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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  great car but long in tooth - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By ertsfan - April 9 - 4:36 pm

  Very reliable, but bad mileage (19/21). Suspension can be slightly squirrelly. Engine is great; way better than the variable cam Toyota V6.

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  Reliable and Comfortable - 2000 Infiniti I30
  By inthemula - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Reliable and comfortable car. Has all the creature features a luxury car should have. Drives like a big car. Sluggish off the line.

• 

  infiniti QX56 - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By ramamurti - March 31 - 10:00 am

  It is a good SUV.

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  QX-56 First Impressions - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By SGOU - March 31 - 10:00 am

  Ive got to say that Im impressed with the TRUCK so far. Compared to our 1988 Toyota Land Cruise and our 1999 Ford Expedition-which we still own, the QX-56 is leaps and bounds ahead in terms of sophistication, quality, power, and comfort. That being said, the QX-56 is still a truck albeit a very refined, heavy and powerful one. This car will be my wifes daily driver which she will use to haul our kids around to their activities and our weekly drives to Tahoe once the snow starts falling.

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  2006 M45 Sport - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By Brettrun - March 12 - 9:33 am

  I have had this car for about two weeks now and it has been awesome! It replaces a G35 coupe and the difference in fit, finish and quality is amazing. I had two G35s and always was disappointed by the cheap and often squeaky interior. The M45 is a world apart in terms of materials and and the feel of quality. If anything, the car is faster too. There is no substitute for pure V8 power and torque! The list of technology and features on the car is a huge leap also. Especially if you love the gadgets like I do. I compared the Lexus GS and Acura RL and found the M45 to be the best choice for me. It is more of a SPORTS luxury car, but has all the features of the other two if not more.

• 

  Surprised how much I like it. - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By Mark D - March 7 - 11:37 pm

  My wifes Lexus IS250AWD just came to end of lease and in shopping around we stumbled almost by accident into the Infiniti dealer. After talking about the different models we test drove the Q50 and QX50. Very surprised by the Q50 3.7L. I wasnt expecting such a throaty warble from the engine, tight, direct steering and well equipped interior for the price. We have had it only about a month but, very nice.

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  Runs great but eats gas - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Brigitte - February 27 - 2:00 am

  I have every package other than the winter package on this car. This is an awesome performing car, poor gas milage in city - about 14 gpm and have no idea why. Stereo is only okay. I skips all burned CDs even after having it replaced by the dealership. The tires stink. I had a blow-out after 800 miles. Instrument pannel color is orange and very difficult to read during the day. It reflects on the windshiled at night. Manaual clock and steering wheel controls are not lit up. The window controls are hard to reach and so is the button to open the trunk. The glove compartments and trunk are a bit too small. I would not purhcase the G35 again.

• 

  The G35 Experience - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Chilliman - February 27 - 2:00 am

  After 7 yrs of being a loyal BMW owner, I love this car! Brings a grin to my face everytime I drive this car - and I have over 15,000 miles logged! A real head-turner - still get comments a year later. A real GT car - tested both 350Z and BMW330 - but loved the G35. Winter driving is disasterous without snow tires. After installing steel 17" rims with Blizzak snow tires this handles like an AWD or SUV! Climbs hills in 12" of snow! Not happy with mileage (less than 20 mpg HWY) or cheap plastic interior trim. CD-changer too slow and lousy controls on stereo/climate system. This is truly a drivers car!

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  Great Car..YES....Flawless ..NO... - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By AVRed - February 25 - 10:00 am

  G35..This car is one super engine, it flies. Just drive it. The handling is better that 98% of cars on the road but I still think the BMW 330 is better. The only real knock I had on this car was the interior. The G35s materials looked cheap, lay out was not luxury. I didnt like the amber backlighting. The windows pod should be moved it pressed against my knee. Nice to have the gauge pod move with the wheel though. Price...Sweet deal here, The 330 may be nicer but not 8K nicer.

• 

  Not impressed - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By Wilson83274 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  For the money, its an o.k. car but I suggest looking at other options(3 series BMW, Audi A4, Acura TL) before purchasing. My previous car was a 3 series and the fit, finish and overall quality of the 3 exceeds the Infiniti. I dont dislike the car, but I dont love it either - its just average.