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:

• 

  great value - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By twiliteguy - September 14 - 9:23 pm

  I was looking for a large safe luxurious SUV for my family with good value and have found it in this vehicle. Comfort level is second to none in my opinion in the QX56. Gas mileage is not an issue when you buy in this class and size. There were issues with software probs in the navigation system but these were quickly rectified by my dealer. Dollar for dollar this SUV is got to be considered when purchasing in this class.

• 

  Creature comfort - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By jbp - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Excellent and reliable vehicle but definitely not in the luxury class. Suspension is very stiff; with 3 ladies (not large) in the back seat, it sounds as if the springs have hit the stops and it bottums out. AC should have dual control for front passenger comfort and should have rear outlet. Sun shield in rear window is excellent idea and functional. Have had the car 18 months but am considering the Lincoln Continental for creature comforts and reliablility.

• 

  Hot car for the short run ONLY - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By SkipA - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Great fun to drive car, very fast, pretty darn good milage for this much performance. BUT = Seats are made for 150# or less small people. The low height of the roof line is anoying. I hit my head often & I am only 58".. In order to not hit the roof, you will almost be sitting on your back side. the ride is still a little abrupt. Great car to mess around with, not A AUTO FOR A LONG TRIP

• 

  BEWARE OF BRAKE WEAR - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By BEWARE - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car about 10 months. Great car overall no mechanical problems. Took car in for 15K service. Given estimate for $200. Left with $870 bill. The front brake rotors had to be replaced and the front and rear pads needed to be replaced. I found out that on virtually ALL the G35s the rotors needed to be replaced at around the 15K service. Infiniti is aware of this problem of "soft rotors" but so far has not considered this a warrantee issue. My dealer gave me a 10% discount to bring the bill to less than $900 - lucky me. IF Infiniti does not take care of this problem I will try to get rid of the car. Too bad since I like it. BEWARE

• 

  Good value for your money - 2002 Infiniti Q45
  By Q45 owner - September 6 - 11:30 pm

  I have owned this car for more than 3 years and the biggest problem Ive had is that it is too big and too long for me to move in tight parking lots. Otherwise the car is very reliable and comfortable, with ample power.

• 

  Exceptional Car, Poor Selling Policies - 2005 Infiniti Q45
  By HRM - August 30 - 4:06 am

  Having driven luxury cars for the past 12 years, I was pleased to purchase the Q45. It is everything that I thought it would be and more. The only disappointment is the lack of an "Onstar" like commmunications device like similar cars. My biggest disappointment is the lack of advertising committed to the Infiniti line. Mercedes, Lexus and Acura devote more time and monies to advertising their luxury cars, which in my opinion do not even come close to the value for dollar of the Q45

• 

  06M45 - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By otisdog7 - August 29 - 12:36 am

  Great car so far. Pretty fast, handles like a dream. Not so sure about the redundant controls for audio, climate etc, But overall a great car.

• 

  QX60 is not for everyone - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By qx60driver - August 24 - 11:07 am

  After driving a G35 for 13 years, it took a bit to get use to QX60 Hybrid. It is perfect when you drive the wife, 2 kids and their stuff. And you still have room to offer another family to come alone. Or like me, you do not remember when was your last speeding ticket. My last one was 17 years ago. I know we need a minivan but can not imagine being seen in one. QX60 fits the bill, plus the 4WD. I enjoy seeing 26 to 29 mpg routinely with regular gas. My record is a 38.1 mpg on a short 10 mile run. Having kids changed my perspective. I no long focus on 0-60 numbers. Someday, I will have my sports car with no child seats. I also got 17 mpg when try to match my G35 experience. Update, April 3rd, 2016. 27,000 + miles later, QX60 Hybrid runs well. Overall, I am at 25.5 mile/gallon, I did manual calculation for 12 month driving, recording miles at each gas fill up. I drive highway 70 miles during the week, and all local during weekends. Before QX60, we always take my wifes ML350. Now, kids just go to QX60, it is so comfortable and roomier. No issue, not a single one. I did oil and filter changes myself every 5000 miles with full synthetic. I do not go to dealer for services, other than tire rotation. My next car is either a 911, GT-R or Tesla Model S, keep on dreaming while driving +/- 5 miles within speed limit in my QX60.

• 

  Incredible Value in Sport and Performanc - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By rubencr - August 22 - 11:36 am

  I have an early model 2003 Coupe w/6MT, loaded w/o nav. I have enjoyed the car immensely, but it isnt without its issues. Fortunately, the overall character and quality of the car are well beyond what should be expected for the price. My previous car was an MB that probably developed expectations for refinement in the "little things" that the G35C did not achieve, at least not in this first year of production. It is great fun to drive, forgiving handling character, very nicely styled (and gets attention), and no major mechanical problems. Dont expect a sense of massive horsepower - the G35C is created in the character of the original 240Z.

• 

  Good Car some minor imperfections - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By NickA - August 19 - 10:00 am

  Driving this car is absolutely amazing, I have the 2004 g35 coupe and it is great. There is only a few imperfections, one there is some cheap plastics on the interior, the leather on my seat ripped by the side, which seems to happen on MANY coupes. However, the power-train is amazing, the engine as well. Its not 100 percent reliable, but much better than American coupes, and German coupes as well, this car is for someone who wants performance, reliability, luxury, and too have fun while driving it. It is not very practical though. It is for two people and occasionally can seat 4 depending on their height. otherwise great car and WAY better ride and interior than the Z car.