Since 1989, Infiniti has had some remarkable cars, like the Q sedan flagship. But when it comes to buying a new or pre-owned car, which is the best Infiniti model?
In the Eighties, Infiniti‘s parent company, Nissan, had a desire to compete with upmarket European brands like Mercedes and BMW. Because Nissan could not go head to head with these brands due to the automaker’s mainstream image, Infiniti was born in 1989 with great expectations — and the introduction of the Q45. The Infiniti logo is a stylized representation of Mt. Fuji, honoring the Japanese origins of the marquee.
“The metallic oval of the Infiniti symbol features two dynamic lines converging in the center, symbolizing elegance, the ‘infinite road,’ and the vanishing point of a straight road over the horizon,” says Infinity.
New editions of the Infiniti QX50 and QX80 continue to prove that Infiniti’s reputation as a top-quality luxury automaker is sound. At times, Infiniti has simply rebadged Nissan offerings like the QX4 (Pathfinder), or QX56 (Armada), and given them more luxurious appointments.
Many Infiniti’s share platforms and engines with their Nissan brethren, but offer their own unique styling.
In 2020, Infinity ranked fourth among luxury brands in J.D. Power’s annual U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index Study.
Infiniti G Series
Infiniti’s entry-level car has transformed from a small compact in 1990, to a powerful sports sedan competitor before being discontinued in 2015 and replaced by the Q50. The G that you’re most likely to see out on the roadways is the G35/37, produced from 2002-2015 and available as a sedan, coupe, and convertible. It was based on Nissan’s “FM” or front-midship platform, which it shared with the Nissan Z sports car, Infiniti FX SUV, and others.
Later versions received a larger, 3.7-liter V6 with more power, and the name was changed to G37 to reflect this. A G25, with a smaller 2.5-liter V6, was also available but produced much less power. All-wheel drive was an option in later years.
Infiniti M Series
Infiniti’s first car to launch in the U.S. along with the Q45, the M30 Coupe had a short initial production run of just 2 years before the name was retired. The second-generation M arrived in 2002 and was available with either a 3.5-liter V6 or 4.5-liter V8 that it shared with the Q45 flagship. The third-generation, produced from 2005 through 2010, was again available with a V6 or V8 engine.
The fourth and final generation arrived in 2010 and was produced until 2019, taking over flagship duties from the retired Q45. Available in M37 or M56 guise, it had either a V6 and V8 and an all-wheel-drive option. The car was rebadged as the Q70 before being discontinued in 2019.
Infiniti Q Series
The Infiniti Q Series flagship was used as the car to introduce the brand to the world. However, the original Q45 never saw the sales success of its main rivals: the Lexus LS and Acura Legend.
Successive generations also lagged behind rivals in sales numbers, and the Q45 was discontinued in 2006. The last model featured a five-speed automatic transmission, a 340 horsepower V8 engine, and novel-looking HID headlights. The Q was replaced by the M Series as Infiniti’s flagship offering.
Infiniti QX and FX Series
Infiniti SUVs have become the more popular choice in recent times. However, the brand only had one initial offering in the QX4, a rebadged Nissan Pathfinder. It was sold until 2003 and replaced by the FX35/45 crossover.
The FX was a sporty SUV made from 2003 through 2017. Available with either a V6 or V8 and all-wheel drive, the FX was based on the FM platform. This chassis gave the FX its nimble handling ability. The car was rebadged as the QX70 in 2014, though it was identical to the FX.
Infiniti’s current lineup consists mostly of SUVs, notably the QX50 (compact), QX60 (midsize), and QX80 (flagship). The Q50 Sedan and Q60 Coupe round out the lineup.
Choosing the Right Infiniti
The most popular Infiniti has been the G/Q midsize sedan. It’s been rated highly in comparison to its European peers. Car and Driver ranked the 2008 G35 sedan second behind only the BMW 328i, stating: “The G35 features rocket-sled acceleration, lots of features for the price, thinks it is a Nissan 350Z.” The more recent Q sedan trades some of that enthusiasm behind the wheel for refinement.
Infiniti’s SUVs have not rated as well, with the FX35 being the best received. It shares a chassis with the G sedan and Nissan’s famed Z sports car, along with engines, so it drives like a sports sedan. However, its cramped confines mean the Utility part of the SUV name is lacking.
Produced by Nissan and sharing many corporate parts, most Infinitis are powered by versions of Nissan’s venerable VQ series V6 engine. It’s a reliable, stout motor that has few faults. With so many around, parts are also easy to come by. The VQ is often listed as being among Ward’s 10-best engines almost since its inception in the ’90s. It’s become one of the premiere V6s in the automotive industry.
Photos: Infiniti
