Nissan brought out the first Infiniti in 1989, the same year Japanese rival Toyota introduced Lexus and three years after Honda's Acura debuted. But, despite sales that steadily grew since its launch, Infiniti was the Rodney Dangerfield of Japanese upscale brands in the respect arena. In fact, Infiniti and parent Nissan were on life support a few years ago. Fast-forward to today, however, and things have changed. Nissan's partnership with Renault and Infiniti's re-dedication to being "the Japanese BMW" - producing powerful, sporty luxury cars - has both Nissan and Infiniti back on solid footing.
Infiniti, whose logo represents a stylized highway heading infinitely toward a horizon, began with the Q45 sedan and the under-powered, only-there-for-three-years M30 coupe. They were joined a year later by the entry-level G20. Infiniti tied for first in J. D. Power & Associates' 1991 "Customer Satisfaction Index."
Initial sales suffered because the brand's "rocks and trees" ads didn't show any cars. The Q45 changed those sales trends. It had a then class-leading 278-hp V-8, the industry's first-ever active suspension and numerous luxury features. With more models added to the lineup and additional J. D. Power quality awards, sales topped the half-million mark after 10 years. The QX4, which came out in 1997, helped Infiniti reach that number. It was the first mid-size luxury SUV made by a brand that didn't specialize in that type of vehicle.
Infiniti was hurt by Nissan's late 1990s' troubles and a sub-par Q45. A redesigned Q (2002) and an all-new G35 sedan and coupe - both named 2003 Motor Trend "Car of the Year" - turned things around. Throw in the FX35 and FX45 crossovers (2003) and the full-size QX56 (2004) sport ute, the first Infiniti made in the U.S., and the brand was back. The redesigned 2006 M35 and M45 "sealed the deal," so to speak, winning a Car and Driver comparison test, earning Consumer Reports' nod as best 2006 luxury sedan, and continuing Infiniti's goal of differentiating itself from Nissan.
With the Q on hiatus (an all-new Q50 is expected next year), the M45 is currently Infiniti's flagship model. With a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $50,250, it's powered by a 325-hp V-8 and has an all-wheel-drive (AWD) version. The M35 ($43,900 starting MSRP) also has an AWD model. Infiniti's other cars are the G35 sedan ($32,250 starting, 306-hp V-6, four models, one with AWD) and the G37 coupe ($34,900 starting, 330-hp V-6, three models). The G37 Sport 6MT trim level features a sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch wheels. As a luxury brand, Infiniti puts all sorts of comfort and convenience features in its vehicles, with more amenities as models get more expensive.
The current SUVs start with the all-new EX35 crossovers ($35,450). With car-like styling, they're powered by a 297-hp V-6 and include an AWD "flavor." The FX35 ($40,950) and FX50 ($56,700), both completely redesigned for 2008, also have AWD versions in their stable. The FX50's new 390-hp V-8 is expected to power the 2009 Q and the top M when that model is redesigned for 2010. The full-size two- and four-wheel-drive QX56 ($52,450 and $55,550, respectively) completes Infiniti's current lineup.
Sold only in North America originally, Infiniti is now available in many countries. That development is one more indication that Infiniti has bounced back.
