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 suv from infinti - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By abruzz - February 15 - 10:00 am

  we just purchased the infiniti qx56....i call it our man-sized suv...we own an infinti qx4, and i would have suvs drive next to me that seemed 2 feet taller....now i see eye to eye or look down on all of them....the suv handles very well for a big boy...the only problem is that you really need to keep both hands on the wheel when driving in curves..the suv seems to want to take off if you dont....inside and out the qx56 is awesome!!! i highly recommend this suv.

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  Head said BMW 330i, heart said G35 coupe - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By JB - February 8 - 1:03 am

  On paper, the G35 has the BMW 330i beat. but the reality is slightly different. Both are very good cars but the BMW is - technically - better: the handling, build quality and interior are simply better - BMW have had many years to perfect this car. Also, although the G35 has more out and out power than the 330i, thats misleading. The peak torque arrives at a lower RPM in the BMW which means in practice that the G35 is not quite as fast from a standing start. Once it gets going (above 4000rpm), the G35 is very fast but isnt as much fun or as easy as the BMW to "point-and-and-squirt", especially around town. All said, I bought the G35 because I didnt want to be another BMW driver...

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  Sweet Drive - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By coolwheel - February 6 - 4:40 pm

  Before I decided for this car I considered the Audi TT, Corvette and 350Z I decided for this because the 2 extra seats in the back, my only complaint is that the clutch is to stiff compared to the Audi,BMW or any other card I have driven and it is placed to far from the seat I am 511" but I think I got the best money can buy for this type of car I love and enjoy driving it.

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  Fun Summer Ride look out for snow - 2004 Infiniti M45
  By wcosmo - January 29 - 7:23 am

  poor in snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! outstanding dry road conditions, fun to drive voice control not used after second week

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  Bought it used and love it - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By Nito - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a 2008 in 2010 to replace my 2006 ML 350 because it wasnt very fun to drive. This G35 has been so much more fun. Dont know what I was thinking when I bought the MB. I hated driving when I had it. This car has restored my love of driving. Best car Ive owned so far.

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  happiness is - 1998 Infiniti I30
  By i30tgreatinbham,al - January 17 - 12:56 am

  I30t with 85000 miles...no bad experiences. will agree with hard transmission shifting at times... but has the get up and go, maintenance costs overall not much more than other used vehicles. Also happy with gas mileage, do not plan to get rid of soon... ps... car is very quiet in my opinion... happy in birmingham...

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  20,000 mile review - 2004 Infiniti I35
  By AJ - January 9 - 12:40 am

  I bought my 2004 Infiniti I35 in October of 2008 with 45,000 miles from an Infiniti dealer. I now have 66,000 miles on the car. I think the car has ample power although I would have liked to see more. I would expect better gas mileage, I drive mostly city and get only 17 MPG. I like the size of the car, it has plenty of room front and rear. I like the rear sunshade it keeps the car cool and gives some privacy. The Bose sound system is really nice.

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  Good performance for the $$ - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Maurice - January 3 - 3:00 pm

  Impressive to drive (wife likes it a lot after driving Buick LeSabres most of her life). Great acceleration with 5 speed automatic. Like the sunroof and leather (heated front seats). Brake dust, particularly on front rims, is annoying. Brake pads also needed replacing before 20,000 miles.

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  Great look...but tons of problems - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Redhead in MKE - January 2 - 12:36 am

  I loved the G35 style long before my purchase. I found a G35 sedan and couldnt pass it up. Im in WI and knew a new all-weather tire would be a must and for the first winter is was no problem getting through the snow (with new tires and 150# of sand in the trunk). This car looks great, but I have never had to put soooo much money into a car before. New brakes at 45K, then less than @ 60K had to replace passenger side lower control arm and now at 66K have to replace driver side lower control arm. And on top of it, Ive lost control of the center counsel. I will NEVER BUY Nissan/Infiniti again. I expected better quality from a luxury vehicle!

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  Almost perfect - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Art - January 1 - 4:23 pm

  Upgraded from an old Acura CL recently and purchased a used 07 G35 Sport 6MT. The power of the engine and RWD really make a difference. I am never going back to FWD. Although I originally was shopping for a coupe, I really like the sedan better. Performance and handling are great and still have room for the kids in the back. Lots of space and high end materials inside. Excellent Bose stereo. The nav works great too.