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 car of 2000 - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By richard meyer - December 1 - 6:09 pm

  Car is wonderful to drive. Technology is nonreliable poorly designed.. It takes 3-4 minutes for apps to load on start up- seems ok but during that time you can not turn radio on or off or change channels or volume. The back up camera lines do not work during app loading. The telephone connection for apple is constantly stopping Now I cant make any calls and am told I need to await a update and have no telephone with no time to correction they tell me the car was designed for apple technology but apple was not ready and they put microsoft in as a last resort- TERRIBLE In addition with poor design of left stalk it rotates off of auto light on turn signaling leading to possibility of either leaving lights in or alarm going off with stopping engine I was able to end my lease early and trade out of car. Now have jaguar f pace. Technology works and car is great to drive. Infiniti had zero tolerance to scratches etc. attempted to bill $15 for scratch! Stay away

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  best car of 2000 - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By richard meyer - December 1 - 6:09 pm

  Car is wonderful to drive. Technology is nonreliable poorly designed.. It takes 3-4 minutes for apps to load on start up- seems ok but during that time you can not turn radio on or off or change channels or volume. The back up camera lines do not work during app loading. The telephone connection for apple is constantly stopping Now I cant make any calls and am told I need to await a update and have no telephone with no time to correction they tell me the car was designed for apple technology but apple was not ready and they put microsoft in as a last resort- TERRIBLE In addition with poor design of left stalk it rotates off of auto light on turn signaling leading to possibility of either leaving lights in or alarm going off with stopping engine I was able to end my lease early and trade out of car. Now have jaguar f pace. Technology works and car is great to drive. Infiniti had zero tolerance to scratches etc. attempted to bill $15 for scratch! Stay away

• 

  2 many shortcomings? - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By Steve - October 23 - 5:43 am

  Got this G37 as a less expensive but highly touted alternative to BMW. Driven it 300 miles. Very strong engine & handling and road feel the equal of any BMW 3 or 5. Nav system controls are way too busy & confusing. The show stopper for me is the drivers seat. Good adjustable lumbar support, but very hard bottom to the point of being painful after 30 mins. Driver seat adjustments are also difficult to access & didnt help my 62" frame even though the leg room is very adequate. Good news is that Inifiniti is customer focused & letting me swap the G for the larger M with better seating without penalty. Thanks Infiniti.

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  My M45 - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By PJRLITE - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Three months into my new M45 , I am generally pleased. Dash layout , road noise ( wind and underbody )and transmission delay are all points of concern . ...For $45K I should have gone with a BMW 5 series.......

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  2005 QX56 4X4 - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By jlolson - July 18 - 9:06 pm

  I bought this vehicle because I LOVE my G35. The QX is a decent ride with a powerful engine and lots of cargo room. Seats move around easily, third row folds flat and is easily accessed. The QX Comes equipped with cheap tires that wont stay balanced and need to be replaced for a good ride. Interior appointments are nice except for the dash which is straight out of the Armada and not up to luxury standards. The Nav system is sub-par for a vehicle in this price range, Acuras nav is 100 times better. With not a lot of Japanese vehicles to chose from in this size and price range its not a bad vehicle but I dont love it like my G35.

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  Loved it, but showing some concerns with time - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By dennyw1 - July 6 - 9:48 pm

  The JX35/QX60 has a pleasant look, great interior, and probably the best seating arrangement for a vehicle in this size and price range. I have the Premium, Driver Assistance and Theater packages. It is not a snappy driver, but for long trips with the family it is quiet and the safety features generally work very well on the highway. The first 8 months were wonderful. Then the problems started. Be very careful in checking out the brake pedal. At times it will “fall to the floor” or hit the physical stop. Happens on JX and QX. Two of last four months in the shop for a variety of issues (primarily brakes and interior). Replaced all the leather. Concerned about long term safety & cost

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  Questionable Vehicle for the price - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By Patrick-1344545 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I find the ride unresponsive, too much play in the wheel. Why is a 255HP vehicle have fron wheel drive-- It feels weird? Headlights come on automatically too soon.

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  Unreliable and poor quality componets - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By ironpete0827 - April 10 - 9:54 pm

  As a person who worked in the automotive industry, I was always impressed with Nissans value for the money spent. When time came to purchase a vehicle for my wife I chose the 2002 Infiniti I-35 Sport. In the 12 years weve owned this vehicle I have put over $6000.00 in repairs in only 150,000 miles. Replaced rear brake calipers three times due to faulty design. Cam-shaft sensors twice, MAF sensor, numerous vacuum lines due to splitting, leather interior stitching came apart. Moonroof motor, and alternator.Car spent more time in shops then serving the family, and I now have sworn off Nissan , though I own a 72 datsun 240 and a 1991 300zx. Very poor choice of vehicle.

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  Not impressed - 2002 Infiniti Q45
  By crispybee - March 18 - 6:27 pm

  No doubt this is a comfortable ride, but the joy stops there. Maintenance is a wallet-draining nightmare, and with the price of (premium only!) gas these days, along with a dismal 16 mpg fuel efficiency, this car is a waste of money. The high-powered headlights are great until one needs to be replaced (at a premium price, of course). This car spent almost as much time in the shop as it did in my driveway. The paint and body are ridiculously fragile. I traded mine in for a Subaru. I only wish I would have done it sooner.

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  Stay clear of this one - 2002 Infiniti QX4
  By DSS - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car 5 months ago and I have had numerous problems with it. It has been to the dealership at least 10 times. Issues include failed power windows (passenger and driver side), rattling vents (one actually pooped out), squeaking sound from rear hatch and vibrating rear view mirror. The extra $$$$ you pay for the supposedly great Infiniti dealership and headquarters service is a sham. I have told all that would listen to stay clear from this brand until they get their act together. If you want service get a Lexus. If you want performance get a BMW. If you need the room get the Acura. Stay clear of the QX4.