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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  Love the Car but not Infiniti - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By AUsomTiger - July 29 - 10:00 am

  The price, performance, and style of the G35 Coupe add up to the best car for the money. I love this car. I get a big grin every time I crank it up and hear its melodious exhaust. But, there are a few things that bother me. I had to have my clutch plate, flywheel, and pressure plate replaced at 2200 miles due to a defective flywheel. The transmission will eventually have to be replaced due to the additional stress. My coupe was supposed to be satellite ready, but its not. Many cars were not properly prewired. Rather than make the wire available for customer installation, Infiniti has chosen not to support satellite radio at all in those vehicles.

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  the high-end nissan - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By stpcheerios - July 29 - 10:00 am

  I drove the coupe but have a 78 280z, so waited till the manufacturer delivered the six speed sedans. Equipped with the preferred package, aero package (spoiler/rear wheel diffusers), and sunroof. Sweet/smooth/nice looking. It feels more like a coupe than sedan. Never drove anything else, so not much help as far as comparisons. Own an 01 Pathfinder and 00 Xterra, but the Infiniti nameplate does provide a longer warranty and the quality of the leather and some other materials may be a step above a Nissan, but its still Nissan and that means a strong engine, responsive chassis, and a quality product from front to rear.

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  Fab car - 2005 Infiniti Q45
  By artiand - July 28 - 2:26 pm

  Have owned a caddy, and Lexus, gm and Chrysler, Ford cars. Nothing like a Q45. What a beauty! Love it and strongly recommend as a preowned. Excellent value.

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  G35 Coupe - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Jim Hoey - July 27 - 11:33 am

  After doing considerable research, I chose to purchase the 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe. Based on performance, value for the dollar, and the included standard equipment, I dont think there is a better value to be found. Having owned a 2001 I30 I knew about the exceptional dealer support, free loaner vehicles, reliability, performance, and comfort of the Infiniti line. My G35 has proven to be even more fun to drive. I previously owned a 1986 300Z. The G35 smokes it. Other cars considered included BMW 318 series, Saab, Mercedes, Jaguar, and Acura. Dollar for dollar, and feature for feature, none stacked up to the G35.

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  2005 Infiniti G35X - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By jonmanch - July 26 - 10:03 pm

  Only had the car for two weeks; however, it is a lot of fun to drive. I recently owned an Audi A6. The interior finishes are very nice, and I think Infiniti has improved on the finsihes for 2005. The car was well assembled. There are no squeaks or rattles. I do find fault with a few design failures; namely, the car doors do not automatically lock when either placed in Drive or when reaching 9 mph as the VW and Audi doors do. Also, the memory seats do not include the side view mirror settings. I park in a garage in NYC, and I always get the car back with the mirrors changed. It is a slight inconvenience to reset, but at this price, it should have been a simple programming job.

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  great but I wish it was prettier - 2005 Infiniti Q45
  By Joe Scheideler - July 24 - 11:10 am

  My beautiful 93 Jag was totaled, so I test drove the Lexus, BMW, VW Phaeton, and for handling, power (340 hp), good visibility, comfort, and relatively easy to control gadgets this seemed to be best. Great turning ratio, terrific techtonic tranny, sports mode, slip differential mode, fab radio, cd and sirius satellite, bose speakers, heat and air seats, and the navigational map system; voice controlled. My old jag was prettier but this babys got it all.

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  Switched and Im Glad! - 2002 Infiniti QX4
  By gypsy003 - July 23 - 10:00 am

  I sell real estate and drove Buick Park Avenues for years. I have really enjoyed the versatility of my QX4. The front seats are super comfy (though my husband says the cars too small for a big man.) The visibility is great and I dont back into near as many mailboxes when Im showing property. I drove the 4-Runner, but the Infinity handled better and is roomier in front.

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  It will be hard to beat the M45 Sport - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By Lonny53 - July 23 - 6:50 am

  This car is simply awesome. The power and road handling are outstanding. I have just finished the break-in period and I am starting to see how quick and agile this car is. I have the Tech and Journey packages and the technology in this car is incredible. Everything works well (once you figure out how to use it all). This is WAY better than any other car I have ever owned. The competition should be scrambling to catch up.

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  Awesome driving experience! - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By chiro2445 - July 20 - 6:14 pm

  First off I must say I came up from a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM to this amazing 2007 G35 S. Simply put, the car is fast! The responsiveness of this vehicle is amazing. The active steer assist makes maneuvering at high speeds much easier although it can be a tad bit artificial. Steering at lower speeds give great feedback and feel. The sport package make ride comfort a bit hard and tight, but its way better than a 99 Pontiac Grand AM lol! The exterior styling is sleek and smooth, plus the Bose sound system is crystal clear. I average 22 mpg on a daily basis and Im driving about 55-60 mph average! Overall you get performance, luxury, and value!

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  I love this car! - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By PLINA - July 17 - 9:13 pm

  Just came down from an M35X to a G35X Sport and I love this car it has almost everything I want in a car and it handles like a dream, the feel of this car is very solid and the finish is excellent, the power is great and I dont hear any wind nose like others have said.