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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  "Wow" - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By Miss Dot - May 17 - 6:13 am

  I just love my new Infinity. It looks so sleek and eveyone I tell what I drive says, "WOW, nice car".

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  Loads of Fun - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By loads of fun! - May 11 - 4:33 am

  I really enjoy driving this car. Being in sales and on the road alot the Sirius radio is a god send. The fast pick up getting on and off highways is great. As far as styling this car is a looker this is a sexy car even with 4 doors.

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  Not a Lexus - 2003 Infiniti Q45
  By Fatherof4 - May 10 - 2:00 am

  The LS 430 is all around a much better car albeit with a much higher price tag. The Q has no heated seats or compass which ought to be standard in a premium sedan. Resale value is awful and Infiniti service is a myth. I will return to Lexus.

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  Performance over Comfort - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By infinitissues - May 9 - 5:41 pm

  Noisy vehicle for both tires and engine versus BMW smooth competitors. Very powerful and fast, and strong value for the money. Big tradeoffs of comfort versus noise - also expensive to fuel based on MPG + requirement of premium fuel. Interior build had issues, well known threads on interior door pull "peel" issues for finish that Infiniti dealer & corporate customer service refused to cover during warrenty period. Leather also wore poorly. Came in a fan to this vehicle, but its all power over comfort / quality. Trunk, compartments, and passenger area all feel cramped for space. Very rough ride on sport model

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  G-35 Rocks......... - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Mark - May 4 - 7:43 pm

  I bought my G-35 on looks alone, but this car is all that and much more........

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  Enjoy it but hate the brakes - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By CarBuff - April 20 - 1:20 pm

  G35x fully loaded w/ 22.5k miles. Overall Im very happy with my 07 G35x. However after 7k miles and again at 12k miles the rotors warped and had to be resurfaced. At 21k rear brakes were replaced. This is unacceptable for a car that has such low miles. Also the sunroof had to be completely replaced after it froze-up for no reason. The service experience has been average, greasy finger prints on headliner after being returned from sunroof install, broken license plate frame and other annoyances. On the up side the G is fun to drive and I like all bells and whistles. Cant complain about the pricing either. All that said, I would buy another Infiniti.

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  Last of the Q45 line? - 2006 Infiniti Q45
  By Guy - April 19 - 7:30 am

  Motor Trends September 2006 new car review issue did not include a snap shot of the 2007 Q45 leading me to believe that 2006 may be its last year for the US market. Sales of the 2005 models approached Rolls-Royce Phantom levels in the US (only an average of about 22 per state) and fewer still in 2006 (anyone have the US figure through June?) and the failure to even publish a 2006 sales brochure (Infiniti sent me a 2005), though they do e-mail you a four-page 2006 brochure in .pdf led me to this conclusion. The only model produced in 2006 is the Q45s. The very successful M45 might be poised to replace the Q45. If true, I might be willing to part with my showroom Q45s for the right price.

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  Great looks, sounds like a Taxi - 2005 Infiniti QX56
  By Steven ZoBell - April 17 - 1:20 am

  We were looking at several vehicles and fell in love with the styling of the QX56. Love the ride, interior and power. However the vehicle has been in over 10 times in the past 8 months for anything from many large rattles & squeaks, new brake system to having to repaint door molding and roof rack. Just today - the same center console rattle that we have had it in for 4 times started again. This is not a subtle rattle, but a loud one that wakes small children.

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  2013 Infiniti G37X - 2013 Infiniti G Sedan
  By Keith Kamerer - April 17 - 1:07 am

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  In a class of its own - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By parrald - April 10 - 2:00 am

  There is simply no other car on the market that offers all that the G35 does for the same price. If this car had a German nameplate, it would be priced $10K higher than it is. Lexus and Mercedes may be a bit more luxurious, but no other car anywhere near this price range combines sportiness, luxury, and utility as well as this car does. By the way, to truly appreciate this car, the 6 speed manual transmission is a must.