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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  Best car I have ever owned - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By Driver Bill - March 7 - 9:33 pm

  Thrilled to be an Infinity owner. We bought it for reliability, the heated seats and steering wheel. The Bose sound system with lots of speakers makes driving a pleasure. We hope to keep this car for ten years or 150,000 miles whichever comes first.

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  Well maintained Infiniti I-35, sold in Sept 2016 - 2004 Infiniti I35
  By Frank Maloney - March 6 - 9:54 pm

  Rock solid car, strong, reliable engine, roomy passenger compartment, power and heated everything, and has a rear window shade. Replaced the radiator recently due to cracks. Replaced the struts assemblies. New BF Goodrich Tires only have a few thousand miles wear. Have recently replaced the factory stereo with a new Kenwood (Excelsior model) CD, stereo with all inputs, jacks. All major maintenance performed at Infiniti dealership. Oil always changed every 3,500 miles. Paint is still terrific. A few dings. Interior leather has a few small tears. This is a really good value. Sold the vehicle through CarLotz Auto Consignment in Richmond, VA (West Broad St location) in early September 2016.

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  A Truly Capable Luxo Sport Ute - 2001 Infiniti QX4
  By Auto Expert - February 16 - 2:00 am

  As it is based off of the Nissan Pathfinder, 4-Wheeler magazines 4- wheeler of the year, the QX4 loves to be off road. The QX4 is a great choice if you want a truly capable premium sport utility. It includes a 4-low transmission setting, limited slip differential, uniframe construction and 5000 lb. towing capacity. Consumer Reports named this the most reliable vehicle of all cars trucks and SUVs. If you want a true sport utility with the amenities of a luxury brand this is a good choice. If you want a car with big tires see your Lexus dealer.

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  Poor fuel economy - 2013 Infiniti JX
  By icc2012 - February 11 - 8:46 pm

  Ive been driving the car for about 500 miles and I get under 12 mpg combined highway/city in Sport mode. What is even more outrageous is that if I drive in normal or eco mode all I get is under 9 mpg. Is this other owners experience or this particular vehicle has an issue? Planning to take it back to dealership to check whats going on. Also, sometimes the satellite radio reception in poor? Anybody else having this issue?

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  Great SUV - 1997 Infiniti QX4
  By M Wilson - February 11 - 6:43 am

  This SUV has been a great car to own. It has been completely reliable with no time in the shop for anything. All the bells and whistles still work perfectly and is shines up nicely.

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  So-So.... - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By pontiacdude4 - February 8 - 8:20 pm

  You will have issues with this car... I bought a 2002 with very low miles, 45k, for $8,900. Interior is awsme, its fast, pretty comfortable. BUT.. engine mounts, seat jams, doors dont close well, turning radius, cruise control goes, and now the dreaded A/T light with transmission slip. Looked online, goods news, might not be AT, but sensors (was a recall). Either way, $$.

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  One of the best used car values - ever! - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By RK - February 3 - 1:40 am

  I have owned about 30 cars, old and new, from sport cars to luxury cars to family haulers, and my used I35 has impressed me more than anything Ive ever owned. It is the perfect blend of sport, luxury and utility. Build quality is so good the car still looks and drives like new, even with 120,000 miles on the clock. This is one car I could own forever, since it has the best of everything, and actually could last forever!

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  Q50S Infiniti Computer Debacle - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By rickm2345 - January 20 - 7:06 pm

  I bought a new Q50 Sport AWD in mid-October. It is fun to drive. Performance and handling are great. The interior is well appointed and comfortable. It looks and feels luxurious. The major disappointment with this car is the Infiniti InTouch system. This system is used to control the navigation, climate, and audio systems. The system is takes a long time to first boot up and then is slow to respond to user input. The worst part is that it crashes and locks up all the controls. This was improved with a software upgrade but is still an issue. Its not fun when the navigation system gets reset while following route directions.

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  Comfortable ride, even with glitches - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By Payson - January 20 - 1:36 am

  This new SUV is a lesson in comfort and style on the inside. But Infiniti is still working out the 1st year glitches. AFter a few months the SUV shook violently every time brakes were applied. The Infiniti service team discovered the QX56 has the same exact brake system as the G35! The brakes are way too small for this heavy truck. Big design flaw. Brakes had to be totally replaced early on, but with the same small system which is doomed to fail again. Overall it is fun to drive, handles remarkably well for such a big SUV and is very comfortable. I just suggest waiting until Infiniti gets the kinks worked out.

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  A great car, but somewhat bipolar - 2013 Infiniti M
  By Chris Enlow - January 19 - 10:26 am

  I frequently love my M37, when the ECU isnt fighting itself it has excellent grunt and acceleration. However, you never know what car you are going to get when you crank it; sometimes it is torquey head snapping acceleration and other times it is a high revving whiner with artificial turbo lag that you have to kick in the rear end to get going and then takes off like a rocketship. I feel this is all due to the software that controls the car and it just isnt right for reliable, spirited driving. I do hope there will be a software upgrade that makes this car perform in a more consistent manner.