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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  Great car! - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Brett - October 26 - 7:46 am

  I bought my coupe 6MT with 15,000 miles on it about a year ago. I drive it every day and have even driven it from Michigan to California and back. It performs flawlessly and is a pleasure to drive every single day. While I think it deserves a more powerfull engine, it does ok with just shy of 300 Bhp. The exhaust note is like music but could be a bit louder. It is also a great platform for upgrades to performance. I am actually having a single turbo installed this week that will boost the hp to over 425 (crankshaft) without having to rebuild the lower end. This is a great mix of sport and luxury, I love this car!!!

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  Great Car! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By jsmit86 - October 25 - 10:00 am

  I traded my 2001 I30 for a 2003 G35 Leather Premium w NAV. So far, excellent! Great power, outstanding handling, kick a$$ stereo, and it definitely turns heads.

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  Excellent car for the $ - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By RG - October 21 - 7:20 pm

  I traded in my 2002 BMW M3 2 door for the 2008 G35x Sport, needed a 4 door car for a baby. So far I really do like the car, and coming from an M3, the performance is right up there. Other cars I looked at were the BMW 335ix and Lexus IS350. Both were OVER $10k more expensive and the Infiniti had more features. I really like the interior of this car too, far more than the $10k more expensive BMW. Seats are very comfortable and it has a nice high-end look to it without the price. I think you cannot go wrong with this car for $38k, 300+ HP, great interior, nav, stereo, keyless start, etc.

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  Great purchase - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By LDM3673 - October 21 - 4:36 pm

  I just bought my g35... I love it it is fun and gets all the looks... I could not ask for much more

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  G35 Review - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Woody_1 - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic car with excellent acceleration, beautiful cloth seats, and a truly fun car to drive.

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  Best in (a very competitive) Class - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By James - October 18 - 10:10 am

  I test drove the BMW335i, Lexus IS350, and Acura TL Type-S. Very respectable competitors with loads to offer, but... BMW shifts were rubbery, and a 10k prestige premium didn’t feel justified, especially considering reliability and repair cost. Lexus 350i was elegant inside but handling spongy. TypeS was the closest competitor for me, comparably equipped for the same price. High quality 2- tone leather, carbon fiber trim. Handled well overall, but short 20 hp and FWD just falls short of RWD kick. The G35 Sport was crisp, responsive, refined inside and out. Drove both 5A w/paddles (nifty) and 6MT (nicer!). My wife smiled as she left the 5A driver’s seat, “I see why you like this car, wow!”

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  Still the Best Midsize SUV - 2002 Infiniti QX4
  By SUV hoper - October 16 - 9:23 pm

  I have owned a 4Runner, a couple of Pathfinders and my QX4. Have also spent some time with a friends RX 330. Even though this car is now nearly 6 yrs old, I still believe it is one of the best mid-size SUVs out there. The style is still unsurpassed, great std. and optional features, excellent overall quality and reliability, and decent performance. A shame that they discontinued it. Although the undercarriage may be the same as the pathfinder (not a bad thing), it trumps the pathfinder in style and refinement. Line it up against the 07 midsize SUVs, and it would still stand out. One of the best vehicles I have owned.

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  Best SUV on the Road - 2011 Infiniti QX56
  By cory11 - October 16 - 1:30 am

  I had a 1998 Landcruiser, drove a sedan for a while and then bought a 2010 Toyota 4-runner. I wanted something more luxurious so I started looking at SUVs. Range Rover, LX570, Navigator and Escalade (nothing else really out there). I drove the QX and loved it! Great power, fabulous interior, excellent exterior! I bought one and have put only 200 miles on it, but it is clearly the best SUV on the road!

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  Dont miss my 540i - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By bentrodri - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Had initial hesitation about going from a 540i to the G35. Had to get used to a new torque curve, but this is a quick car. Dealer experience is wonderful, especially after the arrogant BMW sales and service. Dont miss the $1000 repair bills either. Do miss the wider tires but the G35 handles well. Looked at the LS v-8 and CTS, but there was nothing even close, dollar for dollar.

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  G35 Coupe Black Beast - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By jbang - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Interestingly enough I did not expect this car to impress me this way even after all the reviews that I read and research that I did. However I can say that every day that I get in it I have been finding something else to be proud of, and as picky as I am that is no small feat indeed. This thing is so chock full of torque, that anyone who buys anything else who is looking for raw power at under 50 grand has just got to be kidding me.