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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  Wind Noise - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By William Close - April 17 - 2:06 pm

  The wind noise has been so bad, we cancelled our summer trip to North Carolina. Eight trips to the dealer, telephoned to California. After a year of frustration, I was told " we do not make that model any more sorry". I am paying off the 39 month lease for $24,000 and selling it to local dealer for $20,000. Anyone else had this sad experience?

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  OK for a second car - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Don Paluh - April 12 - 2:20 pm

  I got played by the dealer, so I started with a negative attitude. I had several intermittent electrical problems which were never fixed despite several trips to the dealer. For the exceptionally stiff ride and cramped quarters, it doesnt handle any better than my VW Passat. Roll down the window in the rain and get soaked, and the wipers seem to leave a constant puddle on the windshield right in front of my field of view. Fuel economy is well below claims, even if you dont get into it. Cow-catcher front end scrapes most speed bumps and driveway aprons. The rating number is actually going to come out high because of the actual rating questions do not cover any of the problem areas.

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  Not thrilling but nice - 2013 Infiniti JX
  By mike997 - April 9 - 3:55 pm

  We did a lot of research before deciding on the JX and we have been driving it for about 3 weeks. We are leasing it so this review is based upon a fully loaded model (every package, MSRP was $58k). I will say it is a perfect, flat-land cruiser for mom. I love the interior design and appointments. The exterior, i think, is the most flaterring - GMC, Acura, Honda & Toyota all just look the same; the JX has style. We live in moderate hills in the SF Bay Area and the JX really stinks on the gas milage - we avg 14 mpg. Also backing up the driveway is very sluggish, must be the CVT. My wife says "its just not peppy and seems sluggish" however once on the flats its fine.

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  Just Poor Quality - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Lemon - April 1 - 11:26 pm

  First, I love my infiniti but not sure why given the poor quality of the build. Problem 1. Cant fill it with gas. Fuel tank issues - took about a 1/2 dozen trips to the dealer to sort it out. Problem 2. Creaking from the front end. Dealer still troubleshooting but looks like its the suspension rods. Currently 5 sets on backorder and thats just 1 dealer! Problem 3. At 25000 miles my brakes are completely shot. $1,000 repair bill for new front rotors & pads, plus remachined rears and new rear pads. Thats $700 per year!!!

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  Many Pros and Many Cons - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By adidasgirla - March 31 - 1:24 pm

  My husband is a used car dealer but when I got pregnant with our first child in October we decided to buy a new car to know for sure we wont have any problems. We bought the QX60 for the size, price, and brand. We got a fully loaded one with a DVD player for the kid in the future. While I was pregnant the car was the most comfortable thing to drive, but in December it stared to make engine noise. I took it to Infiniti and they couldnt hear it. It got so bad that in March they finally heard it and said it was an issue with the bearings in the engine, it took them 2 weeks and they fixed it, but it is coming back again. Also, now that I had the baby the car is not that comfortable.

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  G35X over the Cadillac CTS-AWD - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By Michael2003 - March 20 - 1:50 pm

  It was a really tough task to pick a winner in comparing the G35 to the CTS, but in the end I went with the G35. The things that made the G35 more attractive, and therefore my choice were: backup camera, built-in bluetooth, active cruise control, 4k lower price (with all wanted options).

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  Still new, but should be fun - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By Dave - March 15 - 7:36 pm

  Ok, Ive only had it for a very short period but the car is really fun to drive. Aside from the sub-par Bose stereo display and poor functioning rear-view mirror, I would have to say that I am happy that I chose this over the 05 GTO.

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  SWEEEEEEEET ride !!! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By SL-SP - March 14 - 10:00 am

  Great car...love it...especially in the pearl white..man do you get looks!!! hehe runs perfect...quiet but when you gas...u take off!!!

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  Tiger under the hood! - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By epg35man - March 8 - 11:10 pm

  Stepping on the gas of this car is like unleashing a mad beast. You can feel it in the push you get, you can hear it when the engine growls, and you can see it as your speedometer and tachometer leap up from zero. I have the premier package, which gives me a navigation system, a Bose sound system, and power everything. This was my first grown-up car after owning compacts my whole life. I will never go back! The only drawback is in the brakes, that need to be replaced every 9,000 or so. Still, Infiniti held them under warranty for 36,000 miles, so I feel pretty good about that for the next couple of years. Buy, buy, buy!

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  Disappointed in the - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Disappointed12345 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Good stuff: braking is incredible, engine performance "wows" you, impeccable safety features, great styling, fantastic reliability, fun to drive. Problems: if you dont need or really want the sport-tuned suspension package, dont get it--it produces a very stiff ride that dont not match the sophisticated elements of this car. The placement of the seat controls is a problem! What I dislike is the discomfort. The seat control panel is made of plastic and is integrated into the seat in such a way that it puts an annoying "hotspot" on my leg.