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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  Its a great car! - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By Fuzzy - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Buying experience was excellent. Car is tight, quiet and fast. A little bigger than my previous 99 Maxima, and loaded with nice touches. Understated exterior design will surprise people. Looked at Volvo, Maxima, Saab, chose the best car at the best price.

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  GOOD TO GO!!!!! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By WYFSCARIDRIVE - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I JUST WANTED TO SAY, THIS IS THE BEST CAR FOR THE MONEY.THE ONLY REGRET I HAVE IS, NOT BUYING THE 6SPEED MANUAL. WAY TO GO INFINITI!!!!!!!

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  Great car! But rust issue on front motor/radiator mount - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By taylor1111 - January 18 - 4:08 am

  Purchased in 2000 when Infiniti launched new redesign of I30t model. Car was originally my Dads, now I own it w/ 255K mi. Had its share of wear and tear being 12 years old and driven on avg over 100 mi/day commuting.There is a flaw with this car and that is the rust that builds on the radiator mount under the car. This mount also connects with the front motor mount. Car has been garage kept. I know of others that have seen this also.I can feel its affect on the cars performance and handling. Its only b/c of this I am now looking for another car. Cost to repair isnt worth the value of the car. If choosing to buy, note to look for this. However the car is great. I will truly miss it.

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  whats not to like? - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By baldy10 - January 17 - 4:03 pm

  I have owned my G35 for 7 years now but am getting the itch so before I bid it farewell I owe it to Infinity to say thanks. This has been the best car I have ever owned. Fast, nimble, firm but not a teeth shaker and yet with a backseat thats sufficient for our three kids. Sport sedan label fits this one perfectly The only repair weve had to make was an A/C compressor that went out a few months ago. I had my ECM flashed early on and that took care of the touchy throttle response. I really think my 07 looked better than the later models. Now the M50 is coming out but that pricetag will be too high for me. The G35 was the perfect blend of performance, comfort, and value.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By lovemyG - January 17 - 2:23 am

  I admit Im biased, I wanted the G since I saw the first photos of the 2007 model. I waited out the lease on my previous vehicle, then searched for more than a month to find a 6spd Sport. I live in upstate NY and took delivery in late November at the start of snow season; after nearly 2 months, I have no regrets about buying RWD. A set of Blizzaks all around, plus VDC and a light touch on the throttle and clutch, and I havent had a problem at all. The G is everything I wanted; stylish, sophisticated, RWD, 6MT, with all the tech gadgets I could ask for. A friend rode in it and commented "Nice, but not a BMW or Audi." Which is exactly why I bought it.

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  Aint your mamas grocery getter! - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By 3 Ladies and a Daddy - January 15 - 8:23 am

  Im a housewife and mother of two. Ive always been somewhat of a car enthusiast having "grown up at the race tracks." I love this car because the sedan is sporty enough and performs like the sports car Ive always longed for, but yet is practical enough to haul 2 kids, 1 stroller and groceries for the week. The trunk space is enormous! Who says you need to give up your sense of style for sensibility when you have a family?? Ive never had a car perform and take corners the way this one does. It definitely gets my heart racing. This aint your mamas grocery getter!

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  Great car, awful milage - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Seth4Man - January 14 - 9:43 am

  I love driving this car. I think the lines are as beautiful as any car on the road sub 90k. That said, this thing is not a gas mileage champ. My combination of city/hwy driving has yielded only 18mpg, a far cry from the window sticker.

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  Move Over Lexus! - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By Bill Little - January 14 - 6:00 am

  Having driven luxury vehicles for the past 12 years, I can truthfully say that my Infiniti M45 is the finest auto I have ever owned. Its just flat fun to drive, it has awesome power, particularly low end power, enough gadgets to satisfy even the most demanding technocrat, and styling that equals any vehicle in its class. No wonder its rated so high. Its got my vote.

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  "Hold on to your hats!" - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By jojo - January 14 - 12:03 am

  Ive owned mine for about 2 weeks now and still no complaints. Powerful, solid, responsive, & extremely fun to drive. Love to drive it on winding roads, it handles great.

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  Subpar quality - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By yossarian7 - January 13 - 7:31 pm

  As CR recently affirmed, QX60 quality is lacking. Just about every trim piece, whether inside or outside is falling off or has fallen off. Even the plastic Infiniti label on the back hatch is in the process of falling off. The tires lasted a whopping 25k miles, and, at 20", they are very expensive. The rear brakes and rotors failed at 20k miles. It is under-powered, the CVT is annoying, it doesnt get particular good mileage, and the steering response feels like there is a rubber band between the steering wheel and wheels. The wind noise increases by the day (the car is simply falling apart), and it is not due to the failing seals because the dealer replaced the seals.