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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  G35 Wisconsin - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By ashmansr - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Excellent over vehicle. The traction and stability controls works well in Wisconsin snow and ice and compares well to front wheel drive autos. A fast crisp handling car that is neutral in tight fast turns right up to the limit of the car. Recommend to anyone that has previous performance sedan experience and compares favorably to BMW for thousands less money. Would definitely buy again. Less favorable traits, stiff suspension makes for a more choppy ride. Rear Seat comfort is adequate but not great for anyone approaching 6 ft. Truck space is smallish for a sedan of this size due to the suspension and rear wheel drive.

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  Enjoying the ride - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By AZ Driver - January 19 - 10:46 pm

  Hit the 2 year/30K mile mark and thought a review was in order. Journey model with sport, premium, Nav, and technology package. Fun to drive, handles well, accelerates without difficulty, beautiful to look at especially the interior. Negatives are the tires wear quickly (not unexpected), small blind spot on driver side, the front exterior dings easily from rock chips (as does the grill), and the 6 disc changer decreases the opening in the trunk to get things in/out. No problems with the dealership but havent had any issues to deal with.

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  The G35x "Black Beauty"- 6 Months Later - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Almatti - January 18 - 11:36 am

  After 6 months of use, the cars pros and cons become more obvious. Love the power, handling and braking with an excellent turning circle. Driving over wet leaves, the 4WD system is flawless and solid. The ride comfort is excellent for a sporty sedan of this size. Acceleration is too touchy at standing start and the manual mode auto does have quirks: 3rd gear is abrupt up and down; cant seem to figure out how the speed sensing wipers work (maybe they dont); the non-navi LCD screen could have been put to even better more extensive use for driver info.

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  My 2003 M45 - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By PREFECTO - January 18 - 6:56 am

  I have 22k miles and see puffs of blue smoke on almost every startup. Have scheduled car to have an oil consumption test performed by Dealer. I know the car is using at least a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Dealer has already de-carbonated the engine! To NO satisfaction the blue smoke still appears on EVERY start. They tell me its the advanced oiling system providing more oil in the valvetrain area and just burnoff. Ive Called Infiniti direct, regarding breaking problems. Rotors warped, had to be replaced! Car was only two months old and had to have a new battery! I have spoken to Infiniti Consumer Affairs on three different occassions, which in my case, it has worked!

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  X35GX - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By zdwg - January 17 - 5:30 pm

  wikid grippy ride got my silverstone with charcoal inside spoiler and premium with nav... any others out there? i chose this over the coupe.... in auto/tiptron.

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  Infiniti Q45 - 2003 Infiniti Q45
  By Lbh2361 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is a pleasure to drive and to be inside. It is appointed with great luxuries. The voice recognition system is supeb, convenient, and a great safety feature. I used to own a BMW 5 Series. This is the best car that I have ever had.

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  HUH? - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By Randy Tate - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Although Ive only had the car a month... I love it

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  Just the facts - 2003 Infiniti QX4
  By Bill Witt - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Service at any Infiniti dealer is GREAT. weather it is for rotuine maintenance or warranty repair(very few). Rides smooth, great power, handles well and you feel safe when driving.

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  Love my QX4 - 2003 Infiniti QX4
  By jlsatlanta - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 34 cars including Mercedes, BMW and Acuras, my most recent being a 2002 Maxima, this is my first SUV and what a great choice, it is by far the most comfortable, fun to drive vehicle I have owned (given its size) I have to get used to making more frequent stops at the gas station, but its worth it! I have not had it serviced yet, but have heard nothing but great things about Infiniti service, this was a big deciding factor, the Nissan Pathfinder although basically the same car does not get the extended warranty, free Infiniti loaner, roadside service and a more lush interior, it was worth the small difference in price.

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Midstates - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Great fun to drive, lots of power and handles curves like a dream. It put the fun back into driving for me