation system is the best ive ever used and very easy. My wife liked the car so much she bought a m35x. The fit and finish are perfect

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  Best Kept Secret Ever - 2003 Infiniti Q45
  By benhurr - June 13 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my preowned (one-owner) 2003 Luxury Edition this past August, and got it for peanuts (the sticker on this car when new was $62,750). This is my 3rd Q45. After driving my 1997 Touring edition for over 168,000 miles with no major repairs needed, I was looking for a newer replacement. At the price I paid, I could not pass this car by even though it is 8 years old. This car is amazing and I still cant believe it did not do better from a sales perspective. Ive owned Mercedes, BMWs, Acura, & Lexus and none of those cars can match the features, ride, performance and fantastic reliability. In case you cant tell, I love this car.

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  What a Car! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By LPISG8 - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Have only had it for a few weeks but What a car this is! If you buy a 280 hp vehicle that weighs 4500 lbs with a 3.5 L engine do not expect good gas mileage. I will never argue that. As for the radio and A/C circuit board, I will be back to tell you how to get that done at zero cost. look for my post soon.

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  Brakes & Rattles - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By Q 56 2004 - June 11 - 6:03 pm

  This is a great car to drive, however the car has poorly designed brakes. Mine were replaced by dealer after being in shop three times. I strongly recommend all Q56 owners have their brakes check. The dealer has not been able to get rid of all the rattles. At two miles hour bumpers will sustain damage upon hitting object. Dealer did not imfom me that I needed to use premium gas until after I purchase the Q56.