Home » Car Reviews » Infiniti
Infiniti
Infiniti FX mid-size luxury crossover SUV2008 Infiniti FX - enlargeThe Nissan-owned Infiniti division serves as the Japanese automaker's luxury brand in the Canadian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, South Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Russian, and Ukrainian markets.1 Infiniti was introduced to the American market in 1989. Its purpose back then, as it is now, was to create and sell premium vehicles in the United States that wouldn't have otherwise fit in with Nissan's more mainstream image.2 Not by coincidence, Infiniti was created around the same time as Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda's luxury brands, Lexus and Acura respectively, were introduced in the U.S.3
Most Infiniti products are constructed in Japan with the exception of the QX56, which is built in Canton, Mississippi. On its website, Infiniti buyers can customize and pick out accessories for prospective vehicles. Infiniti enthusiasts should also watch for the 2009 Infiniti FX50, which is basically an Infiniti FX redesign.
Its present lineup starts with the 2008 Infiniti G35 mid-size, entry-level luxury sport sedan (MSRP $32,565.00 - $35,065.00), which competes with the Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW 328, Lincoln MKZ, Subaru LegacyToyota Avalon, and the Volvo S60. This model is available with a 306-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine, and a five-speed shiftable automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission.
Up next are the 2008 Infiniti M35 (MSRP $44,065.00 - $45,815.00) and 2008 Infiniti M45 mid-size luxury sedans (MSRP $50,415.00 - $54,215.00). The 2008 Infiniti M35 sedan is available with a 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine, while the 2008 Infiniti M45 Sedan is available with a 325-horsepower, 4.5-liter V8 engine. Both models are equipped with a five-speed shiftable automatic transmission and a choice of either a rear-wheel drive (RWD) or an all-wheel drive (AWD) system. The Infiniti M35 competes with the Audi A6, BMW 528, Cadillac STS, Lexus GS 350, and the Lincoln Town Car, while the Infiniti M45 competes with the Audi A6, BMW 528, Cadillac STS, Lexus GS 350, BMW 535, Cadillac STS, Lexus GS 460, Lincoln Town Car, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Next is the automaker's sport coupe, the 2008 Infiniti G37 sport coupe (MSRP $35,215.00 - $36,515.00). It is available in Base coupe, Journey and Sport 6MT trim levels and competes with the Audi A5, BMW 135, BMW 328, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and the Toyota Camry Solara. Available on this model is a 330-horsepower, 3.7-liter Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) V6 engine, a five-speed shiftable automatic transmission for the Base coupe and Journey trim levels and a six-speed manual transmission for the Sport 6MT trim level. This vehicle has a standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) system.
Then we have the Infiniti sport utility vehicles (SUVs), starting with the 2008 Infiniti EX35 compact luxury crossover SUV (MSRP $32,015.00 - $36,965.00 / Invoice $29,507.00 - $34,045.00). The EX35 sports a 297-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine, and a five-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This vehicle can be had with either a rear-wheel drive (RWD) or an all-wheel drive (AWD) system. It competes with the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Cadillac SRX, HUMMER H3 SUV, Land Rover LR2, Lincoln MKX, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes-Benz R-Class, and the Volvo XC90.
Up next are the 2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 mid-size luxury crossover sport utility vehicles (MSRP $38,865.00 - $50,915.00 / Invoice $35,795.00 - $46,841.00). The Infiniti FX35 competes with the Acura MDX, Cadillac SRX, HUMMER H3 SUV, Lexus RX 350, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes-Benz R-Class, Saab 9-7X, and the Volkswagen Touareg 2, while the Infiniti FX45 competes with the Audi Q7, Land Rover LR3, Lincoln Navigator, Volkswagen Touareg 2, and the Volvo XC90. The FX35 comes with a 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine, while the FX45 features a 320-horsepower, 4.5-liter V8 engine. Both models are equipped with a five-speed shiftable automatic transmission and buyers can choose between a rear-wheel drive (RWD) or an all-wheel drive (AWD) system.
Rounding out the list and last on Infiniti's vehicle lineup is the 2008 Infiniti QX56 full-size sport utility vehicle (MSRP $53,265.00 - $56,365.00). This model is available with a 320-horsepower, 5.65-liter V8 engine, and a five-speed automatic transmission. It also can be had with either a rear-wheel drive (RWD) or an all-wheel drive (AWD) system and model competes with the BMW X5, Cadillac Escalade, HUMMER H2 SUV, Land Rover LR3, Lincoln Navigator L, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, and the Mercedes-Benz R-Class.
A look at Infiniti's reliability ratings showed that the Infiniti M35 (AWD) received the following ratings for the year 2007: Excellent Ratings for engine, transmission, drive, fuel, electrical and climate system, suspension, brakes, exhaust, paint and trim, and body hardware; and Very Good Ratings for squeaks and rattles, power equipment, and audio system. Meanwhile, the Infiniti QX56 received the following ratings for the year 2006: Excellent ratings for engine, transmission, fuel and electrical system, and exhaust; Very Good Ratings for drive system, paint and trim, and body hardware; Good Ratings for suspension, brakes, power equipment, and audio system; and Poor Ratings for climate system and squeaks and rattles.
Infinitis are also equipped with security features and have been tested and proven safe. Data from from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reflect that the 2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 4-Door with Side Airbags received five stars out of five in frontal and side crash tests and four stars out of five in rollover tests. Meanwhile, the 2008 Infiniti G35 4-Door with Side Airbags received five stars out of five (driver) and four stars out of five (passenger) in frontal crash tests; five stars out of five in side crash tests; and five stars out of five in rollover tests.
A 2008 Infiniti G35 sedan's base trim level MSRP of $32,565 is priced closely to that of the 2008 Acura TL (MSRP $33,725) and above the 2008 Toyota Avalon (MSRP $27,075). Depreciation-wise, however, the Infiniti G35 appears to be less competitive than its other luxury competitors. Case in point, a 2006 Infiniti G35 (MSRP $31,200) currently has a used selling price falling within the $23,800-range while a 2006 Acura TL (MSRP $33,325) has a resell price falling within the $27,900-range. Similarly, competing model 2006 Acura TL (MSRP $33,325) currently has a used selling price falling within the $20,950-range.
Click here for more information on 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Infiniti car prices, auto insurance, auto loans, car dealers, and car leases.
