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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  "Big" But Outstanding SUV - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By Bear - February 5 - 1:06 am

  Overall Im very satisfied with the big Inifiti SUV. Edmunds is right about this beast being thirsty but I knew this when I bought it. Very good build quality. Very nice interior.

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  08 G35xS - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By Mark - February 4 - 11:50 pm

  Trading in my 2005 G35 6MT that I upgraded from 298HP to 350HP for a 2008 G35xS was a bit concerning because I wanted the same horse power feel and was concerned the sedan would lack the feeling one with the car experience. I also needed something for winter. I will say Im really surprised by how responsive the automatic 306HP of the sedan deploys itself. Having said that, I HIGHLY recommend anyone getting this car to the G35xS, which adds the 18" wheels and the paddle shifters. I will say the car comes to life when in manual mode, much differently then just driving in automatic. With that I will say Im quite happy and the car now provides the same confidence my previous G did.

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  Best money spent - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By andyatlexus - February 4 - 10:00 am

  We use this car daily driver. The versatility of the folding rear seat give us room that we use without sacrificing performance. We are very happy we didnt go with the 350Z. The car handled extremely well last winter having new tires and the skid control system. We have been most happy with its ability to get to 100+mph and it sure footed handling at all speeds and in all weather. Although I would like to have a little more tire howl before system intervention. Aslo can get a little noisy for long road trips. Bonus is the great stereo.

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  hello - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By sharvi - February 4 - 10:00 am

  the cAR IS AWESOME ITS AN INEXPENSIVE SPORTS CAR THAT PERFORMS LIKE A BMW EXCEPT, SIMPLY THE BEST

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  Great sports car alternative - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Nkoonce - February 4 - 12:50 am

  Have had the car for a year and it is just as much fun to drive today as it was the day I bought it. Handles great and the sports car sound makes it even more fun. Has a surprising amount of interior space. Gets alot of attention.

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  Our Fourth Infiniti - 2013 Infiniti M
  By J. K. Shutsa - February 3 - 1:59 am

  While we came to own our fourth Infiniti literally by accident, after a snow plow truck/plow totaled our 14 Q50, it has been love at first sight. We rescued our Obsidian Black, 2013 M37xS from three feet of snow. We drove the 100 miles home in complete confidence, yet another snowstorm, in the sure footed AWD traction. While we dislike the low profile tires, noisy for old people (didnt see those in the three feet of snow) the acceleration, handling and sheer pleasure of driving more than makes up for its lack of quiet. We are in month 29 of a 39 month lease and will likely get another Infiniti but unsure of which model. The downsides of this uniquely sporty model M are: mileage/gas costs, rims that every curb attacks, complicated navigation system, no 360 camera like the 14 Q50 had.

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  I like it better than my BMW - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By Karl - February 3 - 1:20 am

  Hadnt planned on buying the G35 - always lusted after it, though. I bought an 06 325i. Frustrated, dumped it in 08, too many trips to the shop! Looked at the Maxima (never a fan, but liked the new look in 09) LOVED it, but couldnt pay $37K--more than the G. Drove the G, power kicks the 325. Who needs this sort of power? The brakes, lovely, the growl, exhilarating and no tranny lag when punched. Smooth, sure footed (though not as much on mountain roads as the BMW) and quiet. The drive train hump encroaches into the foot-well so front passengers left leg/foot tilts at an odd angle. Front doors close solidly, rear doors sound tinny.

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  My New G - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By Boston Infiniti - February 2 - 10:30 am

  Traded in a Nissan Murano (wanted something a little more sporty) and have been extremely impressed with the performance of this car. Ride is sporty without being too firm and the fit and finish is fantastic throughout. If youre looking at this car, I highly recommend the navigation package as the Music Box hard drive (stores music to the car) is a great feature. The only downside to this package is the trunk-mounted cd changer that takes up valuable trunk space. Overall this is a great alternative to the BMW 3 series and the value factor can not be beat.

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  Everything and more.. - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By GMan - January 30 - 10:06 am

  Have had this car about a month with 1800 miles on it and I love it. Its the best of both worlds, you can just cruise or drive it hard and it responds flawlessly no matter what! The 7AT helps with the gas mileage and is fun to drive in the manual mode! Coming from a Maxima I expect the same reliability as well.

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  Great Car - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By berg4500 - January 29 - 9:33 am

  I bought my car used and I have researched everything and anything about the G35x. It is a great car. Smooth, quiet, fun to drive. The AWD is amazing in the winter weather. Once equipped with winter tires and rims instead of All Season tires this car will be a beast through the snow and ice. As expected it is hard on gas. Again I looked into the fuel efficiency before hand.