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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  Best Sport Sedan Value - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Richard Katz - February 27 - 12:16 pm

  Intensively researched and compared the Infiniti G35 Sport to Acura TL-S, BMW 3 series, Audi A4, and Cadillac CTS. On paper the G was the best value. Test drives and now ownership confirm my research. The 6MT Sport Sedan provides ready power, a stable, sure and agile ride combined with a gently sloping, sexy upscale interior, large fuel capacity and best trunk size in its class. Six speed manual transmission has a longish clutch that takes a bit of an adjustment - about two days in my case. The short throw shifter is crisp and decisive. Exterior design is sleek and strong; people stop and stare.

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  G35 Sedan - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Tim - February 27 - 4:50 am

  Purchased the car two weeks ago after walking away from a 2006 BMW 330i. The Infinitis performance is better and the overall quality equal, so the $12,000 price difference to purchase the BMW made no sense. Suggest the Sport Package if you prefer a firmer "BMW" style ride, as the standard suspension is a little bouncy. The Sport Package includes 17 inch wheels. Opt for the Premium package and with BOSE stereo system, which includes the sunroof

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  Great value vehicle - 2008 Infiniti QX56
  By Johnhw2 - February 27 - 2:56 am

  Very pleased with my first SUV. Considered Sequoia and landed on this due to value/features/looks giving it the nod over a great engine/drivetrain for Sequoia. Had the vehicle about a week now and very pleased. Fuel economy is better than I expected.

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  Sedan & Sports Car in One! - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By David - February 26 - 8:10 pm

  I was looking for a replacement to my 05 Audi 3.0 Quattro. I have driven Audis for years and thought I would be purchasing another. Then I test drove a used G35xS for the first time. Never looked back. I have owned many cars over the years and this is by far my favorite. Great all-around vehicle with all of the technology and toys for less money than an Audi, BMW or Lexus. I avg. 20 mpg in mixed driving. This car is a screamer. The "S" package takes it to another level with the sport seats, paddles shifters and beautiful 18" rims. Make sure you test drive one of these if considering a sports sedan w/ AWD.

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  I Like It - Very Much - 2011 Infiniti G Sedan
  By yoda4 - February 26 - 10:13 am

  2 months in so far. This car is great. The ride and handling are awesome; the ride is firm but comfortable. Hard core power-heads will want the 3.7L, but I find the 2.5L to offer excellent power. I wish it did not require premium gas. I understand that this allows Nissan to achieve higher peak hp, but the peak hp folks are buying the 3.7L, so... I am not totally blown away by the styling. Other contenders were BMW and Mercedes. I like the looks of both of those better, but horror stories about reliability and repair costs ruled them out. Style is very personal, and many will disagree, but I prefer a more traditional, angular style. Despite that, I bought this car and I am very happy.

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  A Posh Pathfinder - 1997 Infiniti QX4
  By D. OConnor - February 25 - 12:16 am

  As a first car, the QX4 has served me well. Its got good looks and above-average handling for a truck on its side, but as time wore on its, deficiencies became more and more apparent. Gas mileage is awful; 15 mpg is about the norm for me and I can rarely go more than 250 miles on a tank, this with a (horribly gutless) V6! The ride is choppy in the back seat, which itself is cramped with next to no headroom for me, though admittedly Im also 61". And while the overall maneuverability is good, the steering is way too heavy and has little feel (it also seems to be permanently misaligned despite a visit to the shop, which may just be an age-related issue).

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  Great Car...Great Deal - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By kd - February 24 - 9:13 pm

  I love my I35! You get a lot of bang for your buck. Excellent acceleration, and smooth ride! If you are looking for a car in the I35s class, you must drive this one!

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  Great Performance - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Steve - February 23 - 7:30 pm

  We just bought the car 5 days ago. The power is intoxicating to say the least! Brakes are great. The interior is so much nicer than the 2006 model. The seats have good side bolsters for those spirited backroad jaunts. The fuel mileage is pretty poor at 18 mph average so far. Hopefully it goes up a few more points after break-in period. The ride is similar to the BMW 325is coupe I had a few years back, sporty but not too bumpy. Havent driven in the snow yet, but I assume the all-wheel drive and the narrower 17 inch tires should be ok. Once the snow is gone, this car will get a set of 18 inch sport wheels and tires. I think the Boxster will stay in the garage until spring!

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  Amazing Car - Terrific Price - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By JimmyFast - February 22 - 4:26 pm

  There is really no competition for this car in its category and price range. Youre basically getting a $60,000 car for half the price. Sure the interior could use a bit more "luxury" and intuitive layout-- but thats not why you buy this car. I basically just want to load the 6-CD changer, program a bunch of channels on my XM radio, quit my job, and drive around the Texas Hill Country until my money runs out...

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  great car! better than bmw! - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By se - February 22 - 10:00 am

  i looked at the bmw 330ci, the mazda rx8, and the infiniti g35. i wanted a coupe-stick shift. i wanted performance without the hefty price tag. this car is a couple thousands dollar more than the rx8, but so much more powerful, and its exterior/interior looks a lot sleeker too. now if the rx8 had twin-turbos, it could be different. this car is at least 5 thousand dollars less than the bmw, but has more horse- power and gives the driver much more excitement. i came in looking for a bmw, but i left unexpectedly surprised by the g35. you MUST test-drive this car! its got the engine, the suspension, the looks, and the price!