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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  Enjoy it but hate the brakes - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By CarBuff - April 20 - 1:20 pm

  G35x fully loaded w/ 22.5k miles. Overall Im very happy with my 07 G35x. However after 7k miles and again at 12k miles the rotors warped and had to be resurfaced. At 21k rear brakes were replaced. This is unacceptable for a car that has such low miles. Also the sunroof had to be completely replaced after it froze-up for no reason. The service experience has been average, greasy finger prints on headliner after being returned from sunroof install, broken license plate frame and other annoyances. On the up side the G is fun to drive and I like all bells and whistles. Cant complain about the pricing either. All that said, I would buy another Infiniti.

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  Last of the Q45 line? - 2006 Infiniti Q45
  By Guy - April 19 - 7:30 am

  Motor Trends September 2006 new car review issue did not include a snap shot of the 2007 Q45 leading me to believe that 2006 may be its last year for the US market. Sales of the 2005 models approached Rolls-Royce Phantom levels in the US (only an average of about 22 per state) and fewer still in 2006 (anyone have the US figure through June?) and the failure to even publish a 2006 sales brochure (Infiniti sent me a 2005), though they do e-mail you a four-page 2006 brochure in .pdf led me to this conclusion. The only model produced in 2006 is the Q45s. The very successful M45 might be poised to replace the Q45. If true, I might be willing to part with my showroom Q45s for the right price.

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  Great - 2003 Infiniti QX4
  By Haseeb - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I love the car-like drive of this car. It is so fun to drive. i love the style of the outside and the interior is so nice.

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  Great looks, sounds like a Taxi - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By Steven ZoBell - April 17 - 1:20 am

  We were looking at several vehicles and fell in love with the styling of the QX56. Love the ride, interior and power. However the vehicle has been in over 10 times in the past 8 months for anything from many large rattles & squeaks, new brake system to having to repaint door molding and roof rack. Just today - the same center console rattle that we have had it in for 4 times started again. This is not a subtle rattle, but a loud one that wakes small children.

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  2013 Infiniti G37X - 2013 Infiniti G Sedan
  By Keith Kamerer - April 17 - 1:07 am

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  Very Happy with I35 - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By Brian D - April 15 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. The key word is value. It costs thousands more to obtain equivalent comfort, performance, and quality in other models. I cannot believe how responsive the gas pedal is. The ride is very smooth and quiet, yet youre always aware of the horsepower. Some wonder if its a glorified Maxima. Like others, I found that its poorer Nissan cousin would have been nearly as expensive given my desired configuration. I was sold after considering the nicer interior, the higher manufacturing standards, the superb stereo, thicker window glass, and the Infinity warranty and roadside assistance program.

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  First Impressions - 2013 Infiniti JX
  By beagle11 - April 13 - 9:19 am

  Just took delivery of our emerald graphite JX35 AWD (fully loaded) with java brown interior. My first impressions are as follows: Appearance: As attractive as the JX35 appears in the photos, the vehicle looks even better in person. The exterior styling is very sporty without looking gimmicky. The dark plastic aeroskirts and underbody accents compliment the lines well. While the salesman admitted he was skeptical of the java interior with the dark gray dash and emerald graphite color scheme when we pre-ordered, but was very impressed when it was delivered. The dark brown leather looks very luxurious and breaks up what would be a monochromatic look. ItÂ’s definitely one of the smartest looking SUVs on the road today. Performance: The engine is adequate and the ride is more luxurious than it is sporty. For 90% of drivers in this class, it will perform admirably. Plows quite bit into the turns, but this isn’t a M series. Interior: Top notch interior. Seats are firm, but comfortable. I am a large guy over 6 feet, and I can fit in all three rows. The 3rd row would be tough for long periods, but doable for less than an hour. The 3rd row access entry space is big enough for an adult to gain access within to much trouble. Technology: It may take a year or more to get your hands around all of the features. The basic functions are intuitive, but like a really powerful smart phone, the vehicleÂ’s capabilities likely far exceed the userÂ’s mastery of the systemÂ’s functionality. The steering wheel controls are reversed from most vehicles, and the different interfaces will take a little while to familiarize myself with being a distraction. Non-Critical, but Quirky Issues: Due to the push-button keyless ignition, there doesnÂ’t appear to be a way to energize the vehicle control systems within starting the vehicle first. There doesnÂ’t appear to be a way to roll up and down windows, or play radio like you would with a vehicle in “accessory mode with a traditional turn-key ignition. There is a very poorly placed “SOS” button for the Infiniti Connect emergency notification system. The button is located on the overhead control panel, approximately ½-inch below the button for the driver-side overhead lamp. When the headlines are engaged, the button is back-lighted, but is easily confused with the overhead light switch in the dark. Yes, I pushed it accidentally on the first evening I drove the car. The response came from Infiniti in approximately 30 seconds and the call center representative was thankfully very understanding. While the odds of changing a tire yourself is remote with roadside assistance, the rear Bose Direct-Wave speaker and plastic rear hatch liner would need o be removed prior to accessing the under-body high pressure spare tire and jack. Remote start will not work with second key located inside of within close proximity of the vehicle. Once the second key was removed from the car, it started right up. While the DVD playing in the back can be viewed on the front heads-up monitor, the car must be stopped and the emergency break engaged before it will come up. No CD changer, but rather a hard drive storage system where you can burn hundreds on CDs onto prior to leaving. Unclear if the burn function works with audio books. Overall: I think Acura is going to have to re-design the MDX this year to match the JX35 main buying demographic. The bar has been raised in that price class. While not perfect and bordering on being too technologically complex, the JX35 hits or exceeds expectations for factors that matter to the 40-something $100K+ income female.

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  One of the best car i drove. - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Rashed - April 11 - 2:03 am

  One of the nicest and fun to drive car i drove in my whole life. I cant describe my feelings, the interior is awesome the dashboard the seats every thing every thing in this beauty is wonderful. by by Lexus. it is time to welcome the king of luxury from Japan (Infiniti).

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  Love the car!!! - 2004 Infiniti Q45
  By David00035 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. Lots of power. Great value.

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  In a class of its own - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By parrald - April 10 - 2:00 am

  There is simply no other car on the market that offers all that the G35 does for the same price. If this car had a German nameplate, it would be priced $10K higher than it is. Lexus and Mercedes may be a bit more luxurious, but no other car anywhere near this price range combines sportiness, luxury, and utility as well as this car does. By the way, to truly appreciate this car, the 6 speed manual transmission is a must.