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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  Love this SUV - 2006 Infiniti QX56
  By Shugrady - July 23 - 1:13 pm

  I just got my QX56 5 days ago and Im so happy. I traded in a 2001 QX4 that served us well. We decided to make the leap to a BIG SUV and it was the absolute right thing to do. Its fun to drive, theres tons of room for everything (and everyone), and it looks great. My husband thinks Im nuts to want to drive such a big car, but it makes me feel extremely safe, plus it drives like a luxury car, not a big SUV. This is our 4th Infiniti and we are customers for life.

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  Well executed and unique - 2003 Infiniti Q45
  By J. Duensing - July 19 - 10:00 am

  On year end clearance pricing, this car represented great value for the money, far exceeding the value equation for the Mercedes E series, BMW 5 series or Lexus LS400. The car is powerful, refined, very comfortable inside and has many features not offered as standard on the competitive models (halogen headlights, voice recognition, 340 HP engine). My car also came equipped with a Sirius satellite radio package which has been great. I realize the resale is not as good on the Q45 vs. competitive models, but if you can get an agressively priced lease deal from Inifiniti Financial Services, the residual risk and resale value is not a concern.

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  Jullys I35 - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By Jully - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Like it alot, heated stearing wheel makes everyone jealous,in winter.Thankfully there is 4 heated seats.Spoiler really makes it look better.Subwoofer makes it a sound system.Excellent power, 45 to 65 a snap.Brake assist, Electronic stearing and throttle etc.,makes a very satisfying and thankfully reliable vehiecle.

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  WHAT A SURPRISE - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By G35 FOR MIKE - July 19 - 10:00 am

  WHEN THE G35 FIRST CAME OUT IN 2003 I FELT THAT IT WAS BY FAR THE BEST 2DR SPORTS CAR YOU CAN GET IN THE 35K PRICE RANGE BUT LOOKS LIKE IT SHOULD BE IN THE 65K RANGE. TRUST ME I STEPED UP IN PERFORMANCE FROM THE LEXUS SC. I JUST PICKED MINE UP IN SEPT 04, AND JUST CANT GET ENOUGH OF IT. I LOOK FOR EXCUSES TO DRIVE IT HANDLES GREAT ACCELARATES EVEN BETTER AND LOOKS GORGEOUS AT ALL TIMES EVEN IN THE RAIN. A FEW THINGS THOUGH ARE MISSING LIKE THE PRESET SEAT BUTTON AND MAYBE A BETTER STANDARD STEREO BUT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.

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  Excellent Car - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Kirby F. Burnett - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I am in my mid - 40s. The G-35 Sport Coupe makes me feel like a kid again. It is actually more exciting than my wife of 20 years!!!!!

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  g35 is a well balanced rocket - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By John Williams - July 18 - 4:53 pm

  I traded in my 2005 g35 6mt, for a 2007 g35 sport 6mt.I was happy with my 2005 and now feel like a kid again in the 2007. I estimate the overall upgrade to be very close to the m35 level and they held tight on price.This car pulls like a demon, and the gas mileage has improved! Coconut creek infiniti dealer in Florida is the number 1 infiniti dealer in the world, they gave me 2k off msrp,and the best buying experience I have had. No other manufacturer comes close to the new g35 value.

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  One of the best cars out there!! - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By AJT123 - July 18 - 4:10 pm

  This is my second 2002 Infiniti I35 (first one was totaled). I bought it for the engine, looks, and reliability. 114k miles and the only issue this car has ever had was a few broken motor mounts. I expect to drive this car literally until the wheels fall off, and I know that it will be a long, long time before that happens. This is a wonderful, superbly built car. Build quality and reliability are excellent. The I35 was probably the best car (durability and reliability wise) that Infiniti ever built. Think about it, take a Nissan Maxima (already legendary for reliability...how many old Maximas do you see on the road??) and ADD ONTO IT with Infiniti quality control and upgrades.

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  First of its kind! - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By Scott C. - July 17 - 12:00 pm

  After driving a BMW M3 for three years without a ticket, it was time to quit while I was ahead. I had a yen to trade for a luxury car but did not want to give up on the performance side. The new M45 was perfect. Beautiful, very hi-tech, and silly fast. I found I gave up very little on the performance side, but gained nearly everywhere else. Wonderful car.

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  A Great Value - 2002 Infiniti QX4
  By Ernestine - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Reliable and true to its top of the line Infiniti name. It gives me what I ask for when I ask for it, no hesitation. Whether stopping on a dime in the rain or accelerating on the expressway on-ramp, I feel confident that I will get good results and after driving my QX-4 for over a year, Ive never been disappointed! I plan to stay with the Infiniti family for a long time.

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  An excellent car - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By geffen - July 13 - 10:30 pm

  Wonderful car to drive. The throttle is twitchy until you get used to it which takes about a week. Its sort of funny watching someone drive it who is not used to it. Everyones head bounces off the headrests (which are well padded). I understand they modified the throttle response in the later models which is unfortunate. The car has performed flawlessly but be prepared to replace the brake pads every 15,000 miles and the rotors will need to be machined each time. $$$$