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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  Beware: need front brakes every 20K - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By bosko - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Best car I have ever owned

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  BMW beater? - 2003 Infiniti G35
  By randrews - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I generally like the car, though two things bother me. First is the gas mileage, which has been 4-5 MPG lower than the 330i I traded for it. I have owned much more powerful V8s that got better mileage. Second, the tires look too skinny for my taste. Overall, though, I am glad I traded the BMW for it, I think.

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  happy qx56 owner - 2007 Infiniti QX56
  By scott - July 25 - 2:56 am

  This is a great vehicle. we drove the new denali and it rode great but the interior features of this vehicle blow the denali away. we have been extremely pleased so far!

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  Years of Reliability and Fun - 1998 Infiniti I30
  By ZHorton - July 24 - 3:26 pm

  I bought a 98 Infiniti i30 with 80,000 miles on it from a repo lot, after doing zero research and test driving only one other vehicle. Luckily, I didnt regret this spur-of-the-moment decision, because the i30 was bulletproof for my harsh driving tendencies for 7+ years. I drove this car throughout my early 20s, oftentimes far too fast, and did nothing except change the oil and tires. Added bonus was that this car takes all Nissan parts, so the repairs I had (radiator, starter) were cheap and easy fixes. I drove this car into the ground and it was worth every penny.

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  Infiniti in Kansas City - 2002 Infiniti I35
  By Karen827 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the second Infiniti I bought because I love the way it drives, the sharp appearance and it is very reliable. Every time I have to take it in for routine service the dealership knows me and treats me like a person, not a number. I love the way they wash your car when you take it in and if your car needs to remain at the dealer for a considerable time, they give you a rental car to drive. I would definately recommend this car to my friends and family.

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  Excellent value - 2009 Infiniti G37
  By DL - July 14 - 10:20 am

  I initially wanted a CTS. The G37x for me was the best value, has excellent expected reliability (3rd year in production also tends to work out some early-production bugs), and leaves the other cars in the dust when it comes to acceleration. My numerical ratings may have been overly harsh, but when you look at its competitors (not considering price), the G37x is a bit rough around the edges.

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  Gas Guzzler - 2008 Infiniti G37
  By AQR - July 9 - 11:33 pm

  Previous to my 2008 g37 I had a 2006 scion tc with a lots of mods. I needed something more luxurious so I test drove pretty much every thing including the bmw 335i, lexus is 350 and the winner the g37. I loved the performance and interior of the vehicle the only thing that I regret is that now I have like 500 miles and this car and the mpg stinks. To fill it up from 1/2 tank was 46.00, ouch. But I would never change it!

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  A Great GT - 2004 Infiniti G35
  By BRAKEL8 - July 2 - 10:00 am

  It has excellent balance throughout. Great steering feel, lateral grip is excellent, and the Brembo brakes work extremely well (although Id love an ABS override switch). The engine has wonderful low-end torque, but it gets a bit too buzzy above 4500 rpm. Because it performs so well, its easy to compare it to sports cars. And while it holds its own with many of the best, it should most fairly be viewed as the excellent GT car it was designed to be. It absolutely shines on the open road -- fast, comfortable, quiet and very good gas mileage. An absolutely wonderful package.

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  One year owning the Infiniti G35 Cpe - 2005 Infiniti G35
  By ana - July 1 - 6:00 pm

  I love everything about my car but one thing. I gave it a score of "4" on Build Quality only because the car is too low. This is not my first sports car so I know they come low to the ground but on the Coupe you can actually go over a simple can or small rock in the road and it will scrape the undercarriage and make it sound likes its tearing it up. You also have to be extremely careful of potholes too..and I mean small ones.

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  Its all about the Fun - 2006 Infiniti G35
  By KentuckyDriver - June 27 - 4:36 pm

  I bought my G35 coupe in July. It has the 19" wheels, sports package, bluetooth, Bose, black leather with aluminum trim interior, and silver exterior. The day I drove into work it got noticed among all the BMWs, Lexus and Mercedes. G35s are unique and sleek looking cars, clearly standouts. After six months of driving in summer, fall and winter weather my rating is AWESOME! Smooth and quick acceleration, throaty exhaust, tight handling. I look for opportunities to drive this on curvy backroads and passing cars just for the thrill. Who the heck buys a sports car for gas mileage? Windows down, sun-roof back and Bose blaring is the life. One annoyance-seat belt keeps coming out of guid