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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  not just a Nissan anymore - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By dwightex - May 25 - 2:47 pm

  Its clear that Nissan makes lots of money on the Infiniti, but it is a nice daily driver and pretty nice to look at. Not much torque, but still mid 5s to get to 60 MPG. Its a little bumpy with the run flat 19s. What makes it a great car is the low cost lease. Why drive a used car when you can get a new car in mid 300s per month?

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  Pretty good car - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By mobucky - May 24 - 7:20 pm

  After 3 Maximas, this was my first Infiniti. Car has been a pleasure, with only a couple annoyances. The reading light has burned out four times due to an apparent short that the dealership only identified after the warranty was gone. Leather has been faster to wear than in my Maximas. And the heater/AC motor has developed a loud growl that goes away after 2-3 minutes. Car still looks "fresh" after 6 years and 101,000 miles. Seats are comfortable. Turning radius is awful. Its like turning the Titanic in a farm pond. All in all, though, a good investment and outstanding driving machine for the open road.

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  Lots of car for the money - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By borist - May 21 - 1:57 pm

  If you want economy, get a Prius. This car was designed to get from A to B fast. Its not great for very long trips (the seats are a bit stiff), but to get to work or some party - great! For the money you pay, you get a lot more than 3-series BMW or C-class MB have to offer. This car looks amazing, drives like a rocket, premium package gives you GPS, dual climate control and pretty beefy BOSE audio system. The interior build quality exceeds what C-class has to offer by a mile. Overall - great car. Worth every $ paid for it.

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  Draining experience - 2004 Infiniti Q45
  By Smart and Stylish - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I love my new premium Q. I test drove several cars in its class and they just didnt have the "zoom, zoom, zoom." I have had a unexplained battery drain but other wise have been very pleased.

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  Wish it were more like my 90 ZX - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By ZXzealot - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Overall the car is good. Not as good as my Nissan 1990 ZX was when I bought it new. The seats are very uncomfortable. Also, not as much shoulder and hip room as the old Z. The suspension is good but not as compliant on rough surfaces as the 90 Z ... has some wheel hop. Road noise is high. Wind noise is high. Has a few rattles and squeaks. The Z was rattle free for 7 years. Dont think of it as a luxury car ... its a sporty car. Cerritos Infiniti has been a great dealer.

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  nastys G35 mixed coupe review - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By nasty - May 21 - 10:00 am

  beautiful exterior, great motor, they scrimped on the little things- the struts that should hold the hood up, the seats that should have more adjustments, the plastics that are not up to the rest of car

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  QX4 not perfect either (with Jeep notes) - 2002 Infiniti QX4
  By DanQX4 - May 19 - 10:00 am

  Also looked at Jeep, Yukon, Envoy. All were nice. Picked the QX4 over new Jeep/others due to expected durability. QX4 had problems I didnt expect. The day of delivery I noticed ALL MODE 4x4 got a faint vibration and hum above 30mph noticable only on smooth asphalt highways. Front drive shaft U-joint was bad. The roof rack makes a loud whistle. Feels more cramped than Jeep. I would NOT pay retail for a QX4. I got $6000 off sticker and 3-yr, 1% financing. Take a long drive before signing on the dotted line. Try everything. There should be no change in ride when switching to All Mode from 2WD mode. Gas consumption worse than Jeeps 5.2LV8.

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  Brake Eater - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By BayouDriver - May 11 - 11:36 pm

  This car is fun to drive, great on long trips as well as short. It also looks great and Ive run across several Mercedes owners who looked at both and wished they had bought the G35 Sedan instead. You certainly dont have to worry about having enough power and acceleration for two- lane driving or Interstate maneuvering. But, it does have some maintenance issues that need to be addressed by Infiniti/Nissan relative to their brake wear. I had a Nissan Pathfinder that has brake issues, particularly front and this car eats brakes as well.

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  Time to let go - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By AMH - May 8 - 9:16 am

  Bought new and, even though I am not a "car" person, thought it was the best looking car I had ever seen. It has not cost me anything more than batteries or tires in all of its years. Under warranty the moon roof needed repair and one of the catalytic converters (SES) needed replacement. However, the car now has 97K and has needed a new radiator and another catalytic converter (there are 4), has developed a transmission leak, needs a new starter and the AC has stopped working (all in 2 months!!!). I really like this car but it is time to move on...

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  I shouldve kept my Bimmer...bummer... - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By David Durham - May 7 - 8:10 am

  I was so excited when I got this car and I loved it for about the first 7000 miles. Then the tires were shot due to Infiniti/Nissans issues with the front end of the G35/350Z. I was assured it was an alignment problem and had that reset and 4 new tires put on to the tune of about $1600. Well, I made it about 12000 miles on these until the inside of the front tires were nearly shot again. They had now been swapped to opposite rims in the hopes they will make it until I can trade this thing in. Oh and I just found out I need new brakes and two new rotors and I just hit 30000 miles. What!?! I am not a "spirited" driver in this thing at all. It is fun to drive the G, but it will cost you!