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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  Smooth Ride - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By Triathlongator - December 1 - 3:56 am

  Smooth, powerful ride. Definitely a lot of car for a great price. With other comparisons such as the Audi S4 with a very similar engine, its a great choice and handles great in the snow with AWD.

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  "06 QX56 Vastly Superior to 04 - 2006 Infiniti QX56
  By William Staats - November 29 - 6:06 am

  I previously owned a 2004 QX56 which had two significant problems and a few minor ones. Yet it was really comfortable and absolutely great to drive on the highway. After a year and a half, I traded it in on a 2006 model, and Ive been extremely happy in every respect with the new model. Obviously, early manufacturing problems and quality control issues have been resolved based on my experience. My dealer experience, although limited to scheduled maintenance visits, has been superb. The 06 QX56 is great on the road--powerful and comfortable. The interior is very well done. Gas mileage on the road is inverse to my speed. At 70 mph, I get 19.2-19.5 mpg.

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  very sure footed - 2012 Infiniti G Sedan
  By stewmeat - November 26 - 9:23 pm

  Pros : power + , bose sysyem with streaming audio , navigation , interior design , price compared to others in its class. Cons : Transmission hesitates or delays , back seat only good for kids , gas milage is just ok Let me start by saying, " this is a nice car" the build quality seems very good. The power is beyond great, and the bose system has a bass filled beat that will keep up with any. You can stream music from your phone without pluging it in (love it) flip through the songs on your phone, look at your address book on the dislay, control it all with your hands on the wheel. Also you can burn your cds or store phone numbers on the built in hard drive.

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  2010 QX56 - Best Bang For The Buck! - 2010 Infiniti QX56
  By gtkillerbee - November 26 - 5:26 pm

  I own my own business, so I have had a 2004 Z71 Avalanche, 2006 Z71 Suburban, 2008 Landrover LR3, and it was time for something new. I was also looking for something different, and kind of in between (size-wise). Went and test drove a 2010 QX56 and liked what it offered (207" long, so smaller than Suburban, but larger than LR3), fits nicely in the garage, and still has loads of room inside, plus nice ride & all the bells & whistles. With the $7K worth of mfg to deal incentives, and new 2011 model arriving late summer (which will be smaller like LX570/LC), the deal was too good to pass up. Nothing else out there w/ all this + warranty, for the money ($53K OTD). Get em while they last.

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  An update for 2009 - 2002 Infiniti Q45
  By Dr. Craig Merrell - November 26 - 12:16 am

  Car has now been flat-bedded for repairs 3 times, am on 4th battery ("Infiniti" batteries are made in Mexico and last me 1-2 years.), entire left side of exhaust--engine to tailpipe--had to be replaced, one entire HID assembly replaced at less than one year, all 4 pressure gauges needed replacement, body shop did poor work and failed to cover all new paint with clear-coat, console cup holder lid requires solid thump to open, glovebox- -with 6-disc changer--has very little room, paint scratches if you look at it cross-eyed, crazing developing in f/r bumper fasciae, transmission still hesitates too much on downshifts, cruise "On" light "assembly" burned out--over $300 (Skipped it.).

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  My first car - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By fallenm0nk - November 20 - 4:50 am

  Not bad for a first car. I love the way it looks and feels. For all those who complain about how its a rough ride... you need to realize that this is a sports car and its SUPPOSED to feel that way. Dont listen to what the dealer/sticker says abouth mileage. They say 19/26 but its really more like 22 mpg MAX.

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  Infiniti M45 - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By deraye - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car for a little over a year doing predominantly highway miles and have enjoyed the power and the ride. However the car is a little large to "throw" around corners and that detracts from some of the pleasure. I have driven through three snow storms, and the rear wheel drive handles well on ice and snow. Dont care for the "manual" which essentially is an automatic that you "walk" through the gears.

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  TOTAL RECALL - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By kdocdent - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I enjoyed my Pearl White G35 for the most part. However, the stereo system was out for most of the 6 months that I had it and I was constantly getting notes that something had been recalled on the car. It was too small for trips and the last straw was getting the fuel pump recall that said not to try to restart it if it quit!!! How scary???

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  best car ever o0ut of 14 leases - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By cheezerman - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Get this car-you wont be disapointed. Incredible performance with room in theback for two car seats. No driving fast with kids though!!!!

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  What a Great Car - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By noah677 - November 18 - 6:10 am

  I have the 09 G37S coupe with the premium and sport package. What a car. I really cannot find anything to criticize. I also have a 08 911TT Cab so I know cars and power etc. The fit and finish is excellent and the interior is great. Some people criticize the 7speed auto, but honestly, I dont know why and the same goes for the interior. One feature that is cool is the music box with the 9+ GB harddisk. At first I thought it was worthless, but once you have loaded in all your CDs, no more carrying around CDs. If you have to have more status, want to pay thousands more and get less, then by all means buy a Lexus or BMW. The dealer treats you like a king, no begging for loaner.