Infiniti is the luxury marque of Japanese automaker Nissan. The brand was introduced in 1989 to compete against recently established Lexus and Acura, which are the luxury divisions of Toyota and Honda, respectively. For each of the companies, the move would enable them to go grow their market shares by appealing to an upscale demographic without jeopardizing their existing reputations for practicality, economy, and value.
Also, as the companies faced Japanese laws limiting the number of cars that could be exported, a new brand with more expensive cars represented the only means of pursuing greater profits.
The first Infiniti released was the sporty Q45 full-sized sedan. The enthusiast press responded favorably to the car's handling and 6.7-second 0-60 mph time. Some speculated that the 278 horsepower V8 actually produced more than 300 horsepower, surpassing those of its rivals, such as the BMW 7 Series,... View more Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Cadillac Fleetwood. Great attention was paid to the tactile experience of the interior, which featured high-quality leather, ergonomic controls, and muted visual details. Still, the company struggled to differentiate its brand and grow sales through the 1990s. Not until the early 2000s would the vision for Infiniti's future be made clear: Become the Japanese BMW.
Discontinued in 2006, the Q45 would be replaced by the M45. Even though the M45 was two inches shorter, interior room was increased, along with improved performance, suspension, and ergonomics. Despite rating favorably in all those categories, it was nonetheless somewhat bland from the outside. The third-generation M-series, released in 2010, received a dramatic facelift, featuring sculpted curves and bold lines. A hybrid version is available.
Below the M in the Infiniti line is the entry-level G series, which is offered in coupe, sedan, and convertible forms. When the G20 was discontinued in 2003, the G35 that replaced it was a rebadged Japanese-issue Skyline, one of Nissan's most respected high-performance cars. The G35 made Car and Driver's Ten Best list in 2003 and 2004 and was nominated for North American Car of the Year in 2003. The current model is the G37. New for 2011, the IPL G is the first offering from the Infiniti Performance Line. The compact coupe features a 348-hp engine, aggressive styling, and performance-tuned suspension.
Infiniti's first SUV was the mid-sized QX4. Released in 1994, the QX4 was somewhat ahead of the SUV curve, with its luxurious interior appointments and capable off-road performance. It was replaced in 2003 by the sporty FX35 crossover, and a full-size QX56 was added to the line in 2004. The QX stands as Infiniti's most expensive model.
Below the FX is the compact crossover EX, based on the same platform as the FX, M, and G cars. In addition to a "self-healing" clear coat called "Scratch Shield", the EX features Infiniti's "Around View Monitor", which uses multiple cameras to create a simulated overhead view to assist with precision driving tasks, such as parallel parking. The car also features the auto-correcting "Lane Departure Prevention" technology. View less
Those who would like to enjoy the style and dexterity of a sedan but want a little more space would do well to consider the Infiniti EX. This five-passenger luxury wagon- sometimes classified as a compact...
Two powerful engine options lend the Infiniti FX exceptional prowess on the road. The mid-size luxury crossover SUV, which comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift, has been...
Two powerful engine options lend the Infiniti FX exceptional prowess on the road. The mid-size luxury crossover SUV, which comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift, has been...
Two powerful engine options lend the Infiniti FX exceptional prowess on the road. The mid-size luxury crossover SUV, which comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift, has been...
The Infiniti G35 is the third-generation import of Nissan's Skyline V35 luxury-sport vehicle. It is available as a four-door sedan and two-door coupe, and both versions offer aerodynamic exterior lines and the...
As far as mid-size luxury cars go, the Infiniti G37 is an affordable, powerful vehicle with plenty of available options. It is available as a sedan, coupe, and convertible. Since 1998, it has been a...
The Infiniti M45 is a mid-size luxury sedan. It is a front-engine vehicle available in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The M45 seats five comfortably, offers ample legroom, and comes with a full-size...
The Infiniti Q45 was a full-size luxury car produced and sold by the Infiniti division of Nissan Motor Company Ltd. As a rear-wheel, V8-powered luxury car, the Q45 served as the flagship of the then-burgeoning...
