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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  Well built luxury ride - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By Frank - November 12 - 1:10 am

  I35 is an good deal if you want the performance of a G35 and room space of a luxury ride. I am glad that I bought it!!

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  Everything Done Right - 2008 Infiniti QX56
  By JB - November 10 - 2:13 pm

  We are extremely happy with the QX. After looking at everything out there, (and I do mean everything), we chose the QX for its blend of comfort, performance, quality, features and style. There are other vehicles out there that do some of the individual aspects better, but none that impart the thoughtful implementation that makes this vehicle the whole package. Everything is well thought out and very well executed. After living with it for awhile, you realize that all the "little things" are just right, and everything works together in harmony for a delightful driving experience. Exceptional value for the money.

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  Luxury refined - 2004 Infiniti I35
  By Bad C - November 10 - 12:26 am

  I have owned 5 cars in the last 10 years. Accord, Camry, Mazda 6, etc. I should have started with the I35 and saved a lot of money!

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  by rich - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By rich de george - November 9 - 8:36 pm

  powerfull,comfortable and excellentin the snow. needs improvement on some luxury features such as auto locking voice activation power rear seats and fold in mirrors. I have had problems with the brakes and a shammying, two times in a 10 mo. vehicle has a lot of cabin nose.

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  Mediocrity at its best - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By gecurb - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Good car, but not great. Does most things ok, but could be better. Ride is harsh, feel every bump and imperfection in the pavement. Transmission frequently slow to downshift (sometimes feels like 0 to 60 in 8 minutes). Big turning diameter is frustrating. Fortunately, it is reliable. I find it difficult to find a really comfortable seating position for both the wheel and the gas pedal.

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  Infiniti is making a major statement - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By theobro - November 9 - 10:00 am

  The powertrain is better than anything I have driven in the class by a sizable margin. The exterior styling is unique and dramatic. It handles extremely capably while providing a fairly smooth ride. The interior seemed to compromise new age and classic luxury, but doesnt quite integrate the two styles successfully. The control stalks are an odd shape and the drivers seat controls and parking brake are misplaced. Seats are very comfortable and keep you firmly in place in sharp cornering. By the way, dont expect to find a G35 on the dealer lot for anywhere near the base MSRP (add at least $3000).

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  Poor reliability after two years - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By lvnvdriver - November 8 - 1:50 am

  We have had way too many service problems with our G35 to be able to give it a positive review. It has had problems with the brakes, it had an electrical system problem, and there have been other issues which have required taking it to the dealer more often than should be the case for a two year old vehicle.

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  A better price to performance ratio doesnt exist... - 2013 Infiniti G Coupe
  By bgf18 - November 5 - 10:35 am

  I recently leased a 2013 G37S 6MT.Simply stated, this car provides the best bang-for-the-buck of any rear-wheel drive, sporting/luxury coupe on the market.ThatÂ’s it.Overall this car is about BALANCE.The Infiniti doesnÂ’t do anything the BEST, just a lot of things really WELL - and for a sensible price.The stiffer ride, vibrating shifter, slight wind and road noise, and raucous engine are all meant to remind you that you are driving a sporting vehicle, not a Lexus LS.With that said, it still is an Infiniti so it is reliable, beautiful and reasonably luxurious.A BMW 335 is a more refined car with similar performance, but costs WAY more and is completely anonymous looking (in my opinion).

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  Good-Looking Car - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By GMoney - November 5 - 6:13 am

  This car was purchased by me as the 3rd owner at about 74k and had rotors and pads replaced at the dealer, only 7k later they were shot and Im not an aggressive driver either, it just eats breaks very quickly and they are very "touchy" as well as the gas pedal. The transmission jerks into 2nd gear a lot, and definitely wouldnt recommend using the autoshifter because you will tear up your transmission very quickly, and its pricey to replace. The car has a cheap feel to all the plastic pieces of the interior. Overall it drives smooth but is ridiculously bumpy on the slightest cracks in pavement. The car is fast but awful on gas, maybe 20MPG, I get 290 miles per tank at most, use 89oct not 93oct.

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  Look no further - 2004 Infiniti M45
  By Tbone - November 4 - 3:43 am

  I havent loved a car this much since my 88 Mustang Conv. GT. The 2004 M45 is fast, comfortable, anf hot with all the jazz. I stopped talking to the car after two weeks (voice activated stuff is cool but useless once you know what to push). In a car with this much electronics and intelligence, the analog clock is a wonderful touch. The interior is gorgeous.