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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  This was my Dream Car when it came out. - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By DBarnes - November 15 - 7:20 pm

  Wow I rented this car at Hertz...Wow was I impressed so much that I found one after wrecking my Neon.... The speed of this car is out of this world..But I have replaced my Cd player 2 times $900 both times..Brakes not too mention tires$900, rotors. My leather seat cushion is breaking away from the seats. Light bulbs that only Infiniti can replace. Compressor went out, Left window is off track, and tonight my radiator goes out...I think this will be my last Infinti...

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  99 I30 Ltd - 1999 Infiniti I30
  By islandgrl64 - November 13 - 2:00 am

  2nd owner--previously a leased car. I have owned it over 1 year and mostly still enjoy the drive and handling.

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  Great car--low gas mileage - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By SteveB - November 9 - 5:36 pm

  The Infiniti M45 handles like a sports car. It has cutting edge electronics-- the best navigation system available, laser cruise control, keyless ignition, rear camera, an audible warning if you get too close to the white line. Based on my experience, reliability is excellent. The only negative: 15-16 mpg. Since I drive about 8000 miles a year, the low milage doesnt cost me very much. To me, its worth it to have such a high performing, comfortable and technologically advanced car.

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  THIS is a different vehicle! - 2011 Infiniti QX56
  By snakebite3 - November 8 - 2:04 pm

  I bought a 2010 QX56 and kept it a total of 4 weeks before trading it for a Sequioa. So... I Took my wifes G37x in for routine maintenance one day a few weeks ago and while waiting for the work to get finished, saw the new 2011 QX56 and thought to myself "Wow that thing is ugly." A salesman approched me and asked if I wanted to drive it and I declined, telling him I had bought a QX last year and traded it after only one month. He said, "But THIS QX is way different that last years model." So...I drove it. And then I bought it! And so far, this vehicle is the best ridding, the quietest (wind noise? what freaking wind noise?), best equipted, most awesome SUV ever.

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  Good but a problem - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By Ken - November 7 - 9:20 am

  I love my I30 except for one significant problem. Pinging/detonation. Frequently when I give it substantial gas on accleration I get pinging. I run premium gas and have talked with the dealership. They indicated they could try cleaning the injectors but there werent any guarantees this would fix the problem. I would not buy a 2000 model year again. Go up to at least a 200X model that has the 3.5 liter motor and higher horsepower. I think they improved the computer program to fix this problem and allow the car to run on regular gas.

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  What a ride! - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By wslowry - November 5 - 2:00 am

  The acceleration in this car reminds me of a 1968 Road Runner I had in my twenties except this car corners. I traded in a BMW 740I and in some ways this is a step down but in many ways it is an improvement. The A/C in the seat is great for the climate here in Florida. The warranty is 4/60 bumper to bumper and 6/70 drivetrain with lifetime free road assistance - hard to beat. The styling may not be your cup of tea but I can tell you it is an impressive vehicle to see in person - its obviously a car of substance. The extra 50 horses over the 5 and 7 series bimmers is going to come in handy I suspect. Gas mileage is a little scary though.

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  This is a dangerous car! - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By rose225 - October 31 - 5:03 am

  Dont even think about purchasing the G35 Sport Coupe as a "daily driver" (as the service folks at my local dealership like to say)if you live anywhere above the Mason-Dixon Line. This car is dangerous and CANNOT be driven with ANY amount of snow or slush on the road (I do mean ANY amount). I did not expect this car to handle like a front-wheel or 4-wheel drive, but this is RIDICULOUS. I have never experienced anything like it during my 45 years of driving. Infinitys customer relations people (who I was fortunate to be able to talk to after avoiding a serious accident injury) say that this is a "sports car" and have suggested that I consider trading it in for another vehicle.

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  I love my SUV - 2000 Infiniti QX4
  By Christine759 - October 25 - 10:00 am

  I really love my SUV, it is fun, the inside is beautiful, I love the space,takes up some gas but that is the price you pay for an SUV. If I had to trade it in I dont think I would.I am very happy with it,the ride is great, smooth,quiet,I LOVE IT.

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  OG - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Ogee - October 25 - 10:00 am

  Pretty good car. Initial quality not so good though because of dealership mishandling (they actually forgot to put washer fluid before giving it to me), alignment(pulls to the right), paint issues (lots of scratches), and starting problems (car wouldnt start until I put it into neutral(Im hoping this doesnt happen again).

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  Value Price Tag but Costly to Drive - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Ken - October 25 - 3:53 am

  After over 2 years, Im starting to see that the G35 can be costly to drive. I only get about 20 mpg combined w/mostly highway driving on a 6MT(below EPA estimates). Im filling my tank about as often as I filled up my previous car that had a tank half as big and took regular UL. The rear tires were at the 2mm wear limit after only 22k mi -- tires that cost about $250/tire. The Brembo pads will probably last to almost 50k mi, but will cost three times as much as other pads. Rotor swaps will cost over a grand. Even so...the handling, acceleration, and exterior styling still bring a smile to my face. The interior lacks a bit. The NAV is difficult to use because of the jumpy joystick.