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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  Sexiest Coupe on the Road - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Stinger - November 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is unbelievably sexy and handles and performs like a true sports car. I really feel like Im driving a high quality, high performance car. I look forward to putting more miles on it. I just cant stop driving it!

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  Top notch highway cruiser - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By bahnstormer - November 5 - 3:06 pm

  Recently pulled the I30 out from an almost 3-year garaged hiatus and it still looks fresh after all these years though the paint has seen better days. Cruises effortlessly on European highways with cruise control set at nearly 100mph. Excellent midrange power at the expense of fuel economy. Suspension is tuned for comfort; car gets unsettled during small-radius backroads turns. After 60,000 miles only problem has been with O2 sensor, otherwise trouble- free. I can foresee keeping this car for at least another 5 years. The Bose radio alone merits this, though the rear parcel shelf mounted subwoofer can become boomy. Otherwise, great value, great car.

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  A Japan BMW, sure. But better? - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Joe - November 1 - 9:33 pm

  My wife drives 05 Lexus ES330 while I drive 05 Infinite Q45. I had chances to drive a loaned 06 G35x for total length about 4 weeks (due to services of my Q). I agreed as every one says so far. But 3 shortcomings I have to mention: 1) Eng/Trans noisy; 2) hard suspension/very bumpy on the road; 3) steering is so tighten, you just cannot do single hand steering while turning. It is a great sport car, but not for family or long-distance commute. I had lots fun with it. For $38K, my wife and kids like the Lexus far better. BTW,I love my Q (100X better than G). If I have to spend $38K, I will buy a used Q45 for sure (diff btw Q & G is like day & night). Well, maybe not fair, for a Q owner to review G

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  Good fast car. Always in front. - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By Jack Orr - October 31 - 10:00 am

  The car is not as well packaged as the A6-there is less knee room in back and a very skimpy trunk. But, I found the reason for this is that the fuel tank is located between the back seat and the trunk. The safety benefit of this is obvious. The body is not what I would call a leading edge design. The paint job is excellent, everything fits, the doors close well. Fit and finish is top rate. Suspension is very good. Steering quite up to the task. The most outstanding feature, by far, is the engine. Oh, a last thought. The body is very rigid. No groans or squeaks. And it promises to be very reliable.

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  Beautiful car, but too many problems. - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By prty_prncsb - October 28 - 7:25 am

  I purchased this car used. Upon review of the Infiniti Vehicle Service I found so many problems already corrected from replacing the stereo/radio, seat heater switches, seat track, rotors brakes, tire pressure sensors, and more. Once I completed the required recall Ive had an airbag light issue now. My car is about 5,000 miles over warranty and Infiniti has refused to do anything to help. The first problem they told me the passenger side airbag and module needed replacing. So I paid the $785 to fix. Not a week after getting the car back, it comes on again. Now theyve told me they need to replace the drivers side airbag at another $785. Then they cant even guarantee this will fix it.

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  Terrific 4 door sports car - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By ckaliebe - October 25 - 7:13 pm

  Terrific vehicle. Great 4 door alternative to the 350Z. Excellent fit and finish on the exterior--paint is beautiful. Interior plastic not on par with BMW or Mercedes, but decent. Bose 6CD sounds very good. Gas mileage not great--I average about 22 mpg on a 50 mile daily commute (mostly freeway, cruise set at 74). Very fast, especially at highway speeds in higher gears. Engine sounds like a V8 under heavy throttle. Stability control is excellent. Brake function is best Ive had, but the brakes wear fast. Infiniti replaced all four brakes at no charge at 29,000 miles. Now that gas is over $2.30 / gallon Ive traded for a new Accord. I will miss the fun factor of the G.

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  After 3 Maximas, pleased with I30 - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By JJK - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive been a long-time Maxima loyalist, attracted mostly by a good ratio of luxury to performance, and adequate head room since Im > 6 ft. The I30 was a nice step-up, I had everything I loved about the Maxima with a bit more snob-factor and better service at the dealership. Ive been very happy... Anyone is welcome to send e-mail for more info.

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  very fun, luxurious, sporty car - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By ffaattccaatt2 - October 22 - 10:56 pm

  So I bought a used 04 coupe w/optional 5AT. So far Ive loved every part of it, its very fun to drive, very easy to modify if your into those type of things, very pleasing to the eyes. A few problems I have found with the car are that I have two problems with the windows, one has a lazy motor and one has a cliping problems, sometimes when I close the passenger door the window rolls halfway down a second later (sometimes I dont notice). Other problems I have had are minor (seat height control stoped working). But over all I love this car, very fast, kinda bad on gas but thats what you get for how much power you get. I am very happy with my G!

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  Great Car!!! - 2004 Infiniti Q45
  By Johnney - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful! Many standard features. Bordering on opulent! Very quiet, smooth ride, and cool voice recognition for navagation, radio, and climate controls. Great car!

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  Best sport sedan near $30,000 range - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By tsy - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, good performance.