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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  My new G35 - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Kevin Beasly - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I honestly expected more out of this car. I expected far more than Nissan gave me. But thats not to say this car is awful because that it is not. I needed a second commuter car with more room than a normal sports car and its done its job.

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  G35 Coupe - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By raizelgs - September 1 - 6:40 pm

  This is a great car. It handles well (sport-tuned suspension) although it is a little harsh. It looks great, and its styling is slightly understated - no sculpting along the sides.

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  Best ever - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By david - September 1 - 2:26 am

  I have owned 30 cars since my first in 1966 and this is by far the best. The performance and technology are awesome. Intelligent cruise-control is the best feature ever. Burns gas like hell, but burns up the road like hell, so Ill except the tradeoff.

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  Antons new AWD G25x - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Antone - August 30 - 8:23 am

  The G25x is the best performing car Ive ever owned with cars like Trans Am, Dodge Daytona and Grand Prix GTPs included. It zips to 100 like nothing and stops on a dime. Going around clover leafs with 25 mph speed limits can easily be doubled to 50. And when it gets wet by rain or snow its hard to even get the wheels to spin with hard acceleration. Best car purchase I ever made.

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  one awesome car for the price - 2004 Infiniti Q45
  By zigman - August 30 - 2:00 am

  The dealership was exceptional, they didint play games and were very professional!

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  2005 Infiniti G35 6MT review - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By wink0101 - August 29 - 4:00 pm

  Had my G35 for 3 years - overall an awesome car. Very sporty, fun to drive, great power. Very reliable, never needed repairs - just usual maintenance stuff. I live in MN and got a set of winter tires and changed them out each season. It handled relatively well for RWD - never slid off the road or got stuck. Getting 20-21 mpg mixed city/hwy. Needs premium fuel, but have been using mid-grade stuff due to cost w/o problems. Will be gettting a different vehicle now that my lease is up only because I have 2 dogs that love to travel with me and need more room - otherwise would probably trade up to newer model if issues listed below have been improved.

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  Q45 Drive - 2002 Infiniti Q45
  By - August 28 - 10:00 am

  My Q45 is a blast to drive. I have a car with the premium package with the Intelligent Cruise Control. For a large car, it handles exceptionally well. its fast, quiet and solid. My Q has just about every option and is still a better value than a comparably equipped BMW 745i, Lexus LS 430 or Mercedes S 430. For value, reliability and overall driveability I will pick the Q every time. Terry Fobbs

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  Fun to drive, but needs improvements - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By GK - August 26 - 7:16 pm

  Great sports sedan, powerful & responsive. AWD performed amicably during the latest snowstorm. All electronic features are very intuitive, and well designed. However, there are some drawbacks: 1) poor mileage when driven mostly in the city. I get 14 mpg on average. 2) small trunk with narrow opening 3) rear seats dont fold down. In overall, Im happy with the car, but really miss my FX35.

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  Just one glitch - 2004 Infiniti I35
  By Paul - August 25 - 2:23 pm

  I purchased this car, my 3rd Infiniti, to get one of the last front drive models because I live in snow country. Compared to my 1997 I30, this car has better seats, more power and sharper handling with the 17 inch wheels. Theres only one glitch so far - an irritating rattle in the dash when going over expansion strips or sharp bumps. Other than that its clear that Infiniti seriously believes in the concept of continuous improvement. For the same money as my 97, I have a much more substantial car with more features, better quality, better safety and some serious grunt off the line. Plus you can count on it being reliable - and reliability is the truest luxury of all. This is a good car.

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  The Most Superior of all SUVs - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By EriNor1 - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Weve had our QX56 since it hit the market in March and we wouldnt trade it in for the world. We previously owned the Chrysler Pacifica, but after seeing the QX56, there was no comparison. We immediately traded in our 10 month old Pacifica. Infiniti didn miss a beat in making this truck. By far, the QX56 is the most superior SUV around.