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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  My New Q50 - 2016 Infiniti Q50
  By Raymond Gross - July 1 - 9:55 pm

  I leased a new Q50 when they first came out three years ago. That car had some issues (most notably the computer), but when my lease was up I decided to give the Q50 another try. I absolutely love my new Q50. The computer issues have all been resolved and I dont notice any of the issues I had with my last one. Even though the engine is a bit smaller, the turbo gives the car plenty of power. It also handles like a dream. The sports seats provide great support. And I love all the technology. After having two Q50s, I cant imagine owning a car without the surround view cameras. But best of all, the dealers were bending over backwards to move the cars over Labor Day weekend. The final cap cost on my new lease was over $10k below sticker (with the only upfront payment on my part being the customary drive offs). I would highly recommend this car.

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  2-yr summary - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By Retiree - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I love the way it looks but dont like taking it on long road trips. Too noisy and uncomfortable seats.

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  Disappointed - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By Lee - June 25 - 10:16 pm

  Purchased the M45 after owning a BMW 525, then a 2000 740IL. The Tech package of the M is awesome. Love the 3D GPS, voice activated controls, rear backup camera, A/C control seats (could be better), and overall looks. But from the very first oil change, have noticed using oil; not leaking, not smoking, but I have added from 1 to 2 quarts between changes. Also, moonroof leaks in any car wash, have had to have the AC serviced each year. Heated and cooled seats do not compare to the BMW. Ride is noisy, low-profile tires look great, but makes bumpy ride. If battery dies, no way to open the trunk (for jumper cables).

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  My Coupe - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By bun84067 - June 8 - 10:00 am

  As soon as I saw the car I knew I wanted it. I loved the look of the 350Z but needed a backseat. The G35 gives me a nice look with a decent- sized interior. The car has plenty of power. I got the automatic, for convenience, and now wish Id chosen the manual. The car lags a little when you "romp" on the gas, as it down-shifts. The steering responds nicely, but theres a fair amount of body roll when turning with speed. The interior is OK. I find the seats very comfortable.

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  Not bad but lacking - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Henryd - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Im surprised reading all the good reviews for this car. Sure, the car looks great but there are some things one should consider before buying. First, let me say I have not driven the car, went to the dealership to check it out and thats where it ended. The dashboard is just not nice, its small and not revealing a pricey car. The front seats are nice, and thats all. The back seats are a disaster waiting to happen. Im 5.11 feet tall and I could not use the back seat without hitting the rear window ! I wouldnt put anyone on the back seat from fear of getting them hurt on any little bump on the road.

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  Reliable Performance Car - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Jeff S. - May 25 - 5:43 pm

  I have to say overall this has been a very reliable car. After 182,000 miles, it still runs strong and has very little problems. However, over the life of my ownership, I have had to replace the wiper motor, rear axle bearings, radio/climate control electronics and driver seat slide mechanism. It also, as others have noted, has a weak design of the front wheel struts which continually creak when making hard turns. This is especially noticeable during cold winters. I have averaged 28 miles on the highway which is 90% of my yearly miles so it is respectable. All in all Im sold on Infiniti and have just purchased an 08 M35 as a replacement.

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  Poor interior quality :-( - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By K. Kimmel - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Car looks/handles great, but VERY disappointed with quality of interior const.......when delivered, the vehicle had noticeable rattling from shelf behind back seat..after 3 service visits, issue not quite resolved....merely a matter of inadequate materials for location(cheap fiberboard). Problems with power windows(twice), and overall, the 3 month-old car has more interior squeaks and rattles than a 3 yr. old Jeep Grand Cherokee that was driven around construction sites(i.e., rear qaurter window sounded like it was going to fall out!) Out of all the vehicles Ive ever owned, this is also the ONLY one that has a problem playing CD-R discs too!

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  2014 QX60 - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By ousoonerrick - May 7 - 4:51 am

  I purchased a new QX60 in Houston last week. It only has 550 miles on it at this time. The rear air conditioner does not work properly and the transmission slips when changing from first to second gear when you take off slowly. Extremely disappointed. I bought the car for my wife to drive with our 16 month old twins in tow so they would always be safe when driving. Guess I will just have to hope the transmission does not fail while the kids and wife are out alone.

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  1998 Infiniti I30 - 1998 Infiniti I30
  By TYM - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1998 Infiniti I30 used in 2000. It had 25,000 miles on it. It now has 71,000 miles. Overall, it has been a very reliable car. It has had a few problems (recall on power steering hose and alternator) and the battery exploded! However, a new one was installed and there was no damage to the electrical system.

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  unsafe to drive at certain speeds - 2003 Infiniti M45
  By candidph - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Unsafe factors are that the vehicle hesitates two to three seconds when sudden acceleration is required such as for merging lanes in freeway traffic. The cruise-control "collision avoidance" feature tends to cause rear- end collisions because it causes the vehicle to suddenly decellerate when it tries to pass a truck-trailer rig on an adjacent freeway lane, especially on an inside curve. There is a severe blind spot at the left and right windshield post and adjacent car door (where the rear-view mirrors are mounted) for people of short stature like myself, a problem for close manuvering.