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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  wish I purchased foreign - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By Ivette - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I fell in love with the QX56 when I drove it and loved the way it handled so we purchased it. I should have known this SUV was not a good thing when I noticed the armrest on the second row were unraveling. Since then we have had a squeak in the sunroof/DVD section that is unbarable. Its been in the shop 3 times for that.The navigation system stopped working after 1 1/2 months.The back roof panel has fallen down, the radio dial popped out above the DVD screen, the flat tire waring light comes on and there are no flat tires.The brakes and rotors replaced twice in 11600 miles.Been in shop for 48 days so far (still in shop).Parts always on back-order.Dealers been great/Infiniti has not!!!

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  Greatest SUV Ive ever had!!! - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By silveradohd - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Folks, I test drove the following: Lexus 470, mercedes M500 and G500, Range Rovers, Lincolns, Escalade, Hummer H1 and H2, VW Toureg, and QX56. I enjoyed the QX56, Toureg, and H2 in that order. The rest didnt feel right to me. I have had my QX56 for one month and 1100 miles and absolutely love it. I had it at my ranch doing off road chores and the low range was excellent (not offered on some of the luxury boats) I got 18.7 round trip in mileage in the first 1000 will get better as things break in somewhat. For record I have owned a Escalade and two H1s and never again will own another of them.

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  BMW Owners Strike - 2002 Infiniti QX4
  By Consumer - February 12 - 3:46 am

  Debates rage for the holidays. Are American cars quality pieces of machinery or do the import manufacturers build em better? Should off-road capability determine the winner of an SUV test in a country where nobody drives off the road? Should we start a Liz Kim fan club, or not? Real head scratchers, these.

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  Poor fuel economy - 2013 Infiniti JX
  By icc2012 - February 11 - 8:46 pm

  Ive been driving the car for about 500 miles and I get under 12 mpg combined highway/city in Sport mode. What is even more outrageous is that if I drive in normal or eco mode all I get is under 9 mpg. Is this other owners experience or this particular vehicle has an issue? Planning to take it back to dealership to check whats going on. Also, sometimes the satellite radio reception in poor? Anybody else having this issue?

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  Great SUV - 1997 Infiniti QX4
  By M Wilson - February 11 - 6:43 am

  This SUV has been a great car to own. It has been completely reliable with no time in the shop for anything. All the bells and whistles still work perfectly and is shines up nicely.

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  21st Century Q - 2002 Infiniti Q45
  By CatLover - February 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is fast! Almost as fast as my 2001 supercharged Jaguar XJR. The Q has a soft, luxury car ride, however, which my wife and I greatly appreciate on long trips. The interior of this car is not as luxurious as the Jaguar, but is quite plush and superior to the LS430 in my opinion. Build quality is excellent and there have been no defects or problems in the year that I have owned it.

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  g35 - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By fdgdf - February 10 - 2:00 am

  great car with tons of standard features. accelaration is amazing and the quality is unbeatable.

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  So-So.... - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By pontiacdude4 - February 8 - 8:20 pm

  You will have issues with this car... I bought a 2002 with very low miles, 45k, for $8,900. Interior is awsme, its fast, pretty comfortable. BUT.. engine mounts, seat jams, doors dont close well, turning radius, cruise control goes, and now the dreaded A/T light with transmission slip. Looked online, goods news, might not be AT, but sensors (was a recall). Either way, $$.

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  Awesome family Hauler - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By carlover86 - February 8 - 6:57 pm

  Bought this car a few months ago. Very happy. My wife is the primary driver. This is an outstanding family hauler. Lots of room. Nice moonroof over the second row. Beautiful interior/exterior. Excellent pick up in sports mode. Average in normal mode and horrible in eco mode. Got all the bells and whistles. Laser cruise control works like a gem. All the technology creates force field around car with distance control assist, blind spot intervention, back collision assist, and lane keeping. Test drove acura mdx and lexus rx 450h and this provided better price/value/safety features with equal quality. Ride quality is outstanding and noise level very low.

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  2008 G35 Sedan 6MT Great Ride!! - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By jg - February 8 - 5:46 pm

  Before everything else, test drive this car right away. It feels superior to drive and handles excellent. Gas mileage is surprisingly efficient. Driving with the 6 speed manual transmission is a little tricky as the car feels extra responsive to your every move so it can take a little getting used to even though Ive driven a manual for years.