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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  Still Cant Find What Im Looking For... - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By Mark Z. - November 10 - 11:36 am

  After a disappointing Escalade ownership experience, gave the Japanese Mfrs. a try. The QX56 won us over with their features, gizmos, and inventive seats. The test drive did not reveal some immediate issues we discovered on our fist trip: the truck rides hard, even on highway, had to reduce tire pressure to make it acceptable. The road disturbances excite the truck body which resonates the interior with an uncomfortable sound. (shoulda used thicker steel) The overhead console rattled (had replaced). The brakes replaced 3 times - never admitted that they undersized the rotors. Temp. controls are counter-intuitive. Seats are flat w/ little side & head support - Nissan Armadas are better!

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  Sexiest Coupe on the Road - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Stinger - November 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is unbelievably sexy and handles and performs like a true sports car. I really feel like Im driving a high quality, high performance car. I look forward to putting more miles on it. I just cant stop driving it!

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  I love to it - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By counselor83 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the G35 for a month and its all true. Power,acceleration, handling its all there. I had to play hard ball but got the all 9 yards including Aero Package and beat edmunds price buy 1500.

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  G35 - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By ANN WOOD - November 7 - 7:13 am

  Great car! All wheel drive is amazing up north, interior is very luxurious, much nicer than my old BMW.

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  A sports car marketed as an SUV - 2016 Infiniti QX50
  By bill p - November 5 - 5:31 pm

  This is a great car priced thousands below the competition. This is our third EX/QX50, and we bought this one for the technology package, and the extra 4 inches in length. The car has not disappointed. You are essentially getting the equivalent of a fully equipped Porsche Macan at essentially half the price. The 0-60 time is just short of the Porsche Cayman. The reviewers are critical of the cramped cabin, outside visibility, dated interior styling and the package pricing. To them I say do they criticize Porsche over a cramped cabin and outside visibility? Have they ever attempted to build a Porsche online, where seemingly even the steering wheel is extra? Package pricing should be a welcome addition. To me simple is better, and that includes the interior styling and lack of complexity. In the QX50, you can actually turn on the radio, and change the volume and the station with one push of the button - how novel. And in comparison with the same class of vehicle, where is the consideration of cost and reliability? This car is not perfect. It now needs a power lift gate and better fuel economy, and the Navigation System needs to work better. We use our $400 Garmin Nuvi instead of the Nav. Also, the power rear seats are a joke. But, all in all, a great car, which we would/and have bought again in a heartbeat. Somehow, Nissan, having been in this segment since the beginning, has not marketed this vehicle correctly, and that is a shame.

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  Top notch highway cruiser - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By bahnstormer - November 5 - 3:06 pm

  Recently pulled the I30 out from an almost 3-year garaged hiatus and it still looks fresh after all these years though the paint has seen better days. Cruises effortlessly on European highways with cruise control set at nearly 100mph. Excellent midrange power at the expense of fuel economy. Suspension is tuned for comfort; car gets unsettled during small-radius backroads turns. After 60,000 miles only problem has been with O2 sensor, otherwise trouble- free. I can foresee keeping this car for at least another 5 years. The Bose radio alone merits this, though the rear parcel shelf mounted subwoofer can become boomy. Otherwise, great value, great car.

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  Great Car - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Lorrikg - November 5 - 2:23 am

  I test drove a lot of cars and this is the best car for your dollar. It is fun to drive and the best mix of sport and luxury.

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  Classy fun to drive car - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By usmcgunner - November 3 - 10:36 am

  This car has performed just as I had expected, great. Ive driven it 500 miles and so far so good, no complaints here. I most enjoy the power of the engine. The seats are very comfortable and good design. It has just the right amount of accessories on the base model, straight forward no complicated luxury packages to choose from. Best of all there are many mods to add a few more H.P.!!

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  Excellant car - 2004 Infiniti I35
  By Beauty - November 1 - 11:26 pm

  Great car. Have had many Maximas previously. This is even more reliable, comfortable and fun to drive than they were. No problems with it. I have put over 35,000 miles on it with only oil changes. The alloy wheels do lose air if a pot hole is hit. Other than that no complaints.

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  A Japan BMW, sure. But better? - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Joe - November 1 - 9:33 pm

  My wife drives 05 Lexus ES330 while I drive 05 Infinite Q45. I had chances to drive a loaned 06 G35x for total length about 4 weeks (due to services of my Q). I agreed as every one says so far. But 3 shortcomings I have to mention: 1) Eng/Trans noisy; 2) hard suspension/very bumpy on the road; 3) steering is so tighten, you just cannot do single hand steering while turning. It is a great sport car, but not for family or long-distance commute. I had lots fun with it. For $38K, my wife and kids like the Lexus far better. BTW,I love my Q (100X better than G). If I have to spend $38K, I will buy a used Q45 for sure (diff btw Q & G is like day & night). Well, maybe not fair, for a Q owner to review G