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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  Wow - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By cmansu - April 30 - 3:56 am

  This is an amazing ride. It is fast, nimble and has every fun feature you could ask for in a car. I looked at the BMW 335 & Lexus I350, but this was a lot less money for the same car.

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  Excellent drivetrain but not perfect... - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By timmietz - April 29 - 9:20 pm

  I have to admit-I am a bona fide car nut and, therefore, notice a lot of things that an average person would not. With that being said - overall I definitely like the G35. It is indeed a car that is a good value but there is a lot of room for improvement. Please see my RANTS and RAVES below.

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  Makes me do bad things - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Chris - April 22 - 1:23 pm

  I got a G35 coupe in July with the special financing before the G37s were coming out. The BMW 335i is probably better, but its 15k more. Doesnt quite have the power Id like at low RPMs that Id like, but at high RPMs it does great. I find myself making excuses to push this car and drive in a manner some would consider inappropriate. The sports suspension is a tiny bit stiff, but in all, its a great car.

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  Probably the top dog for large SUVs - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By FatDog - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought a full-loaded QX56 with rear camera and DVD entertainment system. I still think its probably the best large SUV between $50K-60K. Its definitely much better than its American competitors (i.e., Escalade and Navigator). I like the exterior, very "pimpy" but not too obnoxious. The interior, however, is not as sophisticate as I would like it to be. The interior needs another round of makeover to make it superior than Nissan Armada. Otherwise, I am fairly happy with my purchase.

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  Good, But No BMW - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By G35-323 Owner - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I own a 2004 G35 and a 1999 BMW 323i. The G35 is faster, smoother, more comfortable driving around town, and more comfortable on a long road trip. The G35 is also roomier, has a larger trunk, and a better stereo. However, the BMW is more fun. The BMW handles better, has more comfortable seats, and it makes you feel like driving faster in all situations because it is easier to control. Overall, the G35 is a better luxury car, the BMW is a better sports sedan.

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  2009 G37 X Review - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By dave - April 18 - 10:53 am

  I test drove TL S-AWD, BMW 335 X drive, and G37 X. BMW 335 gave me the best driving experience in terms of acceleration, handling, brakes, and comfort. G37 was good too but not as good as BMW. I bought the G37 because I got 6 grand off MSRP and its roomier inside. Im sure its a lot more reliable than BMW.

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  Still Not a BMW or a Lexus - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By msiseng - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Nissan/Infinity needs to do some work, but is slowly getting there with the G35. I cannot figure out how the engines in the sedan and the coupe differ? Crafty Nissan/Infinity marketing explains the difference of 20 hp between the sedan and the coupe. This is also the same engine as the 03 Nissan Z and the 03 Nissan Altima 3.5. Nissan uses the same engines and expects the public to believe they are somehow different? No amount of "tweaking" the air intake or the exhaust can illicit an extra 20 hp! Who are they fooling?

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  Infiniti is like family to me - 2018 Infiniti QX30
  By Lynn - April 7 - 9:09 pm

  I have driven an Infiniti G35 coupe for 15 years, got it when they first came out in 2003. My husband wanted me to find a more practical (i.e. cargo carrying) vehicle so I would stop borrowing his car. I looked around but kept going back "home" to Infiniti. I liked the look, size and handling of the QX30. I would have preferred a hybrid but settled for a known commodity. I like the car - it is the "sport model". I am trying to drive it in "E" "Economy Mode" even though I am used to the acceleration of my old "G" car. So far it is only averaging about 25 MPG H/C. That was advertised at 31 on their sales sticker. Also I lost my "heat seats" from previous cars and the back hatch does not have an automated release (WHAT???) for 37k it definitely needs a button opener for the back hatch. I like the car, I like Infiniti.

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  Street tank Highway Cruiser - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By serezhkin - April 5 - 1:47 am

  Bought the car used with 115k. Driving impressions: the car is like a tank in the city: huge turn radius, horrible mpg (14/city), poor rear visibility makes it hard to park. Performance is ok for 230hp. I come from 97 528i, and some minor features are missing, and interior quality is not as great. HID lights are all fogged out by now and barely illuminate the road. However, over 2 years I only had the following issues: replaced ECU and defective idle control valve ($500), power steering hose ($300). Oxygen sensor fault popped up once in a while - replaced spark plugs and now its gone (at least for now). Thats all! Now the pros - read them in the favorite features below.

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  Very nice - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Cerebrus - March 31 - 10:00 am

  Love it so far; awesome ride, acceleration. Most bang for your buck of any car in its class. Great looks, very unique. It has a BMW-feel to it; solid and stiff. The interior is not as uniformly nice as BMW, but its not bad.