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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  Excellent overall vehicle - 1999 Infiniti I30
  By mysecretavatar - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This is a very reliable and quiet car. It is also very good looking, much better looking than its Maxima cousin. Its safety features are not great compared to todays best family cars such as VW Passat or even the new Altima (no side curtain airbag option, no standard traction control and mediocre IIHS offset crash test results).

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  After 3 Maximas, pleased with I30 - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By JJK - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive been a long-time Maxima loyalist, attracted mostly by a good ratio of luxury to performance, and adequate head room since Im > 6 ft. The I30 was a nice step-up, I had everything I loved about the Maxima with a bit more snob-factor and better service at the dealership. Ive been very happy... Anyone is welcome to send e-mail for more info.

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  very fun, luxurious, sporty car - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By ffaattccaatt2 - October 22 - 10:56 pm

  So I bought a used 04 coupe w/optional 5AT. So far Ive loved every part of it, its very fun to drive, very easy to modify if your into those type of things, very pleasing to the eyes. A few problems I have found with the car are that I have two problems with the windows, one has a lazy motor and one has a cliping problems, sometimes when I close the passenger door the window rolls halfway down a second later (sometimes I dont notice). Other problems I have had are minor (seat height control stoped working). But over all I love this car, very fast, kinda bad on gas but thats what you get for how much power you get. I am very happy with my G!

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  Lots of room to improve - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By MissMyIntrepid - October 20 - 4:20 pm

  Infiniti falls short in so many areas. The controls are a foot away from the display for what youre changing (A/C, stereo), the A/C controls are non-intuitive. Bumper paint doesnt match. Dash lights dont match. Body and trim panels vary in fit. Front sport seats are too tight for an average (180 lb) adult. Bad clutch - in for recall today. Cheap floor mats are almost worn out! 14 bolts/plastic cover to replace oil filter and change oil. Front chrome grill easy to chip. Moon roof trim falls out. Redundant service disply in console and in dash. Cheap analog clock should be digital for quick read. Leather not as soft as previous year. Little storage in cabin. Stereo FM separation very poor.

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  LOVE MY NEW TOY! - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By BARBARA - October 20 - 10:53 am

  Just purchased my 2008 Infiniti G35S Journey on 01/24/08. I dont have any cons to report except for the snug interior and narrow seats, but thats why they call it a sports sedan. This car ROCKS! It is very fast and a very attractive vehicle. I traded in a 2007 Maxima SE and havent looked back since. My G35 turns heads and at takeoff will pin your head back. I wish I could find a raceway so that I can really stretch it out. I would highly recommend this vehicle for anyone whos in the market for a car well worth the money. Its cheaper than a Lexus and the BMW. Neither one of them compares as far as price and performance are concerned.

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  Better Than All Competitors - 2008 Infiniti M45
  By Mouseclick - October 19 - 4:30 pm

  After thoroughly reviewing several cars from BMW (3 and 5 series), Jaguar (XF), Mercedes (C class), Lexus (IS F), I settled upon the M45 sport, almost fully loaded (lacks mobile DVD system). Some of these cars are like comparing apples to oranges but, the M45 above all others is best in overall value to performance – it has the best of all worlds. It offers great performance, plenty of space, excellent design and the best technology features of anyone. While all the other cars were always sorely lacking in some features (for example, the IS F lacks space, the Jag lags in technology, etc.), the M45 simply glimmers best in everything overall, and at a respectable price comparatively.

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  Great Car!!! - 2004 Infiniti Q45
  By Johnney - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful! Many standard features. Bordering on opulent! Very quiet, smooth ride, and cool voice recognition for navagation, radio, and climate controls. Great car!

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  A lot of car for the money! - 2004 Infiniti M45
  By Enrico Gamboa - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I wanted a Mercedes E500 since Ive been driving Mercedes cars three years, but it stickers for $63k with the options I like. I decided to look at the 2003 Infiniti M45. The performance is fantastic! It looks great inside with plenty of new tech equipment and the exterior design is classic and modern. It has 340 hp compared to 302 hp in the Mercedes E500 and $17000 less on the MSRP. WOW!!! I love this car.

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  Roses Toy - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By Gerald Keeney - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Spacious interior with look of luxury; touring model is quick, flat performer, gives confidence while driving; standard and optional features top quality . Excess air-intake noise on hard acceleration; under-hood noise when a/c is turned on; small knobs.

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  Great driving car! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By krr - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great looking and fun to drive car that handles beautifully. It has terrific acceleration and is a joy to drive. The dealer service has been superb.