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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  Acura TL S-Type? Not even close... - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By smooth - March 4 - 10:00 am

  well maybe that is a stretch as the TL is a fine vehicle and a good value. But the G35 looks classier, drives nicer, has a better sounding Bose sound system, and brakes that are truly awesome. I admit I liked the "sound" of the TL engine better under full throttle (TL sounds more muscular), but Im not out to be noticed so no big deal there. Bottom line is I got all the bells & whistles...Nav, leather, sports suspension, winter package, Xenon lights, etc and got it for thousands less than the BMW, Lexus or Benz. Total cost was fractionally over $39K and well worth it!

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  At Last! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Mark Cohen - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Im 57 years old and have owned 22 cars, and my 2003 Infiniti G35 is by far the most complete vehicle Ive ever owned. It is the perfect combination of all the luxury one would want (without getting silly) and the kind of performance and handling that makes any trip - from a run to the grocery store to an Interstate cruise - something to look forward to. I love this car!

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  Best Car I ever Leased - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Howard - March 2 - 1:10 am

  The excellent Motor Trend and Car & Driver reviews were accurate. I purchased a fully optioned G35 Coupe with Sport Tuned Suspension etc. I could have purchased a BMW 330i for a little bit more expense but am confident that I have the better value, style and performance (i.e. better braking figures and acceleration etc.)

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  Getaway Car - 2004 Infiniti M45
  By kevin 5 - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Car shopping last weekend, drove this with the dealer saleswoamn in the back seat. Impressively fast and nimble for any car, let alone a heavy one, I found it could comfortably double recommended highway exit ramp speeds w/o noticeable oversteer or tire complaint. The silent V8 had real thrust to adjust high-speed handling and accelerate from 100+ mph. As the owner of an 01 M Coupe, I tend to like odd-duck styling. My impression? This car is fun and off beat. (And probably superior to the E-class my father owns - he thinks so.) I was guessing this was what a Tokyo gangster must drive.

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  Satisfied - 2004 Infiniti I35
  By Infiniti customer - February 27 - 2:00 am

  awesome car for awesome price. Was all set to by Acura TSX, and drove this at last minute. Smoother ride, more back seat room, and almost as sporty looking.

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  Should be SUV of the year - 2008 Infiniti QX56
  By Julie - February 26 - 8:46 am

  I love my QX!! We made deal on 2007 then they got their first 2008 in, one look and I had to have it! changes are incredible and the 2008 QX should be SUV of the year. Beautiful inside, beautiful out...we love all the chrome! Luxury top notch. Love the bluetooth capability, the power 3rd row seats, intellicruise, music box is awesome. I buy all my songs on itunes and then load them in, we love that feature! Leather is beautiful, controls are perfectly placed and the power of this baby is hard to beat. First time I stepped on the gas, it gave new meaning to stepping on it. I feel safe with my children in this SUV and we couldnt be happier to be driving this SUV. It deserves more credit!

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  BMW, time to get your R&D to work 24 hrs - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By phal - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I own a Q45. My wife owns a 02 BMW 325 convertible. I took the test drive of the G35. front exterior: great rear exterior: suits G35 coupe better. The inline-6 BMW engines are the smoothest. But the 3.5 VQ series engine of the G35 can rival the smoothness. But powerwise, definitely the 3.5 larger bore engine gets the nod. 3 series is better than G35 in 3 points: 1. steering feel, very tight and precise. 2. 3er is lower, looks wider and very firm and definitive suspension. 3. The seats are real ugly and unsupportive for a sports car. Take 350zs seats.

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  I love this car! - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By mbeirwagen - February 22 - 5:26 pm

  I have been driving luxury vehicles since 1995 and I am absolutely blown away with my M45. Once I understood how to run the controls which are a little intimidating, I have been on the ride of my life....Watch out for cops. The interior is finally luxury for an Infiniti. This is my 5th Infiniti and the others ones had a very plastic interior. Not this one! So much better than the GS 430. You really must treat yourself!

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  Performance for people who KNOW cars. - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Young Professional - February 22 - 10:00 am

  This is not your dime-a-dozen, dull Honda or Toyota utilitarian sedan. GET this: REAR wheel drive, Front Midship 3.5L V6 engine, 4 wheel ind. susp., PERFORMANCE luxury sedan with emphasis on PERFORMANCE (more than enough oomph to get one into trouble with law enforcement if one isnt careful). If youre looking for a soft riding, FWD, brake diving, body rolling mainstream/me-too sedan....LOOK ELSEWHERE!!!

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  Power Meets Luxury - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By Clovis Kid - February 21 - 9:53 pm

  A big improvement over my 1999 I30. Very powerful engine with 255hp climbs the hills with ease. Comfortable drivers seat supports the back and allows for long drives without a backache. All controls easy to use. Navigation system with voice instructions get me where I am going without having to look at paper maps. Outstanding, powerful Bose stereo with AM/FM with RDS, cassette, and 6-disc CD changer with 7 speakers (including a 9-inch Bose woofer) and automatic speed-volume control that compensates for road noise. Outstanding automatic climate control keeps interior at a comfortable temperature. HID headlights really light up the road ahead.