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:

• 

  A cadillac of an Infiniti - 2004 Infiniti I35
  By leftcoaster - December 13 - 11:03 pm

  My Dad had this and passed away with 13K miles on it. It was his third I35. I took the car and bought it out after the lease was up. Its 2010 and I have 46,000 miles on it and it drives like the day I got it. This car has been great. Its a big cushy ride with a huge interior and trunk, a monster of a 3.6 liter engine that goes like a bat out of hell. Only con is the mileage but all of the Nissan 3.6 liter engines are beasts and dont get good mileage. Otherwise, the car has been flawless. All in all, this was Infinitis version of a Cadillac and I expect to have it for a long time barring any unforeseen breakdowns. I guess Ill get a G37 when the interior breaks down.

• 

  Does Not Compare to 3 Series or A4 - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By G35 is Junk - December 12 - 9:10 pm

  After owning an Audi A4 and a BMW 325i, I was excited to step into the G35 as the company bills the car as a faster, more reliable alternative to either vehicle. Sadly, I was completely hoodwinked by the marketing department of Infiniti. While I will grant the point that the vehicle is very fast, its handling, fuel economy, build quality, and reliability are far worse than I experienced with either Audi or BMW. Maybe I got a lemon, but the list of problems with this car is ridiculous. On top of that, the brakes wear out every 15k miles and arent cheap to replace. Im very disappointed with Infiniti and now realize that I shouldve stayed with German cars or purchased a Lexus instead.

• 

  Understated - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By Aray - December 12 - 10:00 am

  This car is an excellent value. More bells and whistles than both my 2000 E320 and my wifes 1996 E420. Blows both of them away. When I got into my E320 after two long days of driving the M45, the Mercedes seemed frumpy and outdated - and thats a car I love. The Mercedes handles better and burns less gas. Other than that, there is no comparison - the M45 is simply better in every other category.

• 

  Has lots of pedal - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By john7z - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Quick, easy cruiser, but gear down, get the revs up and it will fly. Solid cornering on back New England roads, tracks well, even on rippling surfaces. Good sized cabin and trunk, adds usable things competitor BMW doesnt. Solid value and a lot of go for the money.

• 

  G 35, highly recommend. - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By bgimby - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Had the car just over a year, absolutely no problems. Great performance combined with a very comfortable ride. Milage could be a bit better, about 24 highway, but thats the cost of such great performance! Traded a CLK 320, the Infinity is definately the better car.Would recommend it to anyone who appreciates a fine performance auto.

• 

  Wow - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Sanghera - December 12 - 10:00 am

  This car is just amazing, going 100mph feeld the same as going 20 mph, ride is pretty smooth but sometimes there are some annoying noises, other then that the car is just great and gives me about 20-23 mpg, mostly city driving and i do drive this car hard, it is really fun to drive.

• 

  So far Soo Good!! - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By WeBHappy - December 9 - 5:16 pm

  We loved this vehicle from the first test drive. Rented a 2004 for extended test drive and it was terrible!! Brakes felt like we were driving on cobblestones. Took a chance and bought a 2005. We love it and have not had any problems. No other large SUV handles like this. Beats my Q45!!

• 

  Fun as heck, dont believe the MPG - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By swxk17 - December 9 - 12:26 pm

  I absolutely love driving this car, its responsive, tight and quick. Many unique interior features, and what a smooth ride. Only problem so far is that Im not getting close to the fuel economy suggested.

• 

  This car stinks! - 2002 Infiniti Q45
  By Dr. Craig Merrell - December 8 - 3:03 am

  Left me stranded and needed flat- bedding to the nearest dealership twice in two years. I received notice of factory recalls after the items concerned had already broken on my car. Lousy parts availability and only fair diagnostic capability; the overhead map light required 4 visits to the dealership to diagnose and finally repair (It was the sunglass holder pressing on a connector that shorted the lamp "assembly."). Clock, silver hands on a silver dial, totally unreadable; re-painted it white-on- black myself. Transmission takes a week to downshift. Trunk smaller than it should be. Stereo very good, driver comfort great, handling okay, paint the worlds most fragile.

• 

  Good People, Good Cars - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Reese Pruitt - December 7 - 5:20 pm

  This has been the best car I have ever driven. It is the perfect 16th birthday present. When I am in it, I feel very safe.