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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  So far so good - 2001 Infiniti G20
  By MannyB - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my G20T for a about a year now and overall its been quite reliable. I did however have the blower/heater fan replaced under warranty due to a high pitch whine. At the time of the purchase I was also looking at the Volvo S40 and the Saab 9- 3, but the reliability of Infiniti swayed me.

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  Best Value In Mid-sized Luxury - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By GFM - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I love my I30. I have 55,000 miles and the only thing I have had to do (besides oil changes) is replace the tires! The car rides very smoothly and very quiet. There is excellent power from its 227 horse power V6 engine. Emergency handling is very good too! Overall, this is the best value for the money in the mid-size luxury class. Believe me when I say that...I compared Lexus, Acura and the Mercedes C230 before making my I30 purchase.

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  G35 Sooo Much Fun - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Gooz1 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Fit, finish & the solid "feel" is same or superior of product costing more. The driving experience is far superior to vehicles in same price range. For its "class" of competitors there is no comparison. My last two cars were European "G35 target" cars I considered in my buying decision. Im glad I bought the G35.

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  You must drive this car - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Mark Cortazzo - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I had an Acura TL before this and a Mazda Millenia prior, both known for their performance, but this car is an engineering wonder that is so much fun I find myself running errands just so I can drive my car. If you have a bad back dont buy this car, because you can get whiplash simply by touching the gas pedal too hard.

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  Super G35 - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By JM - October 15 - 10:03 am

  Excellent handling, High top speed, very good brakes, not any problem driving in heavy rain, nice color Diamond graphite-stone interior. Very usefull back seats compared to the 350 Z (doesnt have), very good stereo (basic without Bose).

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  buyers remorse - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By MikeH - October 12 - 4:53 am

  While the 2005 G35X is fun to drive in a straight line and pretty goon on flat turns, after just 4 months I am ready to take a bath on it and get a 2006 BMW 3 series. The brake peddle squeeks, the windows rattle too much and there is a noise in the pillar that drives me nuts. It is fun to drive, roomy and less than a BMW, but as they say you get what you pay for and it doesnt feel near as solid as a Jetta I once had. After just 1000 miles the firm solid ride turned into a floating avg. car. To me its little more than an Altima with luxury features. I got XM, Premium, DVD in mine. Over all I am very disappointed with the purchase.

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  Great choice, great car -- best value! - 2000 Infiniti Q45
  By Yukich - October 12 - 2:00 am

  This is the most underrated car on the market. And thankfully so -- I was able to get this top-line, offlease automobile for a reasonable price. Its sleek, elegant-yet-aggressive lines, combined with more-than-ample power (266 hp) and confident, comfortable performance (17-inch tires) make it a pleasure to own. The cabin is world-class -- roomy, luxurious, and loaded with useful, high-tech features (e.g., GPS). It gets plenty of complements almost everywhere I go, which I welcome. Its also nice driving a unique car; Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, and others are superb, but too common and too costly.

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  billsinfiniti - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By wregan - October 12 - 2:00 am

  super car. will buy infiniti again

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  Infinity G35 Sport - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By XRD - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I trade my 323CI for the G35 with Sport package. It is a lot of fun to drive and really sticks to the roads. If you wonder about the 323 it would be unfair to compare the two cars, two different products. The G35 is a sport car dont expect any more. The sound system is awsome. The cons I would highlight, not good in snow and the cabin could be a little more quite from outside noises.

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  Great Car - 2004 Infiniti I35
  By Dave - October 11 - 6:53 am

  This was an excellent buy versus the Acura and other comparable cares Its fun to drive and reliable. 35000 miles a year and no problems