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:

• 

  Fun to drive, but... - 2011 Infiniti FX
  By zjk - July 30 - 6:04 pm

  Performance, comfort, reliability, design - all great. However, it is the luxury items that disappoint. First, the cooled seats are very hit or miss. Some days I can really feel the cooling, other days, in only a dri-fit shirt and shorts - cant feel a thing. The navigation - while it looks great, Infiniti has done a poor job in translating the data into the GPS system. I have had many addresses, some in major towns, others in minor, not show up. And what good is a GPS system when you already know where you are going? Finally, the Bluetooth is average, at best. I constantly get comments from people that they can barely hear or understand me. Love the ride, not so much the "luxury"

• 

  All Around Awesome - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By MBeaton - July 30 - 6:46 am

  I have had the car for about five months. I love it! For the money, you cant beat it. It is fun to drive (the performance is amazing). The creature comforts are great. It also looks stunning. If you look at other hard top convertibles, no other make comes close to making the hard top look like the coupe the way Infiniti does. All around awesome car.

• 

  Love It, Love It - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By IAmHomerSimpson - July 29 - 10:00 am

  Flawless performance so far. Power up the wazoo. Smooooooth riding. Great sound system. Comfortable. Not flashy but having subdued elegance. Great roominess for family trips.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  The Beast Within - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By jrh332 - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Had my choices narrowed down to Audi A6 S line or the M45 Sport. Infiniti won hands down and didnt hurt being roughly $8000 cheaper with about the same equipment level. I know it doesnt have all the Audi features but the Audi doesnt have all the M45s equipment either. Truely a drivers car. The performance out of this 4000 lbs car is something you have to experience. Performance tires may pick up some noise depending on pavement otherwise as quiet as sitting in your living room. Controlled ride and appears to be screwed together pretty good.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  Very Satisfied - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By khr - July 25 - 11:06 am

  Infiniti did it again with a great car! I love driving this car, it handles great and I highly recommend it! I sold a 2002 BMW 325i to get this car and am glad I did!