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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  Power Meets Luxury - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By Clovis Kid - February 21 - 9:53 pm

  A big improvement over my 1999 I30. Very powerful engine with 255hp climbs the hills with ease. Comfortable drivers seat supports the back and allows for long drives without a backache. All controls easy to use. Navigation system with voice instructions get me where I am going without having to look at paper maps. Outstanding, powerful Bose stereo with AM/FM with RDS, cassette, and 6-disc CD changer with 7 speakers (including a 9-inch Bose woofer) and automatic speed-volume control that compensates for road noise. Outstanding automatic climate control keeps interior at a comfortable temperature. HID headlights really light up the road ahead.

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  Defective G35S - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By peter - February 21 - 3:33 pm

  This G35S with summer tires would not survive in a snow storm. Im battling with Nissan with a suspension, steering or tracking problem as this car is way too sensitive to road crown compared to every car Ive driven, it drives straight in the right lane but would crash into the woods next to the left lane as soon as the hands are off the steering wheel, after alignment done on it 3 times, Nissan is refusing to acknowledge this quality defect while all 3 of their loaner cars Ive driven drove without this problem, I would trade it in for an AWD especially living in the NE, a RWD just wont cut it in snow. Its worse than a Maxima SE, dont waste your money

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  A great Car New or Used - 1999 Infiniti I30
  By Fldriver - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my I30 new in 1999 and it has been a great car. I have enjoyed the great service that I receive and free loaner cars (they are new cars). The car has no mechanical problems in the time that I have owned it and have spoken to other Infiniti owners who are loyal owners as well

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  Break Through - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By L. Bittle - February 20 - 10:00 am

  The Road & Track sport sead shoot out got me interested and everything I checked out about the car was impresive. I like the car very much and comparing it to my last new car - a 98 528i its better in everyway and lots more fun!

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  WOW!!! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By khim - February 20 - 10:00 am

  AWESOME CAR. BANG FOR THE BUCKS.

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  stranded again - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By diane - February 19 - 6:03 am

  My car is stuck in park again. First time, service mgr said it was a bad shifter. 2nd time my cell phone charger was blamed for blowing the fuse leaving me stranded in a parking lot at night. This is the third time Ive been stranded. My cell phone charger was not even in the car. It is beginning to rattle too. I wish Id never traded my Lexus.

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  This is a great car!!! - 1999 Infiniti I30
  By lovinit - February 18 - 2:06 pm

  We bought this car used in 2004 at 88,000 miles and it now has 174,000 miles 6 years later. This car has been amazing! I nicknamed it the "marshmallow" because it is so comfortable. The maintenance has been quite low $$ wise and reliability amazing! I replaced the original battery last year...10 years later...It still runs so soft and comfortable and performances best at 70 mph. Super comfortable and fun to drive!

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  Repairs very expensive - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By gary171 - February 16 - 3:46 am

  I purchased the car new 7 years ago with the optional 7 year/100,000 warranty. Ive had all service done at my Infinity dealership and total repairs not covered under warranty to date are $9300. My wife purchased the Acura TL the same day 7 years ago with the 7 year/100,000 warranty. All her service was done at the Acura dealership and total repairs to date are $3600. I love driving the Infinity----I dont care for the Acura, but the repairs are just expensive to her car. Thats really my only complaint about the car. Both extended warranties just expired last week, and both cars have around 80,000 miles. I probably will purchase another Infinity when this car dies.

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  Best vehicle purchase ever - 2008 Infiniti QX56
  By Dan - February 16 - 2:36 am

  This is the 4th SUV we have owned and by far the finest. We loked at every large SUV available up to the $83K Lexus 570. And the value proposition of the QX56 was the best of class. Fit and finish is exceptional. It is a fun vehicle whose style is really coming into its own. Many think it was years ahead of its time when it was first introduced, but with the upgrades and minor front and rear fascia changes for 2008, is now just plain beautiful.

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  Living with the JX - 2013 Infiniti JX
  By 2002blksle - February 13 - 9:44 pm

  Traded an 08 CX-9 for the JX. The Mazda handled much better but the JX feels more refined. I also have a G35 and the JX is far from handling expectations for Infiniti which is becoming more disappointing after living with the car. It is quiet, I do like the CVT especially after 3500RPM, milage is good, lots of great tech, and great entry to 3rd row without massive rear doors. Build quality has not been great. In 2 months, had multiple rattles, had loose trim, and now the HVAC fan is making noise. Overall I give it a B. Not sure i would do it again now that the honeymoon period is wearing off. Bottom line-- test drive it multiple times before signing the papers.