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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  A Great Value - 2002 Infiniti QX4
  By Ernestine - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Reliable and true to its top of the line Infiniti name. It gives me what I ask for when I ask for it, no hesitation. Whether stopping on a dime in the rain or accelerating on the expressway on-ramp, I feel confident that I will get good results and after driving my QX-4 for over a year, Ive never been disappointed! I plan to stay with the Infiniti family for a long time.

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  This is a serious sport sedan - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By tonto - July 15 - 2:20 pm

  Bought this car for my wife in March of 06. I get to drive it on weekends only and I really look forward to doing so. The motor in this vehicle is all about acceleration and revving to the redline. Sure, fuel economy is not good, but it gets better as the miles go by. Were now getting about 21 mpg combined highway and city driving. That may not sound too good but you have to be realistic when considering the fact that you have a sports car engine under the hood. We have had no mechanical issues so far at 21k plus miles. The brakes are still in good condition. I was worried when we bought it considering all the past issues with this model but the rotors look perfect and the pads look new.

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  An excellent car - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By geffen - July 13 - 10:30 pm

  Wonderful car to drive. The throttle is twitchy until you get used to it which takes about a week. Its sort of funny watching someone drive it who is not used to it. Everyones head bounces off the headrests (which are well padded). I understand they modified the throttle response in the later models which is unfortunate. The car has performed flawlessly but be prepared to replace the brake pads every 15,000 miles and the rotors will need to be machined each time. $$$$

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  Whats there not to love?? - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Dennis - July 13 - 8:43 pm

  I started looking around and I narrowed my choices down to the Acura TL S-Type, Lexus IS 350, BMW 330i and the G35. I am an avid lover of the BMW, the Acura would have been my second choice, however the G35 was what my heart told me to follow and I have not looked back since. There is nothing bad I could find to say about the G35. I ended up getting a black G with tan interior. The 9.5 gig hard drive to download music to the car just blew me away. I have owned about 10 cars in my life and driven several others and nothing in or near the G35s class can compare to the performance and handling of this vehicle. Infiniti has upped the ante - can any other automobile step up to the challenge?

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  Quality, but worth the price? - 1997 Infiniti QX4
  By P. Wadlow - July 11 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I love to set out for the day and cruise around with the sun roof open. However, when we are on the local pot-hole filled roads we cannot wait to get out of the car. It makes a mountain out of a mole hill. This is really amplified in the backseat where head room is already lacking. We do love to turn up the Bose system and enjoy the open road.

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  More than a match to BMW 3-Series - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By ^0^ - July 11 - 10:00 am

  To be honest, I didnt expect this Infiniti to be this good, its engine, styling, transmisson, brake and extensive feature contents make it impossible to beat. It cost less than 35k when fully loaded, compare to the Bimmer, its a bargain. This Infiniti matches or exceeds BMW in terms of handling, braking, accelerating, overall build quality and reliability. This is one great car from Nissan, thank you!!

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  better than 330Ci? - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By andy perng - July 11 - 10:00 am

  awesome sports car. great handling, great engine, good interior, great value compared to bmw 330Ci.

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  QX56 Great Car! - 2006 Infiniti QX56
  By Trucker - July 11 - 8:40 am

  I have done a lot of research over the past 6 months and finally purchased a 2006 QX56 in January. We purchased the QX for my wife and 3 small kids while I will now drive the Lexus LX that previously was the wifes. I have to say, that is looks like any of the issues with the car in 04/05 have been fixed now. The truck is quiet (will never be as silent as a car), solidly built and has the BEST features. I was ready to buy a new LX, but opted for the styling of the QX and frankly a lot more room too! I hate that the Lexus seats fold up against the windows in my LX - but this is no problem in the QX. This car feels like it will last a long time. The comfort is unsurpassed.

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  Best Large Luxury SUV, Period - 2008 Infiniti QX56
  By Luv QX56 - July 11 - 3:56 am

  We travel a lot with 2 very tall kids. So when searching for a large SUV, rear legroom is a must. Having looked at all the typical choices (GMC, Chevy, Ford, Cadillac, Toyota, Lexus) once we looked at the Infiniti, nothing else came close. The number of options that are standard are amazing (i.e. heated steering wheel, rear heated seats, auto fold side mirrors, power 3rd row seats, power liftgate, etc.). The interior design and legroom of the QX56 are far superior to the others. The space behind the 3rd row seat is somewhat limited, but rarely do we use that seat. Mileage isnt great, averaging about 15 mpg between city/highway driving, but I knew that going into the purchase.

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  Fabulous - 2005 Infiniti Q45
  By mycough - July 10 - 7:37 am

  What a great car for any amount of money, but even more so when the prices are so low. Very fast, and luxurious. If you are looking to buy, Id recommend finding one with the premium package as it adds a lot of goodies. On the description above it did not let me select Premium but only "base". Premium adds air conditioned front seats and many cool things for rear seat passengers like electric reclining seats and radio and AC controls.