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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  Fun, powerful, why wast on a BMW? - 2005 Infiniti Q45
  By Joe - October 1 - 11:43 pm

  I drive 2005 Infiniti Q45 while my wife drives 2005 Lexus ES330 (got the Lexus first). Falling love with the Lexus right away, which does everything best. I thought the Lexus has finest steeling ever. Well, after the Q45, there is no way for me to trade with my wife’s Lexus, the smoothest steeling ever! Solid and heavy. very firm handling. dont feel 4000 lbs at all when I curve the car around. Manual mode (5 speed clutch-less) shift is so fun! Know how 340 hp can do, use the manual mode and 3rd gear,step on the gas! Now I know what is a difference between $40K and $60K cars! I am so spoiled by the Q45, I afraid I will have a hard time to think of other car.

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  Paint issues - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Dale Bilthouse - October 1 - 8:06 pm

  As soon as I started driving this car I noticed chip marks on the front end. As I continued to drive there were more chip marks. The car is red with a white primer so the chips are very noticeable. I contacted the dealer who stated that because the nose of the car is very low to the ground it will pick up lots of road debris. I have owned many cars previous to this one and have never experienced this much damage is such a short period of time. With less than 10K on the car there are over 26 chips on the front end-some very noticeable. Its almost like the paint flecks off.

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  Great car - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Dave - September 30 - 6:43 pm

  Love the car. Great performance and handling. With the weather in OR I got the X model and am very happy with it. I drove all the rest and the G was the best car. This is my 3rd Infiniti and I have been spoiled by them. I had a problem a couple of weeks ago, the car overheated. Long story short, the dealer replaced the radiator and the air cond. pump in one day. No charge of course.

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  Too many problems - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By carl j - September 30 - 12:10 pm

  This could be a great car, but when you pay $55k for a luxury auto and then have the rattles, shakes, and bad brakes it doesnt matter how nice everything else is. I thought it would be worked out for 2005. Now I am suffering along with the 2004 owners. I wish I had never purchased this vehicle. It has taken a lot of time and energy to get Infiniti to make the fixes on this thing and it is still not better. I would rather be driving a common Tahoe or Sequoia. I may look good on the outside but I am too embarrassed to have friends, coworkers, clients etc ride in it. If you really want one, I advise to wait a few years and then reevaluate very conservatively or buy a 2004 for cheap.

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  I wont buy another Infiniti - 2001 Infiniti QX4
  By tasha67 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  It is very hard for a short person to get in and out of this vehicle. The running boards are useless, they are too high. The radio display is extremely hard to see and impossible to read when driving. The rear wheel wells are in the way of the door opening. The gas mileage needs much improvement. The "tilting" steering wheel hardly tilts. The headlights have very little difference between high beams and low beams.

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  silver G35 - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By t7823 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Looked at BMW, Lexus, Sab, and Benz. None could hold a candle to the G. Its quick, good looking, and a great value for the dollar when comparing to the other cars. Ive had the car for 6 months and have not had any sort of problem. Always had an American car but couldnt go back after driving the Infinity. Since then turned some friend on to the G from cars like Audi. My parents always had a Caddy but this time they went Infinity (Q45). Try one youll like it

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  Best Purchase of my life - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Jay007 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  WOW! This is a fun vehicle. Handles like it is on rails. I drive very aggressively and there is a VDC- (vehicle dynamic control) that can help you out if the computer senses that there is a traction problem and adjusts accordingly. You can also turn this off with a touch of a button. Great for long trips as the front seating is very comfortable and has great ergonomics. Drove 8 hours with girlfriend and neither of us had that "I need to get out this car" feeling.

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  Comfort and Fuel Economy - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By jayjay - September 29 - 11:39 pm

  Selected AWD Hybrid after comparing to gas version and Acura MDX. QX60 offered more room, comfort, and better price than the MDX (my opinion). Hybrid vs non was a difficult decision but with a modest 3k premium, increased MPG, and option packages simplified, we selected the AWD hybrid. The comfort is unparalleled and the safety is outstanding. The warnings (lane departure, blind spot ect.)/interventions can be individualized, on or off for each driver. The MPG was concerning after purchasing with 19 city and 23 hwy. Now with 1500 miles 22 to 23 city and as high as 29 on the highway! 24 for mixed driving. There is a break in period and learning curve with this SUV to obtain good MPG.

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  Great value - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By mkt915 - September 29 - 8:38 pm

  With a growing family and the need to transport addtional occupants from time to time space was important to us. We had looked at most of the vehicle in this class and were either deterred by tight cabin space, low exterior/interior quality, poor fuel economy, or price. Though we are willing to pay to get what we want we dont have a track record of keeping cars more than 4 years. We take into consideration price, safety, options, interior space, styling, maintenance costs, fuel economy, increase in insurance premiums, and warranty. We do find the vehicle quiet, smooth, and fun to drive. We have a super duty truck and this SUV drives more like a car. We are happy with our purchase thus far.

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  used i35 - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By russ29 - September 25 - 4:43 pm

  I purchased this 2002 I35 when it was five yrs old with only 32000 miles on it. I have owned three other nissans always thought they were great cars but not his one. After two years the exhaust system broke, heater motor sounds like the bearings are bad, check engine lite was on until I tapped on the sensor and the Bose sound system blows. Cant wait to sell it.