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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  Fast almost-luxury - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By idahoivan - May 17 - 5:43 pm

  Car is now 9 months old with 17K miles. Still great fun to drive, but with a few quibbles. Front passenger window shakes at 45+ mph. Radio reception is OK compared to 98 Acura TL I had before. Have smashed my hand between the gear shifter and the ashtray door when charging my phone in the ashtray (ouch!) Would highly recommend as a used car - so much fun!

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  great value - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By dws - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Beautifully built, Very comfortable, Quiet smooth powerful drive train, Good value when compared with Lexus ES300, and Acure TL, After driving it 12,000 miles I feel I made a good choice.

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  Good but not Great - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Mike - May 11 - 11:26 pm

  Acceleration onto the freeway is top notch. Comfortable cock pit, but its a tight fit, even for a small guy like me. The paint could hold up to chips and dings better and you have to change the break pads about every 15k to 20k depending on your driving habits.

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  great value - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Johnnie B - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Car does everything I ask with no complaints. Large savings over competition with at least equal results. Arrive quickly and refreshed every time no matter the road. Would definately buy again

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  What is the smell in this car - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By Digga - May 5 - 10:00 am

  We have had this I35 gold pkg sport pkg since 02 Have had it back to the dealership at least five times. They have taken sun roof out three times, The sun shade off four times, they can not find where the smell comes from, it smells like mold but they think it has something to do with the glue from the interior roof The car drives great But we seem to go thru BRAKES

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  G35 - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By PaulDevlin - May 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is excellent; fun to drive, powerful, luxurious, sporty. I have no complaints. The car had a braking problem immediately after purchase.

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  Great Car - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By cst - May 1 - 5:23 pm

  This is a remarkable car. I cant get over how well the Sport stick through corners. The active steering is a real bonus for "spirited" driving. Everything works well, although the lane departure warning can be annoying.

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  The hybrid is a scam - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By qx60_scam - April 22 - 12:09 pm

  Sticker on it was 25 City / 28 Hwy. Actual has been around 16 City / 21 Hwy, no better than the all-gas version, which is $3,000 cheaper. The fuel gauge often jumps from 1/4 tank to empty, and the display goes from ~50 miles to "---". The hybrid battery gauge has 6 bars and a charge indicator. At stops it frequently runs the engine without charging battery, even though the charge is only at 2-3 bars. The only time Ive seen the battery charged over 5 bars was on a long downhill trip where it charged with regenerative braking. Had the car 3 months and didnt even know it went up to 6 bars until that trip. The dealership has been evasive and unable to address the above issues.

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  Sad to let this car go, but... - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By litman - April 21 - 12:16 am

  Had my 05 G for 68 months. Sold it last week and got a 12 G37 sedan. I always loved the smooth, feminine lines of the 03-06 Gs. The interior was a bit squeaky and I never really liked the orange gauge lights,but I never had any mechanical issues until recently, when the car was nearly 9 years old. Then the power seat switch failed ($1,700) and the power adjustment for the steering column failed too. Personally, when electrical issues start cropping up, I ditch the car. The car was great for what it was - a sport sedan. Rear seat room was a little tight, but I feel I got my moneys worth for the car, my favorite so far. We have had five Infinitis and two Nissans through the years.

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  Nice, comfortable car - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By craigk - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Overall, a good vehicle to own. See my comment s under favorite features and suggested improvements.