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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  Great Car - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By imhotepsings - September 11 - 7:03 am

  Nothing but praise for a great car, from design to performance to pricing. I strongly recommend it for someone making their first luxury sedan purchase.

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  Gets the luxury basics right - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By windowphobe6 - September 6 - 5:13 am

  This car is just crammed full of features, and yet it doesnt look cluttered: everything makes sense, and everything works the way it should. It may look Japanese generic on the outside, but Im grateful for the restraint: Im not anxious to be noticed, especially in a car where sudden bursts to 90-plus mph are so effortless. Its not quite as tossable as, say, the current Infiniti G, but its a good way to get into the Infiniti Experience for next to nothing.

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  I30 - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By Kevin Lee - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for about two years, and since than I have had no problems of whatsoever. This is the ideal car. Its well worth your money.

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  Great Car - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By james_r1 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  THeres not much to say except what a great car. I am very pleased with the purchase of this vehicle and would recommend it to anyone!

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  LOVE AFFAIR CONTINUES - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By RICH ADAIR - September 5 - 10:00 am

  I HAD BEEN RESEARCHING FOR MY NEXT PURCHASE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS (TO JUSTIFY ALL OF THE AUTO MAGAZINE SUBCRIPTIONS). WAS CONVINCED MY NEXT PURCHASE WOULD BE A BMW 330i. WHEN WE DROVE ON THE LOT MY WIFE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. THE LOOKS OF THE BMW DID NOT EXCITE HER IN THE LEAST. WHEN I SHOWED HER A PICTURE OF THE G35 HER EYES LIT UP. WHEN WE TEST DROVE THE G35 IT WAS SOLD! MY FAMILY CALLS LONG DISTANCE OCCASIONALLY TO SEE WHAT PART OF THE CAR IM CLEANING OR POLISHING.

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  This car is great! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Heather M. Bilyeu - September 5 - 10:00 am

  This car is great, all around, its fun to drive , it is safe and Im very proud to own, I get comments all the time Like "Nice car"! go get one today!

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  Good Alternative to BMW, ACURA - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By speals - September 4 - 12:16 pm

  Fun Car, no problems and I just passed 50k with the car. Brakes make a lot of dust on the wheels upfront. I have every option but the nav and think the sport package(if you can find one with it) is worth the money. The car has strong, albeit touchy brakes at low speed. Gas mileage is not stellar but not bad either. Fun car on the highway as it has a big top end (mph). Paint is soft, so dont spend time in drive through car washes. Handling can be twitchy. Even with the VDC on you can throw the back end out into a powerslide without a lot of effort. It is very controllable and makes me think this would be the ideal 4dr drift car with the Limited slip my car has. Ditch the summer sport tires.

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  End of Infiniti - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By TJ - September 4 - 9:06 am

  The first few years were great but soon after the warranty of 4 years hit thats when the quarterly trips to the over priced Infiniti garage started as the check engine light seemed to turn on as if on a timer...I still have my 96 Honda Accord EX given the new Infiniti prices for the G and M...I am going back to the H...Honda.

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  Best of the bigger suvs - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By Susan - September 4 - 2:50 am

  Love the room, and very comfortable; acceleration onto major roadways is surprisingly peppy for this size. Best for long hauls or mainly highway; around town; gas mileage stinks. Best GPS system Ive ever used.

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  Replaced the GX470 - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By Harry Spooner - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I too had a GX470 which I enjoyed alot, but we needed something bigger. This defintely fits the bill. There is lots of room in the front and back. I was *very* impressed with the power and torque of the engine. I also like the ride. Firmer than the Lexus, even in their "sporty" mode. Since I purchased this vehicle, there have been lots of folks in our parking lot at work, checking it out... Eye Popping for sure. I am really looking forward to taking this on a long trip.