Infiniti Reviews

Determined to become a major player in its class in Australia, Infiniti has introduced a midsize model called Infiniti Q50.

Infiniti says the Q50 is the real start to Infiniti's success in Australia. It's the first all-new design to reach our shores and it shows.

In the world of slow-starters, Infiniti has been the standard bearer.

Infiniti? They're made by Nissan aren't they? It's the first thing people ask when see the car. The answer is yes, they are the Nissan equivalent of Toyota's Lexus luxury brand. They've been doing business for many years now, but have only just started selling cars here in Australia (after years talking about it).VALUEPriced from $85,900, $97,900 for the better equipped S Premium, the M is one of Infiniti's core models. It's a large rear-wheel drive luxury sedan that comes in petrol, diesel and hybrid petrol-electric versions.Standard kit includes leather and climate air, auto lights and wipers, active cruise control, power adjust steering, bi-xenon lights that turn, Bluetooth with audio streaming, satellite navigation and a 6-speaker premium sound system.The S Premium package adds 4-wheel Active Steer (4WAS), sport-tuned suspension, sport brakes and larger, 20-inch alloy wheels, not to mention a hi-end Bose audio system.TECHNOLOGYThe 3.7 litre produces 235kW of power and 360Nm of torque. The engine is hooked up to a seven-speed auto that adapts to the driver's style of driving, as well as including a manual mode with shift paddles. Drive is to the rear wheels and it does the dash from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds with a top speed of 250km/h.Fuel consumption is rated at 10.2 litres/100km and it takes Premium unleaded (we were getting 11.2). DESIGN Infiniti bills itself as luxury brand but with an emphasis on performance, that is as a driver's car. The car goes well enough but lacks the opulent feel of other luxury brands, even though the expected leather and wood are present. Some may see this as a plus, others may not... By the way the paint is self-healing in case it is scratched.SAFETYGets a full five stars for safety. It's equipped with a number of advanced safety features including Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) and the Premium adds Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Blind Spot Intervention (BSI).Other available safety features include Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Front Pre-Crash Seat Belts.DRIVINGWe drove the hybrid recently and while it was good, the V6 does an admirable job by itself without the support of an electric motor. Mind you, it's the larger 3.7-litre six, not the 3.5. With sport mode selected the drive experience is fairly aggressive.The rear becomes a bit skittish in damp conditions, but the electronics are there to catch it if things get out of hand. Four-mode drive control adjusts throttle and transmission mapping, as well as 4-Wheel Active Steer settings, Dynamic Cornering Enhancement and Eco Pedal (where available).Infiniti makes a big deal about the active noise cancellation system (like they use in headphones), but it doesn't sound any quieter inside to us. The seats are heated and cooled and the `intelligent' key remembers last used audio, navigation and climate settings, as well as linking to seat, steering wheel and side view mirror positions through the dual occupant memory system.VERDICTIt grows on you. The look is understated and we loved the grey, almost white paint job. Feels nothing like a Lexus, but it's nowhere near as quiet inside as a Lexus either.Infiniti M37 S PremiumPrice: from $97,900Engine: 3.7-litre 6-cylinder, 235 kW/ 360 NmTransmission: seven-speed sports automatic transmission, RWDThirst: 10.2 L/100km, 235 g/km CO2

Here's the thing…Why would you buy one of these cars when you could have a Nissan 370Z for less? They're essentially the same car under the skin with the same 3.7-litre V6 providing the oomph, but the Zed gets a bit more power.There's no denying the desirability of the iconic Zed, now in its second generation but the Infiniti is still something of an unknown quantity (at least with this badge).VALUEPriced from $75,900 (or $83,500 for the better equipped G37 S Premium model that we drove), the coupe is a nice bit of gear. The interior is finished in full leather and it is better equipped than the Zed, but not by much.One major point of difference between the two cars is that G37 actually has a back seat, albeit a small one. There's not much legroom nor much headroom back there, but it will do at a pinch.Standard features include leather, climate air, push button start, swivel bi-xenons, 30Gb navi system, 7-inch touch screen and 11-speaker Bose sound system with 10Gb hard drive. The S adds sport seats, sports suspension, 4-wheel active steer, viscous limited-slip diff and opposed-piston sports brakes, along with larger 19-inch alloys.It all sounds pretty good but bear in mind that you can pick up an imported, late model Skyline coupe with just about delivery kilometres for half the cost.TECHNOLOGYIt has two doors and a boot whereas the two-seat Zed has two doors and a hatch. The G37 actually sits on a 30cm longer wheelbase, but it's track is slightly narrower front and rear. The 3.7 litre petrol V6 produces 235kW of power at 7000 revs and 360Nm of torque at 5200 revs, compared with the Zed's 245kW/363Nm and is paired with a seven-speed auto, with drive to rear wheels.There's sport mode and downshift rev matching, along with steering column mounted change paddles. The dash from 0-100km/h takes 5.9 seconds, compared with the Zed's unofficial 5.4 seconds (it's over 200kg lighter). Fuel consumption for the coupe is rated at 10.5 litres/100km (we were getting 13.6 litres/100km after about 400km).DESIGNThe G37's look is fairly staid compared with the bright colours and lightning bolt design of the Zed's lights. As a technology and performance wannabe, Infiniti would do well to consider more aggressive styling, something spectacularly different that would really get people to sit up and take notice. Just a thought.SAFETYNo problems here. Gets a full five stars for safety in crash tests. There's six airbags along with active front headrests, plus a full gamut of safety systems including electronic stability and traction control.DRIVINGIf you like the Zed, then naturally you're going to like the G37. The V6 is a fantastic engine and delivers the urgent response that's expected from a sports car, making all the right noises in the process.The steering is direct and incredibly responsive, guaranteeing the car will go where you point it.  At the same time the tyres tracked mercilessly on Sydney's streets following every irregularity. The big problem is it looks too much like one of the grey import Skylines that the teenagers all drive. Don't know about you but if I paid big money for a car, I'd want people to know that I was driving the real deal.VERDICTSorry. Like the car but we like the look of the Zed better.Infiniti G37 SPrice: from $83,500Warranty: 4 years roadside assistEngine: 3.7-litre 6-cylinder, 235kW/360NmTransmission: 7-speed auto, RWDThirst: 10.5L/100Km, CO2 246g/km

Although this car is a hybrid it should not be confused with fuel misers like the Toyota Prius. In this case the term hybrid translates into performance and plenty of it, with 268kW of power on tap. Think of the electric motor as a new age turbocharger.VALUEInfiniti is the luxury arm of Nissan -- just as Lexus is to Toyota -- and says it aims to offer something that set it apart from other prestige brands. At $99,900 our M35h GT Premium sedan is the most expensive of the sedans. But, with the S Premium diesel model priced the same, it makes for an interesting choice.The hybrid comes with a swag of luxury appointments like leather, wood grain dash, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, satellite navigation and a hi-end Bose sound system. The standard wheels are smallish 18s with 245/50 Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres and an alloy space saver spare is supplied. The 16-speaker Bose system features active noise cancellation just like some headphones.TECHNOLOGYThe drivetrain consists of a 3.5-litre petrol V6 that puts out 225kW of power and an electric motor with another 50kW, for a combined total of 268kW (and fuel consumption of 6.9 litres/100km). Maximum torque from the petrol engine is 350Nm, with another 270Nm from the electric motor but a combined torque figure is not provided. It's the same acclaimed 3.5-litre V6 that has seen service in Nissan's 350Z sports car but that has now ben upsized to 3.7 litres. The engine is hooked up to a 7-speed auto that allows the driver to change gears manually, although steering wheel change paddles are absent.DESIGNThe goal is luxury with a sporting bent. If you're in the market for a Benz or a Bimmer, you might want to give this one a look, particularly if you're after something a little different. With drive to the rear wheels the hybrid does the dash from 0-100km/h time of 5.5 secs and is billed as the fastest-accelerating production hybrid in the world.SAFETYIt's designed to get five stars and does so from the American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which some might say is a tougher standard than we've got  but as yet it does not have a rating from the Australian NCAP organisation.Suffice to say the car comes with blind spot warning, lane departure prevention, and forward collision warning automatically brakes if a collision is imminent.DRIVINGMove off slowly and the car creeps along in near silent, full electric mode. Apply some pressure to the accelerator and the petrol engine springs to life. Punch the accelerator and it takes off with a satisfying growl from the twin exhausts. This car is a chameleon, a car with two very different personalities. A knob allows the driver to dial in four drive modes: Standard, Eco, Sport or Snow. With each setting the system adjusts throttle sensitivity and transmission mapping to help optimise performance. It's quiet inside but perhaps not as quiet as a Lexus, and this changed quickly over coarse bitumen that generates quite a bit of tyre noise. We clocked up more than 600km behind the wheel at a rate of 8.8 litres/100km.The steering is light and the car is prone to wander unless the driver's attention remains focused. The active cruise control system can be annoying and the speedometer reading seems conservative. Because of the hybrid battery pack's location behind the back seat the boot is cut short but deep, smaller than you'd expect in a car this size.VERDICTIt's comfortable enough and it's certainly got plenty of get up and go, but does not generate the kind of excitement that is going to make you run out and buy one.Infiniti M35h GT PremiumPrice: from $99,900Warranty: 4 years roadside assist, 100,000kmEngine: 3.5L six-cylinder, 225kW/350NmTransmission: 7-speed auto, RWDThirst: 6.9L/100Km, CO2 159g/km

The Infiniti M is a large luxury Japanese sedan with a fair dash of sporting prowess. Though aimed at the American market it’s starting to make waves in the sales races in other countries, including Australia.High-tech features abound in the new Infiniti. Some of these electronic aids are used in other premium European and Japanese cars, but are taken to new levels in the Infiniti. There are a huge number of features within the sub models of the Infiniti M range – GT, GT Premium and S Premium. TECHNOLOGYInfiniti M is offered in three models, the Infiniti M37 is powered by a 3.7-litre 235 kW V6 petrol engine; Infiniti M30d uses a 175 kilowatt 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel; and the Infiniti M35h petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain has a 3.5-litre 225 kW petrol V6 and a parallel electric motor that can produce up to 50 kilowatts of power.As is always the way with hybrids, the maximum output isn’t the sum of the two powerplants. In the Infiniti M35h the peak is 268 kW as the petrol and electric motors aren’t both delivering their best output simultaneously.In the way of all electric motors the Infiniti’s produces big torque at low revs, whereas the petrol engine concentrates on mid and upper levels.Every Infiniti M model uses a seven-speed automatic transmission and is driven by its rear wheels. The engine is set well back under the bonnet to achieve good front to rear mass balance.DESIGNStyling leans in the direction of sports sedan, with a low-slung body, high wheel arches and a distinctive radiator grille. We feel the M’s shape is a bit untidy in places, but there’s no doubt that Infinitis stand out from the automotive crowd and that’s vitally important if you’re aiming to attract attention to a new marque, or rather to a revived marque – Infiniti sold a few cars in Australia in the mid 1990s before disappearing off the radar until mid 2012.Sound reduction in the cabin not only has the usual strengthening and noise damping items, but also uses active noise cancelling of the type seen in headphones used by travellers. Working in conjunction with Bose, a longtime expert in the field, Infiniti engineers have managed to further reduce interior noise.A disadvantage of having the engines set well back is that the gearbox intrudes into the cabin, resulting in relatively limited foot width for those in the front seats.SAFETYInfiniti drivers who don’t adjust the car’s outside mirrors correctly are looked after by a blind-spot warning system. Infiniti also tries to look after drivers who aren’t paying attention. If they wander from their lane the Infiniti M will apply the brakes on one side of the car to help steer it out of danger.Other Infiniti safety features include Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Pre-Crash Safety Belts (front seats only). Should you still crash the Infiniti M has dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted side impact airbags on the front seats, and roof-mounted curtain airbags.Radar cruise control is very simple to engage and seems to read the driver’s mind the moment it’s switched on.DRIVINGThe big Infiniti sports hybrid has immense amounts of torque for climbing hills with ease and overtaking with maximum safety. The engine placement results in excellent handling balance that we really appreciated in the challenging roads on which we reviewed several Infiniti M models.Ride comfort is generally good, though some harsh Aussie roads did let bumps come through at times. To driving enthusiasts this occasional lack of comfort is probably acceptable; passengers may not agree, so it’s wise to take them on your initial personal road tests.Steering is precise and nicely weighted and gives the driver the feel that the car is very much working with them.VERDICTWe have driven several models in the Infiniti M range, including all three power trains, and have come away impressed by their sporting nature.Infiniti MPrice: from $85,900Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel; 3.7-litre V6 petrol; hybrid 3.5- litre V8 petrol plus electric motorOutputs: 175kW and 550N (M30d); 235kW and 360Nm (M37); 268kW combined (M35h)Transmission: seven-speed auto, rear-wheel drive

As a motoring journalist I typically drive between 250 and 300 cars every year. Yet there are some out there who drive 10 times as many vehicles as I do, perhaps 20 times. The guys and gals who valet park your car in upmarket hotels are finely tuned to the vehicles they drive and take an interest in anything that’s new to them.So when I rolled up to the Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast the other day in a new Infiniti FX the eyes of the guys lit up. To be honest (sorry to all the marketing people at Infiniti) they had no idea what the big SUV was. The badge – showing a road disappearing into infinity – was totally unknown to them. Indeed, though they immediately recognised it as being a prestige vehicle they made a couple of incorrect guesses before I explained that Infiniti is to Nissan what Lexus is to Toyota.They loved the looks of the Infiniti FX inside and out, describing it as one of the most stunning vehicles they had seen for a long time. We have to agree with them; unlike other sporting SUVs that are simply standard vehicles with revisions to the body to give it a tougher look, the Infiniti was designed from the start to be a 4WD that was anything but shy.VALUEInfiniti’s big new FX is a genuinely sporting SUV that’s been designed like that from the ground up. With a starting price of around $100,000 it provides very good value in this semi rarefied market segment and we can see it building up strong sales as soon as buyers start to sample its dynamic abilities.TECHNOLOGY - FXsWe tested two Infiniti FXs during a two-week period, one powered by a glorious 5.0-litre petrol V8 that gives it the sort of thrust that’s sure to bring a smile to the face of any keen driver. It not only provides plenty of acceleration but does so with just the right sort of V8 sounds and slightly uneven beat that only a bent-eight can manage.It’s a bit of a gas guzzler in a manner that typical of the breed, though it has to be said that a high-performance SUV using 12 to 15 litres per hundred kilometres in general driving really isn’t all that bad. Interestingly, this is the engine upon which next year’s Nissan V8 Supercar is (loosely) based. Exciting.DESIGN - FXsJust look at the long swooping bonnet with the sort of lowered centre section usually only seen in low slung sports cars; at the sloped rear end styling and the huge wheels and you will soon agree that the shy are retiring had perhaps better look elsewhere.There are disadvantages in any sporting vehicle and the big Infiniti suffers in the cargo area because the long slope of the tail restricts the height of long, tall items. Still that’s not unusual in the latest generation of SUVs. The boot area is long and easy to access through a large tailgate that was power operated in the models we road tested.The interior is as eye catching as the exterior, with the FX having a twin-cockpit area for the two in the front, with a real emphasis on the driving position. During a hot, sticky start to spring up here on the Gold Coast we found the air conditioned front seats to be a real bonus. Seat comfort in front is good with bolsters that give a strong cue to the fact this vehicle is aimed at the sporting driver.Back seat travellers have head and legroom that’s good without exactly being generous, a function of the FX being as more of a tall coupe than a traditional 4WD.TECHNOLOGY - FXThe second week saw us behind the wheel of a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel Infiniti FX. Like all modern diesels the Infiniti unit provides plenty of grunt in the lower to middle ranges, yet is more of a fuel sipper than guzzler. We had no trouble in getting in under eight litres per hundred kilometres on the motorway and even around town sub-10 litre number were the norm.DESIGN - FXBig 21-inch wheels and wide tyres are always going to provide plenty of grip and the suspension is nicely sorted out. Nimble the FX is not, but it does hang on determinedly and is nicely balanced with cornering. There’s some road roar on coarse-chip surfaces but we have hear worse. The complete Infiniti FX range is:FX37 GT 3.7-litre petrol five-door wagon: $83,900FX37 S 3.7-litre petrol five-door wagon: $92,900FX37 S Premium 3.7-litre petrol five-door wagon: $95,900FX30d GT 3.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $85,900FX30d S 3.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $94,900FX30d S Premium 3.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $97,900FX50 S Premium 5.0-litre petrol five-door wagon: $114,900Infiniti FXPrice: from $83,900Engine: 3.7-litre petrol 6.0-cyl, 235kW/360NmTransmission: 7-speed autoThirst: 12.1L/100km, CO2 282g/km

Nissan is pulling a Toyota (Lexus) with its parallel premium brand called Infiniti. It took Lexus years to make inroads into the local market and even now, pales against the Germans.But obviously Nissan thinks Infiniti can cut it with the big boys as the brand lobs this month with a couple of dealers and a couple of cars; the FX, a mid-size luxury SUV priced from $83,900 and the M medium large luxury sedan from $85,900.Infiniti's full dealer network is yet to be established - at least one in each capital city and possibly a few in major regional centres. Infiniti execs are pretty confident of success with their American-centric cars. The two on offer first up have plenty of appeal and are really different from anything else on offer.The FX is up against Audi Q7, BMW X5/X6, Mercedes ML and Lexus RX. It comes fully equipped as standard unlike German competitors which have extensive and expensive options. The M sedan competes with the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Lexus GS offering generous luxury equipment levels, way beyond what the competition offers as standard.But metallic paint is $1500 extra...Both vehicles have a four year/100,000km warranty and a generous roadside assistance program with provisions for accommodation, accident coordination, alternate vehicle supply.FX has been around for quite a while and consequently, has older technology. It is powered by a choice of V6 petrol or diesel engines and a 287kW petrol V8 of 5.0-litres rated at 13.1L/100km. The M is all V6-powered with a choice of petrol, diesel or hybrid power trains.The hybrid is the performance model with a total output of 268kW. It's more economical than the diesel and will also operate in full electric mode up to 100km/h if there is enough battery charge. All models have seven-speed automatic transmissions with downshift rev matching and paddle shifters.Drive in the FX is on demand all wheel drive depending on available traction. It defaults to rear wheel drive with the front axle engaged as needed. The M is a conventional rear-wheel drive only. Digital technology abounds in both vehicles especially in the M. Both have Bose audio and the M gets a noise cancelling system to assist quiet running.Incoming cabin air goes through air-conditioning with humidity control, aromatherapy and a grapeseed polyphenol filter to decrease allergies. Four wheel steering is featured on the top of the line M and the FX has an auto tailgate.They are Japanese-made vehicles specifically designed for Americans which explains the overt styling with plenty of chrome and a macho look to the frontal area. Aussies should like them. The FX looks lower and wider than a BMW X5 for a dynamic, road-holding appearance. The M is a touch of S-Type Jag in feel and appearance. Rear seat room in both vehicles is generous and there's plenty of boot space in both models except in the M hybrid which suffers battery intrusion in the boot.Five stars from Euro NCAP for the FX but the M has yet to be tested.There is more of a sense of being in a Lexus than a German car from inside both vehicles - high quality build, tasteful amounts of bling, a quiet environment and a feeling of super-refined engines. They are performance oriented vehicles, underlined during our test drive. All engines offer strong performance across a wide rev range matched by sporty handling in both models. High levels of grip doesn't mean a harsh ride, as it’s "plush" over broken patches of road. The Bose noise-cancelling system works a treat, aided by double-glazed windows.The M sedan will appeal to those looking for something different. And the FX is a big, luxury SUV that will appeal to those looking for something different.

The vehicle in question is more than just a new car. The M sedan launches a brand: Infiniti. It's the premium arm of Japanese maker Nissan, in much the same way Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota. It arrives here as part of a global strategy to expand beyond the US.It defines itself as a challenger brand for those who don't follow the luxury crowd. Carlos Ghosn, the charismatic leader of the Renault-Nissan group, says: “Infiniti is not about being all things to all people, but everything to some people.”With a 500,000 sales target dangling like a noose over his appointment, de Nysschen focuses on the fundamentals. “I don't live or die by the number.” He says it's more important to focus on the product, organisation, retail network and pleasing the customer and if you get all those things right...the sales absolutely will follow.VALUEThe large SUV Infiniti FX is priced from $83,900, while the large sedan Infiniti M is slightly more expensive priced from $85,900. The M goes up against the BMW 5 Series/Mercedes E-Class/Audi A6 and brings four-wheel steering, active noise cancelling and, happily, a hay fever-free cabin to the brand's tech showcase.If Infiniti is to claim a significant share, it will need to move quickly to its next generation of products and fill out its range. As a value proposition and break from the norm, it will attract a few. Like Audi, Infiniti must offer better value to lure people away from the established luxury leaders. “We will price directly against the competition but in terms of overall equipment, the content of our package will be a bit richer,” he says.“We will use that additional value to offset for the customer what is still to be done in building the brand awareness, presence and recognition.” But he believes that Infiniti can avoid falling into a “value trap” of always undercutting your rivals -- something that in China, especially, undermines brand status. Two more models are due this year. The G37 coupe and hard-top convertible are now halfway through a model cycle that starts afresh next year with the arrival of a sedan pitched at junior executives.DESIGN AND GADGETSThe Infiniti execs charged with taking the company global have jetted into the Gold Coast hinterland to explain how a brand that finished seventh in the US luxury charts last year will climb into the top tier alongside the Germans. When a car presentation turns to unusual cabin gadgets, alarm bells ring. If the somersaulting cup-holder is cutting edge, then the engineering priorities were surely wrong.If a fingerprint reader is essential, the car must be sorely deficient somewhere else. I'm being distracted by tinsel and it's the oldest trick in the book. But I'm listening intently to an explanation of a plasma cluster and can't get enough of the grape polyphenol filter. I can just about follow it through my constant sniffs. They sound -- the gadgets, not my sniffs -- like gimmicks but a chance they'll work means I'm interested.TECHNOLOGYIn Australia, Infiniti's 48th market, it begins with two products, the M large sedan mentioned above and the FX large SUV (see panel). A hybrid driveline is available in the top-spec M or two V6s, petrol and diesel. Its V6s are shared with the M and the diesel, sampled at the event, hauled four plus luggage with ease and refinement.Meanwhile the brand's commitment to alternative drivelines was flagged by a striking sportscar concept called Emerg-e at Geneva earlier this year. It's powered by batteries recharged on the run by an internal combustion engine. It will be reinforced by an all-electric midsize sedan study to be shown in Paris later this month. Both are candidates for production and both leverage the resources of the Renault-Nissan group, which has spent billions trying to get pole position on electric vehicles.DRIVINGAfter a short drive in the hybrid M35h, I can vouch for the air-conditioning. But its claims to be the quickest hybrid remained untested and it's difficult not to be aware of its US market origins, with evidence in features such as a foot-operated park brake. Ride and refinement were strong, but from behind the wheel it felt remote.For a “challenger brand”, leading with such a traditional luxury car is itself a challenge. The FX’s dare-to-be-different design works more successfully and although it has similar stateside traits to the M, it was more interesting from behind the wheel.VERDICTDespite being older, the FX was easier to like and should be more popular here.Infiniti MPrice: from $85,900Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel; 3.7-litre V6 petrol; hybrid 3.5- litre V8 petrol plus electric motorOutputs: 175kW and 550N (M30d); 235kW and 360Nm (M37); 268kW combined (M35h)Transmission: seven-speed auto, rear-wheel driveInfiniti FXPrice: from $83,900Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel; 3.7-litre V6 petrol; 5.0-litre V8 petrolOutputs: 175kW and 550Nm (FX30d); 235kW and 360Nm (FX37); 287kW andTransmission: seven-speed auto, all-wheel drive