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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  A good choice, with a few caviats - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By I30Auditor - December 21 - 10:00 am

  After 6 months of research, I bought a 2000 I30 with 56,000 on it. Got it for a steal, though in retrospect its a good thing its still under warrenty. Next week Infiniti is paying to have a new transmission put in . (Though they tell me this is SO rare they have to order it in from Japan). And today I discovered safety glass in one of the rear trim pieces (some with blood on it, indicating an accident). All in all though, I really coulndt be happier. Its got a ton of bells and whistles, is dead quiet on the freeway, and gets decent mileage. Everyone who sees it tells me how classy it looks. Love the clock in the dash. Give it a good hard look.

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  Seven Months and Still Loving It - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By DCornellier - December 19 - 11:36 pm

  Well, Ive had my 2004 Infiniti G35X for seven months and it still turns my own head! I came out of the ATM the other day and thought, nice car. LOL.To date, I have only had one odd problem with the gas tank, it stopped allowing me to fill it when it still wasnt full. Infiniti found it to be defective and quickly replaced it without any problems. I can not say enough about the royal treatment that I have received from my Infiniti dealer when I take my car in for service. I get a new loaner car every time.

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  Death Ride - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By SC - December 19 - 12:00 am

  Piece of junk. Brake judder with brake replacement plus brake failure times 2. Dealer unable to fix. Requires two trips to have anything fixed. Replaced door lock relay and windshield washer motor. Recalled for fire hazard from trailer light socket. Dealer refuses to fix rear window spray nozzle. Luckily able to avoid 2 crashes when brakes failed. Shakes, rattles and rolls. Drives like a tank. Steering wheel will not come back into place every time. A/C controls are terrible. Gas guzzler.

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  The Best in Class. - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By jalterio - December 17 - 2:00 am

  A great car!!! Best in class acceleration. Very good seats and loooks so nice in black.

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  Great car for the dollar! - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By JoeyM - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Excellent features for a vehicle with a price under 30K. The engine is awesome!

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  Almost perfect! - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By eborski - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Previous experiences: 1980 VW Scirocco, 1994 VW Jetta, 1994 Subaru Legacy wagon, 1970 MB 280s, VW Golf, 1998 Volvo GL wagon, also Caddies, and MB SL...... This is about the best. Quiet...Fast...Fantastic engine...good tranny....elegant (black) interior...etc. Best stereo i ever owned!

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  Great Car - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By bdub - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I just test drove this car and it is awesome. The G35 engine sounds great and the power is felt as soon as you step on the gas. The exterior styling of the car is exceptional.

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  Had to have it - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By docfcc - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This was the first car that after I saw it on TV, I went out and bought one. It looks even better in person- especially in your garage.

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  Great car - 2000 Infiniti G20
  By pronger44 - December 16 - 1:50 pm

  We love our Infiniti. The only bummer is that as our family expands, we probably will have to switch to a big bulky SUv, or heavan forbid, a minivan.

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  Love my ride. - 2001 Infiniti Q45
  By acornsx2 - December 16 - 1:10 am

  I love this car. Love the quality, love the ride and its fun to drive. You cant go wrong with this car.