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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  Powerful Sport Sedan - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By qualityfirst1 - November 30 - 9:13 pm

  This car intrigues you. A true Jekyll and Hyde. Lots of power - Manual mode on transmission is worthless. Comfortable seats - Hard to reach seat controls. Nice wood and leather interior - console and glove box are loose. Lots of goodies - Too many steps involved to enjoy them. Feels great up to 120 mph - feels unsafe at 125 mph. Big car - Interior feels narrow. I like the handling and performance of my car, but it does not have give you feedback like my BMW 540i. This car is a sleeper. You can pull away from nearly every car on the road. Stereo system is very nice. Ours is black with tinted windows and chrome wheels - I think the best color for this car. Engine burns lots of oil!

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  If you want fun to drive ... this is it! - 2000 Infiniti G20
  By Raggededge - November 30 - 11:56 am

  I got my G20t new in 2000. It now has almost 70K miles and no problems at all. It still garners compliments on its looks. It will outhandle cars much newer and costlier. The leather seats are some of the most comfortable ones out there. Plus, it gets great gas mileage. I average almost 30 mpg year round in mixed driving. Of course, I have a manual which goes a long way towards solving any perceived power deficiencies. Infiniti missed the boat with this car. They should have given it some upgrades and put either a turbo or the 2.5 engine in it. If you can find a nice one used, grab it. You wont regret it.

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  Really is the Muscle Car with Brains!! - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By Daren - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my M45 for about a month now and it is so much fun to drive, yet sophisticated too. It ourpowers my old Jaguar S-Type 4.0 and has all the interior features of that luxury car. Please, it makes a really neat growl when you start it and accelerate.

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  great car - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By martmart - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had no problems with this car. It is very comfortable, attractive and has great pick-up.

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  g35 takes the cake - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By will mansi - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I think that the Infiniti G35x AWD is the best entry level sports sedan out there. I have test driven the bmw 330 and the acura tl, and the G blows its competition away. It is truly a luxury sports car that will make you look forward to getting behind the wheel!

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  Annoying problem - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By roble - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I loved my G35 sedan with premium and sport package for the first few weeks. I figured out how to get the best sound from the Bose with Bass at -1, Treble at -3 or 4, fader at RR1. I had to have the dealer install a foam kit to fix door rattles from the front speakers. Im putting up with the inadequate suspension thats too harsh when driving slow over uneven pavement and jostles you around when turning slowly over a raised surface. But I have little squeaks and rattles that come and go in the right door or dash that cant be pinpointed. Very annoying.

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  Oops I did it again - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Car Jinxed - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car for the looks, performance, and value. Unfortunately, since I bought the car it has been in the shop. The car has a pull to the right that Infiniti is unable to resolve. I had issues with my last vehicle purchase - will I ever get a good one?

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  Its not a Honda... - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By clintguy - November 24 - 2:00 am

  The engine is bulletproof, but the rest of the car... well, it should be riddled with bullets. Everything is rattly and creaky after a year. Before this car, I had 4 Hondas/Acuras and none of them were like this. Moreover, I have had a blown out speaker since the first month I had it, and no Infiniti dealership will replace a door speaker! Agh!

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  Year in Review - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Jay from BK - November 23 - 4:33 am

  I purchased my G coupe in December 2005 and am still in love with the car. Over the past year and a half I have noticed issues with build quality. There are many annoying rattles that have developed in the car that you hear over bumps. The sunroof creaks relentlessly and the interior plastics scratch too easily! Am still very satisfied with the cars performance though I do wish it had stronger pull. The car seems to lose steam in 4th and doesnt pull hard in 5th. The seats are still comfortable and the stereo has held up well so far. Bluetooth just stopped working two weeks ago! Paint is very soft, chips too easily.

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  Poor powertrain - 2011 Infiniti G Sedan
  By ljscap - November 22 - 11:03 am

  The vehicle is solid and handles well. Greatly disappointed in the engine and transmission. Transmission seems to take forever to decide what gear to go into. Gas mileage has averaged 17.2 mpg over the 3500 miles I have driven, half interstate and half suburban. Engine is very weak and combined with the transmission you never know when the acceleration will start. Last three cars were 2008 AUDI A4 Quattro, 2006 BMWX3 and a 2004 Bmw 325i. This Infiniti does not compare at all with the driving pleasure of these cars.