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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  2007 Infiniti G35 - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By ghtrum - January 12 - 6:16 am

  In 2004, I leased a G35. I had 11 nagging reasons NOT to like this car, in spite of Motor Trend and everyone else. These were poor sound, outside mirrors, gas mileage, seats, etc. In 2007, for financial reasons, I leased a new one. There is NO comparison. The 2007 G35 is greatly improved over the previous ones and now is the car it was billed to be in 2003 and 2004.

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  G35 Sedan - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By BMR Eater - January 11 - 2:00 am

  More fun to drive than my Acura TL (but less refined interior and noisier ride). Handles like a BMW for lot less cost (& looks better). Great engine & smooth auto trans. Mileage could be a bit better in city.

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  G35 Sedan is a blast - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By JFC657 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased the 2003 G35 Sedan with the premium and winter package and have enjoyed it on a daily bases. Even though the car is a sedan it still has a sports car feel and handling. The interior is roomy and comfortable. Im 6"5 and the G35 has enough leg room and head room for me. I recommend this car for those that need the convinence of a sedan and the sportiness of a coupe.

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  Not an SUV person ... - 2002 Infiniti QX4
  By M2D - January 2 - 8:36 pm

  I searched thoroughly for weeks to locate the perfect used 4Runner (96-02 body style), as Ive always been a Toyota fan; 4Runners and Land Cruisers in particular. After looking at a dozen, or so, I realized my 6 5" frame isnt well-received by the 4Runners cramped interior, nor is the 3.4L (fabulously over-built engine) engine adequate to haul around the 4Runners rump. Enter the QX4. The Infiniti was my ONLY alternative to the 4Runner, which is saying a lot. While the Infiniti isnt a body-on-frame SUV, it still has a rugged aura about it. The boxy, in-your-face front end somehow lends a polished, intellectual hand to its extremely well-balanced appearance.

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  Love at first sight - 1999 Infiniti I30
  By granny - January 1 - 10:00 am

  The car has a solid and comfortable ride. Handling is very responsive. Its a nice marriage of the two. Fuel economy has been disappointing. Lots of nice extras such as heated seats, auto adjusting rear view mirrors, versatile heat & air controls. Not as much thought went into the design of the interior ie small glove box & small storage container in arm rest as well as small openings for beverages. Rear seats are comfortable & roomy but trunk space was greatly sacrificed. Overall, this is one fun car!

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  Great car for the money - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Ron M. - December 31 - 8:53 am

  I have been driving my recently purchased G35x for a month now. Overall great car but you get what you pay for. Lots of power and smooth ride, most of the time. Beware of the rattles and tick noises. When test driving tell the salesmen to be quiet and turn off the so-so Bose stereo. Listen to the car over bumps and drive it on the freeway if possible. Once a noisy car always a noisy car. I have had mine in the shop/dealer for about a week trying to figure out where all the rattles are coming from. They are almost gone, almost. The phantom rattle in the center of the dash is the most elusive. Have the car inspected by a third party brake guy before you buy, this will save you later.

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  Move over 3-series - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By rckbnkr - December 29 - 11:16 pm

  Absolutely a blast to drive, especially with the windows down listening to the mellifluous exhaust notes the handling is way better than any 3-series bimmer. Has very unique, elegant and sophisticated styling cues. Stereo is pretty darn good producing very tight bass and brilliant highs... Too many things this already great car can improve on but then again, considering the price factor, there simply is not car out there with more bang for the buck in terms of raw power and sophistication (technology) dollar for dollar.

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  Glad I got it!!! - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Chris C. - December 26 - 8:40 pm

  Had an 05 Acura TL. Traded it in for the 2006 G35. MIGHT have kept it if it were rear wheel drive. But needed something sportier. The G35 fits the bill. Almost got the 350Z, but I wanted something a little bigger with a usable back seat and a less harsh ride. I wish it had better mileage. But 300 horses gotta be fed. If youre thinking of buying one, the G35 wont disappoint. Truly a great car. I only had the car for 2 weeks. Ill do a follow up in 6 mos and tell you if I still luv it as much.

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  Expensive: Low Quality Features - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By dembinsk - December 13 - 4:43 pm

  I have owned a 02 BMW 330 sport sedan, a 03 BMW 540 sport manual 6 speed, and finally decided to give the japanese a try. The Infiniti M45 is by far the closest feel to the germans you can get in a japanese sports sedan. Great reliability, great styling, and many features. Problem with the car is the horrible gas mileage averaging 13.5 MPG in the city and thats 3.4 MPG less than my BMW 540. Tons of features but they are all low grade. For example..the seat heaters dont even compare to the BMWs, the sound system is very hollow and tin sounding (plastic like), shared dashboard gauges from the Altima, and last...the suspension is horribly rough on everyone in the car.

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  Overall Great Car - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By rloggia - December 8 - 9:41 pm

  I recently got this car from my dad with 168,000 miles on it, and those miles were put on aggressively; my dad has a lead foot. He traded it for an M37. There are some minor issues: oxidized headlight lenses, slightly rough transmission, a few burned out bulbs. A few months ago the radiator fell out of its rusted housing, but not the car. Besides that, there have been no major issues. The interior is still in great condition, some signs of wear on the drivers seat. Some rust issues; in the top of the wheel well and underneath the car (not noticable unless youre jacking it up) but thats my dads fault for not washing off road salt. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.