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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  Big mistake - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By HAL - July 6 - 7:03 am

  After owning from Porsches (11) to Bmws (4) and various American cars spanning over 45 years, this rates as one of the most overrated and troublesome vehicles I have owned. What makes it worse has been no factory support for these problems, which have been mostly electronics that control safety function such as ABS,Traction Control,Etc.The selling dealer service manager did everything he could to solve the problems, even improvising on his own but was limited by the factory representatives. Back to German cars, forever!

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  Worst purchase decision EVER! - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By D.B. - May 25 - 12:26 pm

  Very disappointed in this purchase. Upgraded from a Honda Oddessey and I regret this decision wholeheartedly. IT IS THE ROUGHEST RIDE EVER AND INCREDIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE. I didnt realize how horrific the ride is while test driving because that is usually a quick ride. I am constantly yelling at my husband to stop driving like a maniac but am realizing it must be the carmechanics or suspension. Either way, I dislike the feel and comfort of the car more and more everyday. I recall it driving slightly smoother the first 3 months we had it and now 10 months in, were all bouncing out of the seats. My kids really dislike riding in the back seats. (I feel terrible because they werent with us when be test drove it.) The engine is getting louder by the day. I dont care for the way this car shifts gears. Seems love it revs up very high before finally settling into the right gear. The lift hate is rusted underneath the chrome panels. It is currently in the body shop getting replaced. Let me remind you the car isnt even a year old yet! The temperature is never just right; either too hot or too cold. The back seat vents are sparse which is likely the reason for the fluctuation in temperature. Im getting roughly 18.2 mpg but do travel frequently. 15k mile "recommended service" is $450+. Ray Catenas complimentary car wash is a joke. Very sloppy on the cleaning overall. My car still had sticker residue on the outside after a few washed by the dealer. I took it to a car wash and paid for the job to be done right. It was like night and day. Overall very disappointed. Should have gone with the MDX. You cant see out the back window when the 3rd row headrests are up and in use.

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  2016 QX80 Test Drive - 2016 Infiniti QX80
  By John Stoll - February 22 - 4:55 pm

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  Subpar quality - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By yossarian7 - January 13 - 7:31 pm

  As CR recently affirmed, QX60 quality is lacking. Just about every trim piece, whether inside or outside is falling off or has fallen off. Even the plastic Infiniti label on the back hatch is in the process of falling off. The tires lasted a whopping 25k miles, and, at 20", they are very expensive. The rear brakes and rotors failed at 20k miles. It is under-powered, the CVT is annoying, it doesnt get particular good mileage, and the steering response feels like there is a rubber band between the steering wheel and wheels. The wind noise increases by the day (the car is simply falling apart), and it is not due to the failing seals because the dealer replaced the seals.

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  Death Ride - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By SC - December 19 - 12:00 am

  Piece of junk. Brake judder with brake replacement plus brake failure times 2. Dealer unable to fix. Requires two trips to have anything fixed. Replaced door lock relay and windshield washer motor. Recalled for fire hazard from trailer light socket. Dealer refuses to fix rear window spray nozzle. Luckily able to avoid 2 crashes when brakes failed. Shakes, rattles and rolls. Drives like a tank. Steering wheel will not come back into place every time. A/C controls are terrible. Gas guzzler.

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  Hate this car - cant wait to get rid of it - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By g35zman - December 3 - 5:46 pm

  I used to love the Infiniti brand and my Q50 is the forth one I have owned. Something has happened to Infiniti reliability over the last several years and its moving in the wrong direction. The worst part is that Infiniti leadership doesnt seem to care. This is also the opinion of numerous Infiniti employees I have talked to. Whats good: great engine and performance. Whats bad: electronics system is a hot mess. Has been in for repairs four times. The Infiniti InTouch system is a joke. The back of my trunk is already developing a rust spot and the car is barely over a year old. Problems with the electronic door locks that leave me out in the rain trying to get into my car!

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  An update for 2009 - 2002 Infiniti Q45
  By Dr. Craig Merrell - November 26 - 12:16 am

  Car has now been flat-bedded for repairs 3 times, am on 4th battery ("Infiniti" batteries are made in Mexico and last me 1-2 years.), entire left side of exhaust--engine to tailpipe--had to be replaced, one entire HID assembly replaced at less than one year, all 4 pressure gauges needed replacement, body shop did poor work and failed to cover all new paint with clear-coat, console cup holder lid requires solid thump to open, glovebox- -with 6-disc changer--has very little room, paint scratches if you look at it cross-eyed, crazing developing in f/r bumper fasciae, transmission still hesitates too much on downshifts, cruise "On" light "assembly" burned out--over $300 (Skipped it.).

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  Beware!!! - 2017 Infiniti Q50
  By srd555 - November 3 - 7:24 pm

  Bought a new 2018 Red sport. Two days after purchase the lower touch screen malfunctions. Took it back to the dealer and was told I NEED A new DCU (the lower screen). I was told it would take 5 days. On the 8th day I had to call to find out whats going on and was told the part is on back order for a month. As of today the month has come and gone and still no car and no idea when I would get it back. Inifiniti customer care has to be the worst in history. I have been lied to and my calls have gone unanswered. They tell me dates, then when the date passes I have to call and then im told another date with no explanation as to why the change. Ive searched the internet and found that the DCU is an on going issue for infiniti since 2014 so they know about it, but when I originally asked if this is something that happens alot, I was told no. This has been my worst purchase ever. The look , power and handling of the car is fantastic but the unreliability of the electronics and the terrible customer service makes this a bad buy. I gave up a reliable Lexus I had for 11 years for this car and it broke in 2 days. This is my first and last Infiniti. After I get it back i need to find a way to get out of it before anything else happens"

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  Problematic Car - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By Steven S - October 23 - 1:33 pm

  This car has had many issues which include electrical, transmission and fluid leaks. The MSRP for this vehicle was almost $60,000. Infiniti USA was not helpful in resolving the issues nor was the dealership where the car was purchased. My wife and I have spoken with other individuals who have had many problems with the same vehicle. I will never buy an Infiniti/Nissan again. I recently saw where Infinitis quality ratings were at the bottom, no surprise there.

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  lemon car - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By jennifer h - October 10 - 12:16 am

  when i bought my car it had 27,000 miles on it. it has been in the shop over 30 times in 9 months. it has had numerous electrical problems, paint peeling off the bumpers ( and they wont do anything to help you), transmission problems, window constatly creaking ( in shop 5 times for this alone), and of course the big one the breaks. i have been told by infiniti itself that you have to replace the breaks and the rotors every 9,000 miles and it cost 500-600 dollars just for the front braking system. the brakes stop fast but it makes a noise that kills your ears and also is head turning because it is so loud. i wish that i kept my ford mustang cobra.....