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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  Great car - 1998 Infiniti I30
  By Infiniti_for_life - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my I30 for about 1 1/2 years and have driven it pretty hard. I havent had any problems with it other than the drivers side airbag seems to have a faulty connection in it so the airbag light blinks. Everything else works great. For a car with 113k miles, it has been well worth the money.

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  Getting ready to trade... - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Big Dave in ohio - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Great Owner Group drives Nissan hard on warranty issues: A/C Compressor Brake pads AND Rotors Bose Vibrations/rattles Only got 30k miles on OEM tires and car is REALLY squirrley in small amounts of ice/snow. Transmission is a little clunky and gets to 5th gear way too soon. Probably why gas mileage is on the low side. Drives great on trips and optimal road conditions. Bottom line, really makes the Maxima look attractive for a lot of reasons.

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  Infiniti is under-rated, based on 1999. - 2002 Infiniti Q45
  By F Lee - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Automobiles have been my life, racing and domestic family as well. The first time I drove the Infiniti Q-45 (new 1996) I was completely, totally impressed, and I remain that way as of this day. It just keeps getting better!

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  I Researched For A Year . . . - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By Spooky - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I needed a powerful car. A comfortable car. A car to accomodate my 65" frame. And one with all the requisite bells and whistles. The I35 fit the bill in all respects. In the end it was a choice between the new Saab 9-3 and Infiniti (BMW 5 too small; Lexus dowdy/not my personal style; Audi A4 too small; Jaguar X-Type too expensive/bad history). I must admit the Saab was all over the I35 in terms of exterior style AND interior layout-- gotta love the info screen atop the dashboard! Alas, the Saab was lacking in power and had less "niceties", ie. no cassette??? Infinitis overall value was, in the end, impossible to pass up.

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  Im a fan - 2003 Infiniti I35
  By Infiniti fan - August 5 - 9:30 am

  I love this car. I agree with other reviewers about the turning radius - its like driving a truck. Otherwise, its a great car for the money. The extra features can not be found on any other car for the money. Gas mileage is so-so, but trade-off for the high HP. Have had brakes replaced, but I do mostly city driving. Had a G35 loaner (sticker $44,000) and I hated it. No extra features. This is a much better value. If you can find a used one coming off lease - BUY IT!! The G35 is aimed a t a much younger demographic. I am 48 - female.

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  The Beast Within - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By jrh332 - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Had my choices narrowed down to Audi A6 S line or the M45 Sport. Infiniti won hands down and didnt hurt being roughly $8000 cheaper with about the same equipment level. I know it doesnt have all the Audi features but the Audi doesnt have all the M45s equipment either. Truely a drivers car. The performance out of this 4000 lbs car is something you have to experience. Performance tires may pick up some noise depending on pavement otherwise as quiet as sitting in your living room. Controlled ride and appears to be screwed together pretty good.

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  Very Satisfied - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By khr - July 25 - 11:06 am

  Infiniti did it again with a great car! I love driving this car, it handles great and I highly recommend it! I sold a 2002 BMW 325i to get this car and am glad I did!

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  Excellent Value - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By TheAdjective - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the automatic with Sport Package in December 2002 with every option except the Aero package. Wonderful car to drive -- excellent power and handling. Ive had no mechanical problems at all. I do believe Infiniti cut corners on the interior materials as Ive had to take the car in for dealer service to cure squeaks coming from the headliner area. There are still some occasional rattles around the same area but to a much lesser extent. That said, this car is an excellent value - I do not believe you can get the performance (with true ability to carry 4 adults), dealer support and overall driving satisfaction at this price from another vehicle.

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  Awesome Performance Coupe/Cheap Interior - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Bachfire - July 6 - 10:00 am

  This is the best high performance coupe on the market today. Overall performance is excellent. The 280 HP engine is superb. Car hugs the road in curves and is very fast off the line. Overall driving experience cant be beat. Manual shifting with the automatic is a real thrill. Exterior styling turns heads everywhere I go. Many many compliments. Neighbors are envious!!!! Desert Platinum color is gorgeous. Have a problem when arriving home as I dont want to get out of the car!

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  Circuite board - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Joe - June 26 - 4:03 pm

  We have had 3 infinitis and have been very happy until this G35. The circuit board controlling the AC, heater Stereo, CD etc.will not work. It has been stuck with no stereo CD and AC has been at 64 degrees for the Last 8 months. We have been told it will cost $1500-$2000 to fix it if we are lucky. This seems so outrageous to us. We feel infinite has let us down totally. This should be a recall as the mechanic said many cars of this model have come in for the same problem. We are VERY disappointed in infiniti and would never buy another if this is the way they stand behind their clients. So sorry.