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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  G35 Review - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Woody_1 - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic car with excellent acceleration, beautiful cloth seats, and a truly fun car to drive.

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  Great towing - awesome truck - 2006 Infiniti QX56
  By Butch - October 20 - 8:33 am

  After researching over a year comparing Navigators, Yukons, Sequoias and others we are VERY happy we chose the QX56. We just returned from Lake Powell towing 10 hours each way, the QX made the trip seem easy. Lots of torque for towing, no problem pulling a 3,000 lb boat up long grades using AC in 115 degree heat. The load leveling worked superb! Its very quiet and comfortable and fun to drive, handles almost as good as my BMW 740. I read a lot of reviews and felt confused by the contrast of those who love and hate this truck - glad we took the chance because we love it. If you tow it is a good choice with load leveling and tow mode shifting.

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  Not Happy - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By not happy - October 19 - 5:00 am

  Leased G35X, loved it the first 6 months. Brakes cost almost $400 to replace at less then 15000 miles. I drvie very conservatively. Noise in suspension now when I pass over driveways and when I corner. Great looking; great design details. Too bad the reliability is not up to the styling.

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  Best in (a very competitive) Class - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By James - October 18 - 10:10 am

  I test drove the BMW335i, Lexus IS350, and Acura TL Type-S. Very respectable competitors with loads to offer, but... BMW shifts were rubbery, and a 10k prestige premium didn’t feel justified, especially considering reliability and repair cost. Lexus 350i was elegant inside but handling spongy. TypeS was the closest competitor for me, comparably equipped for the same price. High quality 2- tone leather, carbon fiber trim. Handled well overall, but short 20 hp and FWD just falls short of RWD kick. The G35 Sport was crisp, responsive, refined inside and out. Drove both 5A w/paddles (nifty) and 6MT (nicer!). My wife smiled as she left the 5A driver’s seat, “I see why you like this car, wow!”

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  Still the Best Midsize SUV - 2002 Infiniti QX4
  By SUV hoper - October 16 - 9:23 pm

  I have owned a 4Runner, a couple of Pathfinders and my QX4. Have also spent some time with a friends RX 330. Even though this car is now nearly 6 yrs old, I still believe it is one of the best mid-size SUVs out there. The style is still unsurpassed, great std. and optional features, excellent overall quality and reliability, and decent performance. A shame that they discontinued it. Although the undercarriage may be the same as the pathfinder (not a bad thing), it trumps the pathfinder in style and refinement. Line it up against the 07 midsize SUVs, and it would still stand out. One of the best vehicles I have owned.

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  Best SUV on the Road - 2011 Infiniti QX56
  By cory11 - October 16 - 1:30 am

  I had a 1998 Landcruiser, drove a sedan for a while and then bought a 2010 Toyota 4-runner. I wanted something more luxurious so I started looking at SUVs. Range Rover, LX570, Navigator and Escalade (nothing else really out there). I drove the QX and loved it! Great power, fabulous interior, excellent exterior! I bought one and have put only 200 miles on it, but it is clearly the best SUV on the road!

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  Dont miss my 540i - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By bentrodri - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Had initial hesitation about going from a 540i to the G35. Had to get used to a new torque curve, but this is a quick car. Dealer experience is wonderful, especially after the arrogant BMW sales and service. Dont miss the $1000 repair bills either. Do miss the wider tires but the G35 handles well. Looked at the LS v-8 and CTS, but there was nothing even close, dollar for dollar.

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  G35 Coupe Black Beast - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By jbang - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Interestingly enough I did not expect this car to impress me this way even after all the reviews that I read and research that I did. However I can say that every day that I get in it I have been finding something else to be proud of, and as picky as I am that is no small feat indeed. This thing is so chock full of torque, that anyone who buys anything else who is looking for raw power at under 50 grand has just got to be kidding me.

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  QX60 transmission failure @ 300 miles - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By dmitryo - October 12 - 4:13 pm

  Worst experience ever, Transmission failed after 300 miles. Infiniti refuses to replace the car. Car is in the shop longer than was at my house. Customer care does not return calls and this has lasted over a month now. Had very scary experience entering the highway when transmission gave out.

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  My second G - 2013 Infiniti G Sedan
  By slonedigitty - October 12 - 10:06 am

  This is the second G Sedan X that I have owned. My first was an 07 G35X and I loved it! I just traded it in and got an 13 G35X. You wont regret the decision of buying this car. Great price backed up by reliability and great customer service. I didnt have one problem with my first G and it had 68,000 miles on it when I traded her in. My only issue would be that the interior and exterior styling hasnt changed very much even in 6 years! But, I guess you dont wanna mess with success. And as far as performance goes, you will not be disappointed. With an avg of 20mpg and 0-60 in the low 5.0 range you cant lose. And lastly, the Bose system and interface is amazing.