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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  Long Term Evaluation - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By ALEO - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car almost one year ago and it is still as fun to drive as the first day. I still receive compliments from people in gas stations parking lots and traffic stops. But.. Gas Mileage is worse than expected. The 19 MPG city goes down to 15 MPG once you add A/C and stop & go traffic. The quality of the materials and body integrity are marginal. Recalls are galore. Stereo had to be replaced and the "Check engine" light comes out some times.

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  Quite pleased - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By JP1 - December 6 - 6:23 pm

  It came down to the Infiniti G35, Nissan Maxima/Altima, Subaru Legacy GT, Pontiac Grand prix GTP, or Mazda RX8. I had to have an automatic with 4 doors due to business and marriage. I test drove the RX8, maxima, altima, and G35. The RX8 was fun but the engine just didnt do it for me with the auto so I drove the max and altima. I enjoyed both cars. The Altima(3.5l) pulled hard but the interior was sub par. The max was a luxurious vehicle but the torque steer was too much. The G35 ran hard and firm. The trick is to get all of your research done before hand and bring it with you. I was able to get the 04 G35 with prem/sport/aero/trk mats/spl grds for 31500

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  SHE IS MY BABY, I love my SUV - 2000 Infiniti QX4
  By cathy2 - December 4 - 10:00 am

  I love my QX4,I have had no problems with it at all, I take it up to the snow,it runs great,I drive everywhere in it.It looks good and I feel good when I am in it.

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  Fun and Valuable - 2012 Infiniti G Sedan
  By kluthage421 - December 3 - 4:30 am

  Very fun car to drive. Much better value than BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. People may say this car has road noise, but it is because of the OEM tires. Replace them right away. What is great about this car over its competitors is that it is not numb. You can tell details of the surface the car is on. You can feel it in the wheel and pedals. You dont want a car that is numb (BMW, Lexus etc.), unless you are driving in the city a lot, in which its pointless to have a 3.7L V6 engine. So, the transmission isnt super smooth and F1-like in its shifting speed. I like to feel when the car shifts. The G is a higher performing Maxima that looks better.

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  Great car - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Phoenix - November 30 - 12:40 am

  This car is very fast and it looks great in black. The sports seats are very tight. Im waist size 32. This car can be much more efficient if the top gear is much taller. Unless youre living in a very hilly city, there is no reason to have the RPM above 3K at 70 mph. It feels very wasteful, and it is very wasteful. Another major problem are the tires. The front tires start to feather out and make a lot of noise at around 10K. I had to replace them even though they still have a lot of tread.

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  Excellent value, minor annoyances - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By snowtrax00 - November 25 - 2:38 pm

  The car is quick and the engine sounds good but the transmission is rough shifting into reverse. The manual mode shifts with a bang almost every time. The brakes are spongy, warp easily and dont last long. The exhaust has rust problems and the gas mileage is alright but could be better. Handling is pretty tight but the car is skinny so body roll is more noticeable than others. The leather is soft and comfortable but rips easily. The interior is nice but looks dated and has a few squeaks and rattles but most cars do.

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  My G35 - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Stacy - November 25 - 10:10 am

  We love our car. it is very dependable, and also very sporty and cute. We love the updated style. Our only complaint is that the paint seems to chip pretty easy. Otherwise, its been a great car, so far.

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  Ehhh.... - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By Patrick - November 23 - 10:00 am

  Got this used w/ 200k miles. Engine light was on, showing P0430, P0400, and something else. The car is pretty rough mechanically, and needs a lot of work. The engine and transmission are still great, after 10 years and 200k miles. I changed the spark plugs and the check engine light went off, only to come back on a day later. Has weird exhaust noise (prob not the cat conv.) and the struts were completely shot (got those replaced) and I think the mass airflow sensor is bad. A common problem on this car. Overall, its a nice vehicle, but if youre buying used, plan on spending some money on repairs. At least $1000...

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  Impressed - 2013 Infiniti JX
  By brifromwi - November 21 - 10:42 pm

  Purchased an AWD JX with Premium Pkg and am impressed with the vehicle after 500 miles. Traded a 2007 Lexus GX and really dont miss it. Gas mileage has been about 20 mpg with mixed city/highway driving. Comfortable and well laid out interior. Overall a very nice vehicle.

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  Tremendously fun, rediculously thirsty - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Funnest and sexiest car Ive ever driven. However, the price you pay is 13-15 MPG, and I dont drive heavy- footed at all. My drive to work is 2/3 highway and 1/3 surface roads, and I can barely squeeze 220 miles out of a 15 gallon tank of premium unleaded. I wonder if anyone else gets similar gas mileage... way below the vehicles rating of 17 city/27 hwy MPG.