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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  True Grit - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Dr. Rock - February 25 - 2:00 am

  The car has true grit: tenacious in curves, very fast, short stops, superb handling. A fun car to drive. Good value.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By healey 100-6 - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Picked up G35 w/leather and put 1600 miles on it in 2 weeks. Great car on two lane roads and on the interstates. Even my wife who preferred the 325xi during test drives is now the cars biggest booster. Too bad for her its my car!

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  Beautiful Car - 1998 Infiniti Q45
  By LLLL - February 20 - 10:00 am

  56,000 miles, reliable, wonderful car. Superb acceleration. Though it doesnt hold resale value, its a great car to buy as it doesnt hold resale value, and a good car to keep for same reason. SUPERB dealership service! Our second Q.

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  Great Car!!! - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Jerry Sanders - February 20 - 10:00 am

  The power in this car is unbelievable. We looked at other cars in the $30,000+ price range (Audi A-4 1.8T, BMW 325i, Passat, Mazda 6, etc.) and they just didnt add up. Not near as luxurious nor as powerful. Ive been an avid car mag reader for 28 years, but when it came to actually test driving the German cars, I was more than disappointed.

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  Beware of Brakes - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Kris73 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Replaced brakes at 19,000 miles, read town hall discussions (on this website) before buying this vehicle. You will definitely change your mind.

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  Breaks Squeal - - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By Sad G35 owner - February 19 - 4:36 pm

  37k miles and the brakes have made noise the whole time. They tried new pads & rotors. They say it is normal. Now out of warranty and still squealing. Buyer beware.

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  Vroooom!!! - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By Schafe - February 18 - 11:44 pm

  Im 5 months in with this car and I love it. Its really fast and Ive Ive never had a car that handles the road quite like this, smooth as glass. I feel good in it, I look good in it and every other person on the road doesnt have one. My only regret is that I got a 2015 and didnt wait for the 2016 turbo. I can only imagine what 400 HP feels like in the S. Get the premium, this baby boomer loves his music and the Bose stereo system will blow you away.

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  Vroooom!!! - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By Schafe - February 18 - 11:44 pm

  Im 5 months in with this car and I love it. Its really fast and Ive Ive never had a car that handles the road quite like this, smooth as glass. I feel good in it, I look good in it and every other person on the road doesnt have one. My only regret is that I got a 2015 and didnt wait for the 2016 turbo. I can only imagine what 400 HP feels like in the S. Get the premium, this baby boomer loves his music and the Bose stereo system will blow you away.

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  Over Rated - 2008 Infiniti G35
  By Fergus - February 18 - 1:20 am

  Held off on commenting until I hit the 5000 mile marker. First interior is well done and attractive. However, I find the engine with the automatic is poorly done. The sport shift is comical with down shifts that dont make sense especially at lower speeds. Handling is ok, but not great, the review in edmunds is bang on - artificial. Brakes are spongy and translate road feel through the wheel which I find disconcerting. Fuel economy is brutal. I drive mostly highway and I havent broken 18 MPG even with heavy use of cruise control. There is a reason why everything is compared to the BMW... it is far superior. Finish is suspect. Already have rubber coming off my driver side door.

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  Elegant Sophisticated and Classy - 2014 Infiniti QX60
  By mckinnoncity - February 16 - 5:09 am

  Better than its competition. Shopped many. Love to drive it. Had it for two years now. Still love to drive it. Generally easy going but push it a little and off she goes. Same reliable product as Nissan. Just a great company. Not overly impressed with the Navigation but it has some nice features. Does great in the mountains. Takes a little getting used to on turns because its a little long. You just have to think about your back tires during the turn and youve got it. Otherwise no problem with handling. Although I must say, this car is not as sure footed as you would expect on the expressway. Not bad, but not a rock. We were surprised by that. Cant really explain why. Otherwise a 10.