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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  Drive one and youll be hooked - 2011 Infiniti G Coupe
  By James Costello - March 16 - 11:02 am

  Im on my third Infinity after owning makes from almost every major car maker, foreign and domestic. Im into cars that have style, power and luxury and the Infinity G-37S has it all and then some. Moreover, it has a price point well below other makes in the same category. None of my Infinitys have required anything more than oil and filter change over the last five years, except for a battery replacement. Fuel consumption is close to 20 miles per gallon in town(where I mostly drive), which I dont think is bad for a 350hp car. Its a real treat to drive a car with paddle shifters and be able to switch from drive to sport mode. This car comes with all the extras that most people could ever want and reliability seems built in by the manufacturer.

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  Best Car Ever!!!!!! - 1998 Infiniti Q45
  By Drillsgt - March 16 - 3:26 am

  Infiniti is one of the most under rated vehicles. My Q45 has 80,000 miles and not a single problem. Excellent luxury and performance. I got a great price on it, far below actual value. It is a great car I would recommend it to anyone that wants a great car at a great price!!

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  Dont judge this book by its cover ... - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By John - March 15 - 8:30 am

  My I30 has an exterior look of "your fathers Oldsmobile". However, it also has excellent acceleration and braking, a smooth powerful engine, superb interior controls, awesome BOSE sound, and rock-solid reliability. It was rated a Consumer Reports automotive "Best Buy" for a reason. Im convinced that the only reason that it doesnt cost alot more is that Infiniti marketing is so bad.

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  I love this car - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By nadine710 - March 15 - 2:06 am

  Ive had this car close to 4 years, bought it used. Almost 100K miles on it now. Rides like brand new. Talked to a car salesman today and he said that these cars start running their best at 100K and I believe it. You cant even tell the car is on. I have been tempted to get something newer but I just cant trade my baby in. Best car Ive ever owned.

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  Im sold on Infiniti - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By RLN - March 14 - 9:46 am

  It is really hard to find fault with my 2008 G35. I love the car, the way it drives, its fit and finish and comfort. I would like to see better MPG than the 17.4 it averages around town. The engine has power, pleanty of power. The auto transmission is unbelievably smooth. The ride is solid. Im very satisfied with the car.

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  Just hit 180,000 miles with no major problems - 1997 Infiniti QX4
  By tsthompson - March 14 - 3:44 am

  I bought my 1997 Infiniti Qx4 in 99 (Im the second owner) and this is the best car Ive ever owned. I will eventually give it up, but my goal now is 300K miles because the engine is that good and reliable. Drives very well for what is essentially a truck (a little bumpy in the back seats, but my kids have never complained). You can haul a lot in it, too. And in the snow, and on mountain passes? This SUV can cut through anything. Ive only used 4-low a few times, mostly I just hit the switch for 4wd -- and you can go anywhere in confidence. Only repair? Alternator replacement at 140,000 miles. If you find a decent Qx4, even if has over 100k miles, grab it. I dont plan on giving mine up anytime soon, though. Plus, its got a killer six-speaker Bose sound system.

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  so far, so good - 2006 Infiniti QX56
  By pubsmeister - March 13 - 4:40 pm

  After one month, no problems. A clear upgrade from our suburban. Great power, solid suspension, firm brakes. Around town we remove the second row center console- that way the kids can get to the third row without flipping seats (nice when there are car seats or boosters in the second row). Biggest problems are with telematics. Bluetooth implementation is simplistic with poor voice recognition. I absolutely hate how the nav system is crippled when driving (its an SUV, the front seat passenger can enter commands). It makes the idrive in our BMW look even more awesome.

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  Best luxury value - 1998 Infiniti I30
  By buckydabadger - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle 4 years used with 48,000 miles on it. Have never had any problems except I had to replace a driverside side airbag which was not covered under warranty. It simply amazes me that the car runs perfect all the time. Its very roomy and gets excellent gas mileage. Id buy another used Infiniti in a heartbeat (without any extended warranties).

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  The good Infiniti I35 - 2004 Infiniti I35
  By Harry Lance - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my first I30 in Aug.95 and enjoyed it very much. I purchased my 2nd I30 traded in July 2001 and drove it 13K per year and when I heard that they werent going to make it anymore I purchased my 3rd one traded in April 2004. This I35 is more fun to drive it is peppier and appointed very well for the price I do hope to kep this one for quite some time as I dont care for the other models as well and they are much more pricey. I like the front weel drive, like being pulled around as opposed to being pushed around. My 2 other infinitis never cost me a dime, never anything wrong, I hope this will will be as good.

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  Not a very happy camper - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By TexanByChoice - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I have a little over 12000 miles on my QX56, and am having a very difficult time getting some "problems" taken care of. I have now had it back to the dealer twice trying to get a horrible rattle stopped. My wife just had it to the dealer today (its a 9 hour round trip) and reports that she had gone less than 50 miles and it started again. The person in the service department went so far as to tell her "hopefully it might be stopped, but I cant say for sure". This is rediculous to have a $55000 vehicle with rattles to begin with, and worse that they cant seem to get them stopped. Consumer Affairs will hear from me tomorrow!