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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  Solid car for the money - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By Tom - July 26 - 6:43 am

  I bought this car looking for comfort, performance/sportiness, luxury/sleek elegant look and a bit of exclusivity. 12k miles into it Ive found all this and then some. Among the competition, (es300/TL), I went with the i35 due to its performance (3.5L versus 3.0, 3.2), comparable gas mileage (20/26), comfort in the little things (sunshade, rear heated seats, sojourner leather), build quality and reliability (its a maxima in disguise). TLs and ES300s are a dime a dozen, this car was Infinitis hidden car. Its nice to roll in a car that has a lot of everything, yet isnt seen 5 times in 1 in block. The ride is very smooth and no major issues have arrived.

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  Vintage Classic - 2001 Infiniti Q45
  By daross1 - July 25 - 8:41 am

  The last of these cars were built in 2000 even though they have the 2001 year. Very few made as they were a very unloved car. The design from 97-01 was derided by many. I will admit it is not exactly stylish. But it is comfortable, reliable (after a few expensive fixes to a vintage luxury car notably the shocks) and is fun to drive. It is safe (I was rearended in a 98 q45 and it was totaled, but I thought it was minor damage right away) and you will win in an accident. The engine and transmission will last forever, but you will replace the injectors and coils in the around 180K for sure. Like all cars, a few little things occur in the 200K plus range, not nothing major.

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  Great vehicle; Smooth.....but jittery - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By Tim - July 23 - 8:23 pm

  We owned a Yukon and considered the Escalade and LX450 when we bought the QX56. While the overall vehicle has been very good, and the ride also very good, it still has some jitters and noise on the highway that were not experienced in the other vehicles. Most of the time, the QX56 has felt very smooth on the road and has been extremely comfortable on long hauls to Mammoth. Comfort is great, but at times the ride and feel on the freeway can feel a bit jittery and truck-like inferior to the ride we experienced with the Yukon,or the other cars we drove. Roomy all around. Great 2nd row - limo- like room. Same height and width, but the extra 8" length over the Yukon are surprisingly noticeable.

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  The M45 - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By elagee - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is a smaller version of the Q45 but it certainly doesnt ride like it. I can feel every bump in the road. But, if you like power and speed and want to blow the doors off of the car next to you, this is the one. The ride is firm, there is no hesitation in acceleration, curves are not a problem and as the driver you have complete control of the car---no matter how fast you are going. Appointments are nice but not spectacular. Although I have only owned the M45 for a short time I am enjoying driving it.

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  Infinity M 45 - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By valo - July 21 - 2:00 am

  THe turning radius on this supposed sport vechicle is pitiful.It takes two attempts to make a u turn.You cannot make any adjustment to temp or radio with doing two things. Nothing is easy. The driver seat is so uncomfortable. I had 3 Q 45s before this - I made a terrible error in buying this car.

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  LOVE my G35 Coupe - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By terlis1221 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  The Infiniti Coupe is awesome to drive! I love the dual auto/shift option and the 0-60 take off. WOW. The car gets lots of looks, mine is silver with dark gray interior, beautiful!! Fun to drive and comfortable to sit back in.

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  Cardiomans Response - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Joel Davidson - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. I especiallly like the way it turns and accelerates coming out of a turn. Really gives you an exhilirating feeling. The 5-sp. automatic gives the feel of a manual when youre in the shift mode, instead of just keeping it in drive. You can feel and hear the power of this car--it growls without being a muscle car. Instead, youve got a big, strong beast just waiting to be unleashed when youre ready. I love the looks of this car--reminds me of the Audi TT but with more rear seat room. My wife loves the heated front seats and dual temperature controls.

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  Good Car - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By Al Bentley - July 19 - 12:10 pm

  The vehicle has been very sound mechanically. Very comfortable and handles well on the road. Ride would be better with different tires- low profile tires have a rougher ride

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  Fast, agile, heavy, rickety - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Ed - July 18 - 2:23 pm

  Ive had the car for about 1 year+ and my impression is mixed at best. Coming from a BMW 328i, I was lured by the lower price and 298 HP in the 6MT. The power is excellent, and really there. The ride is a bit firm, but the handling is not up to BMW par. Car feels much less confident than the 3 series. Also lots of rattles in the interior point to a less than careful build. Where I normally got 22-23 MPG in my 5 speed BMW, I get 19-20 MPG in the 6 speed Infiniti.

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  Better overall than 335xi - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By piredon - July 17 - 12:10 am

  Test drove the 335xi as a benchmark. Its a great driving car, but the inputs are all touchy and the interior made me feel claustrophobic, and its pretty barren. G35 wasnt on the top of my list, simply because Ive never cared for Nissan products in the past. But I told myself to give it a try, and boy am I glad I did. This car has a far nicer interior than the Bimmer, more features for less money, and achieves 95% of the performance without a turbo. Handling is spot on, although steering could use some work. Ride is firm, but body motions are well controlled and bumps are noticeable rather than jarring. This thing wants to be driven hard. I just wish we had no speed limit.