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:

• 

  G37 convertible - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By 1961yankees - July 1 - 11:30 pm

  Great car. Excellent acceleration, braking and handling. Sound system is awesome and looks are incredible.

• 

  Love my new M45 - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By John - June 30 - 7:03 am

  I have owned 6 Q45s and loved them all but this one is the best car yet. Very sporty, roomy, fast, luxorious as well as quiet and sound. I am very happy with it after a week or ownership.

• 

  Love my new M45 - 2006 Infiniti M45
  By John - June 30 - 7:03 am

  I have owned 6 Q45s and loved them all but this one is the best car yet. Very sporty, roomy, fast, luxorious as well as quiet and sound. I am very happy with it after a week or ownership.

• 

  WOW - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By WOW - June 28 - 11:30 am

  I brought this car for my daughter. I wanted something to last her through college. Last Sunday my husband and I was on our way to the store and got hit by a 2007 G35 that was T-Boned by a drunk driver going a 50 miles a hour. There was 300 yards of debris and both G 35 was totaled, but the safety features saved our life. If we were in any other car my husband would probably be dead. I will be replacing the car with the same model.

• 

  A Near-Perfect LuxoBrute - 2008 Infiniti QX56
  By MountainMan - June 27 - 10:56 pm

  Ive had a series of high-end super SUVs, including Landcruisers, Land Rovers, Lexus LX470, and I tested all of their most recent models before buying the QX56. This Infiniti is the best by far. It is huge on the inside, FAR larger than a Landcruiser/LX570 or Range Rover. Far more luxurious and full-featured than any other large SUV other than the Range Rover. Everything is well thought out. The exterior is handsome, especially the gigantic chrome grill and chrome roof racks. These trucks are rare enough to continually look fresh, unlike say an X5. At 5000 mile it is still solid, rattle-free, and a joy to drive. I dont think there is a better large SUV out there at any price.

• 

  A pleasure to drive - 2001 Infiniti I30
  By MichaelS - June 26 - 10:00 am

  We considered Audi, Volvo and VW Passat. The Infiniti was a hands-down winner even though we had to endure a rugged sales experience. The 60,000 mile warranty was huge though we have not had problem one with the car -- except for the time she decided it needed to hit a concrete pole at the car wash. Note: The fog lamps are quite expensive.

• 

  Its all about power. - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By S.Elsaid - June 22 - 10:00 am

  If your first priority is power and acceleration and you cant afford a Porsche, this is the car for you. I just love the confidence feeling driving this car next to most cars on the street knowing that you can smoke them in a heart beat. Corners handling is 8-9/10 or may be I just push too much. Not as quite as a Lexus, not as reputable as a BMW and has less horsepower than the new Acura, but sure as hell faster than all of those. The 52-48 distribution is not a myth, I drove this car 2 days in an Ice storm and my main concern was avoiding the disabled front wheel cars on the road. I think Infiniti did a great job, below are some suggestions to improve.

• 

  Fantastic, But Not Perfect - 2007 Infiniti G35
  By Thomas Windley - June 21 - 8:33 am

  Overall the 07 G35 Sedan is a superb car. Excellent power and handling and the best brakes in its class. Technology and styling make this car practical and functional. Sold a 03 Mercedes Benz CLK500 and the G35 outperforms it. BMW 335i still holds the benchmark for this class but the G35 is a better value. Cannot justify paying $10k more for a similar performing car with less room and options. Disappointing gas mileage, no better than the V-8 Mercedes. EPA of 19 & 26 is a laugh. I havent had mileage on averaage higher than 19 during the four months Ive had the car. Also had some issues with the voice controls for audio and phone. Fantastic car but not perfect.

• 

  G35x - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By dave - June 18 - 2:46 am

  I bought the Infiniti in November of 2007. After a month of ownership I love the car. The features and their accessibility are exemplary. The iPod connectivity allows me to access all the directories of the iPod via the touch screen (and steering wheel controls). The options I bought were the Premium Package, and Navigation.

• 

  For once, everything is perfect. - 2004 Infiniti QX56
  By A E Pearl - June 17 - 10:00 am

  Had a Yukon XL, nice, but not like the Buggy. Have driven most all types of cars, and this one beats them all. I thought my 2004 M45 was nice, until I test drove this SUV. Have not checked the fuel economy, and probably wont. The pleasure, space, comfort, and awesome looks of this vechicle offset any consumption of fuel. Have a 2004 beetle, and only get 22 MPG. Who cares.