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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  Good Riddance - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Good Riddance! - November 16 - 10:40 pm

  Ive owned many new cars over my lifetime and I can honestly say this has been by far the biggest dissapointment I have ever had. There is nothing worse than making a $500 car payment on a car that you are not thrilled with. Yes the exterior is phenomenal, but I felt like I was dating a supermodel without a brain or personality. The auto tranny was terrible(the manual isnt much better), the interior highly UNrefined, and the suspension very crude, having plenty of grip, but too harsh for roads here in New England. I guess if you drive in warm climates with no potholes, or havent been treated to having cars with some refinement, Im sure the car will be fine for you. No hard feelings.

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  Nice car - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By Sina - November 8 - 12:16 am

  I bought my I35 last year and I have put 25k on it so far. Other than the regular maintenance only other thing I did for it is the rad replacement. Overall Ive had a good experience with it, other than the known problems such as turning radius and fuel efficiency, Infiniti has done a good job. Very spacious room front and back. Too much similarity in interior parts with Maxima and Altima, is this supposed to be a luxury sedan. Sound system really stinks!

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  g35 sc 6 speed - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By gjr23 - November 6 - 2:00 am

  great looks. excellent performance. it makes me feel like people are looking at this car even when they arent!

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  Smooth, but oil leak problems - 2000 Infiniti Q45
  By RBI - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Great riding car, super comfort, large boat-like plush ride. Awesome as family car or cross country cruiser, but had problems with oil leak. Thank goodness I purchased under warranty.

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  Not a disappointment - 1998 Infiniti I30
  By Todd Thomas - October 30 - 4:16 am

  We have owned this car for over 8 years with minimal repairs (less than $1500 in that eight years). It now has over 250K miles and we drive it every day with no serious issues. Of course it is showing the wear of the years/miles, but still a very dependable car.

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  Great value, still not quite first tier - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By Paul Rogers - October 28 - 3:03 am

  I have come to the M45 after 12 years of owning much higher-end luxry performance cars: Mercedes SL55, Jaguar XJR, Acura NSX. The M45 won me over with the only interior design comparable to the first-tier cars, and very reasonable performance for a 4 door sedan. Exterior design is uninspiring, sharing far too much with the Nissan Altima and Maxima. Highs: interior design, wheels, ride comfort, seating room, performance capability, value. Mediums: steering response, exterior styling, exterior fit and finish, paint quality, audio Lows: interior fit and finish (relative to class); buggy XM radio implementation; rear shade is $5000 option (because it is bundled with rear video screen)

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  Q45 - 2002 Infiniti Q45
  By Southern Illinois - October 27 - 10:00 am

  When I took delivery of car there were several recalls or service upgrades that the dealer had not addressed. It had a defective wheel(out of round) which dealer refused to warrant. Rear sunshade broke at 33,000 miles. Electronics malfunction occasionally requiring you to turn off car and reset. Easier to use manual controls rather than voice as I cant remember exact wording and everyone must stop talking. Car magazine tests show about 6.5 to 60. Fast but a long way from 5.9. Needs switch to turn off traction control. My last car was Lexus LS400 which was superior in quality, dealer service and workmanship. Not holding value.

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  I love this car! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Woodsy - October 16 - 3:50 am

  This car is great. It is very stylish and the exhaust sounds amazing. I turn heads all the time. Other people think the car costs a lot more than what I really paid for it...our secret! lol! It has excellent performance...280 HP and 270 lb/ft Torque.

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  Overall Review in my Opinion - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Eddie W - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Ordered this car today (aka Japans Nissan Skyline 350GT). Quite impressed with the test drive for its performance. Those of you have hard time deciding this car and the 3-Series should considered this. Same class, cheaper with more powerful engine and you can fully equiped this car for a 4000-6000 less compairing to the 3 Series.

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  g35 - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By duncanidaho - October 4 - 10:00 am

  Best car of its class