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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  Way Cool - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By Alan Acosta - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I moved from a BMW 330 coupe to the M45. I enjoyed the BMW, the M blows it away for just a few thousand more. The BMW was more sporty, felt the road more, yes. all thats true. But given all those people in their automatic 325 sedans, I think that argument is hooey. The M drives really well and knocks you back in your seat when you take off. Build and fit-finish are excellent, gadgets fun. Finally, the M has taken its knocks for its "look," --too conservative, too chunky, whatever--but I have gotten rave reviews from friends and people on the street. Lots of power and bang for buck--this car rocks.

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  Fun Sedan - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Dennis Pack - February 13 - 5:23 am

  I owned Maximas for 10 years prior to buying the G35. I wondered what the big deal could be between the two. What a mistake, the driving experience between the two cannot be compared. The G35 is extremely agile for a 3400 lb car. I find the interior quite pleasing, especially after looking at some 3 series BMW interiors. The VQ motor is a jewel, not real strong out of the hole but really pulls well through the rest of the RPM range. Cornering with the "midship" design platform was quite pleasing and for the first time, actually made me realize that the car would allow me to corner faster than I wanted to. I am extremely pleased with the G35 and my wife loves it too.

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  Im still in love - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Friscomama - February 12 - 8:23 pm

  Ive had my car now for almost a year and Im still in love. The gas mileage is about 21 mpg around the city and approx. about 25 highway.

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  Just go and drive one with all the toys - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By Dallas - February 12 - 11:43 am

  I have been driving high performance Benz and BMW for years, but had the itch for more room and luxury without giving up performance. I am past the days of status statements with automobiles and started my search from behind the wheel test driving cars with a budget of 55K. In the end the G35S was the car, it delivers more luxury and features than the BMW 5s and better performance and features than the Benz Es, all for just under 40K with all options.

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  The Jewel of Jewels - 1998 Infiniti Q45
  By Ed - February 10 - 3:56 pm

  I bought my Q45 10 years ago and it now has 188,000 miles on it. I am amazed at the reliability of this vehicle. It is far and away the best car Ive ever owned. It still runs perfectly- like new today. I keep waiting for something major to go wrong so I can justify trading it in but it continues to run and operate perfectly. It handles well, is very comfortable, powerful and quiet. The only item that ever failed was the alternator at 125,000 miles. I just need to tell the world that this car is the UNBELIEVABLY reliable. I am finally considering trading it in only because Ive had it for 10 years and I want something different. Im sure Ill be disappointed with its replacement. Its a 10!

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  Wow!!! - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Rene - February 9 - 5:26 am

  Great looks moving and standing still. Just a nice car all over. Once thought about owning one. My dream come true.

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  Highway Cruiser - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Sid S - February 7 - 3:40 pm

  We Love this Car! This is our 5th Nissan product and the Best yet. Started with a 240sx and worked up through Altima, Maxima and finally to the Infinity G35x. The move from the Maxima to the G35 was like coming into the Light. The car is tight, nimble and fast... almost too fast for my wife (but she really loves the "pickup") she just has to be somewhat carefull with the "Fast pedal" In the pasty weeks Ive driven it about 1000 highway miles and love tooling up and down the Merritt Pkwy in CT going to/from Boston. The "G "holds the road and goes where and when I want it too. For me, dollar for dollar its the Best Value out there. Even better than the Maxima- which was a great value.

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  A Real Sleeper - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By troxl - February 7 - 10:00 am

  You dont see this one coming. It has class, features, and a 340 horsepower V8. This car outclasses my Bonneville SSEi.

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  Very Reliable SUV - 2001 Infiniti QX4
  By Sibyl Blankenship - February 7 - 10:00 am

  This SUV has been (and still is) a very comfortable and reliable vehicle. We have not had any mechanical failures to date (we have 40K miles on it). It is a very comfortable ride whether you are on a short city trip or on vacation. The only improvement that we feel Infiniti/Nissan needs to improve upon would be the GAS MILEAGE. We average 14 in the city and 17 on the highway.

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  It Is All True - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Garnet Fire - February 7 - 10:00 am

  In two months of driving my G35 I have determined that the reviews are accurate: this car is fun to drive and the best value by far (I compared Audi, BMW, Saab, Volvo). Yes, you trade power for fuel economy. The G35 is the fastest and tightest car I have owned; the suspension is surprisingly tighter than my I30t, which was sport. I cannot imagine how firm the sport suspension would be in this car.