Nissan launched the Infiniti luxury nameplate in late 1989 for the 1990 model year as Nissan’s answer to Honda’s Acura division and Toyota’s Lexus line. Infiniti initially produced the flagship Q45 luxury sedan and the M30 coupe. As the 1990s progressed, the lineup expanded to include the midsize J30 luxury sedan and the G20 entry-luxury sedan. The marque also rebranded Nissan models as Infinitis with the I30 serving as the luxury version of the Maxima and the QX4 as an upscale Pathfinder.
Originally, all Infiniti models were imported from Japan. However, the Q50 sports sedan and the QX80 SUV are now the only models imported from the home country with the Q50 built in Kaminokawa at the Tochigi Plant and the QX80 produced at the Nissan Shatai Kyushu Plant in Yukuhashi. The QX50 SUV and its sportier QX55 coupe counterpart are built in Aguascalientes, Mexico at the COMPAS Plant alongside the Mercedes GLB. Infiniti’s sole model produced in the US is the Nissan Pathfinder-based QX60 SUV. Both are built at Nissan’s Smyrna, Tennessee plant.
Although Nissan is the parent company of Infiniti, Nissan itself is part of an alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi known as the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Formed in 1999 during a time when many auto companies were merging or being acquired, the partnership is not only unique, but it has also endured and outlasted many of the acquisitions of that era. Per the alliance, the companies leverage one another’s talents to expedite innovation and optimize production costs. While the shareholding structure within the alliance has shifted over the years, the current structure is that Nissan and Renault have 15% cross-shareholding. Considering the voting rights of the companies within the partnership, Infiniti is influenced by more than just Nissan.
Currently, the alliance leverages a modular architecture known as the Common Module Family (CMF) which is said to reduce 20-30% of parts costs. Given the economies of scale that come with modular architecture, the CMF is leveraged to replace multiple platforms and thus can be employed in vehicles across many segments globally. The Nissan Sentra, Nissan Rogue, and Mitsubishi Outlander all use this architecture.
The Infiniti QX60 rides on the Nissan D platform which is shared with the closely-related Pathfinder as well as with other models within the alliance, including variants from Renault. The largest Infiniti available, the QX80, shares its platform with the Nissan Armada and Titan.
The only Infiniti car sold in the US is the Q50 sport sedan. Originally known as the G35, the Q50 debuted for the 2014 model year and has received updates in the years since, but not a full redesign. With many competitors offering 4-cylinder options, the Q50 is unique in that both variants are powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The Red Sport 400 trim produces 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque while the entry-level Q50 delivers 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both power options can be configured with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Infiniti’s nomenclature uses “X” to denote an SUV, like BMW. Infiniti’s compact 2-row SUV is the QX50, launched for the 2019 model year. Competing with the BMW X3, Mercedes GLC, and Audi Q5, the QX50 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 268 hp. Priced in the $40k to $60k range, depending on trim level and equipment, the QX50 offers 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats. This luxury crossover comes in standard front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is a $2,000 option.
The “coupe” of the QX50 is the QX55, which adds a sleeker silhouette and competes with the Audi Q5 Sportback, BMW X4, and the Mercedes GLC Coupe. Unlike the QX50, the striking QX55 comes standard with AWD and is priced from $50k to $60k.
The QX60 is Infiniti’s 3-row luxury crossover that competes with the Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, Lexus TX, and Audi Q7. Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 295 hp, the QX60 can be configured with front or all-wheel drive. Infiniti’s best-selling model ranges in price from $50k to $70k, depending on equipment levels.
Infiniti’s range-topping SUV is the QX80 and is the marque’s only remaining V8 offering with a 5.6 liter engine delivering 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. This full-size luxury SUV is available with rear or all-wheel drive. Priced from $74k to $90k, the QX80 competes with the GMC Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and the Lexus LX.
For 2025, Infiniti will debut a redesigned QX80 with a twin-turbocharged 3.5 liter V6 engine outputting 450 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Featuring Infiniti’s latest design language, the new version has a luxurious interior with a 14.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, an optional electronic air suspension enabling the vehicle to raise and lower 2.8 inches, as well as the ability to tow up to 8,500 pounds.
On the sportier side, a QX65 crossover coupe is planned to compete with the Mercedes GLE coupe and BMW X6. Meanwhile, Infiniti also plans to enter the luxury EV arena and has shown their Vision Qe sedan and Vision QXe crossover concepts which preview the brand’s interpretation of electrification.
Infiniti continues to evolve and deliver its own unique interpretation of luxury. With new SUVs and electrified options on the way, it will be exciting to see these concepts become a reality.
Matt Yantakosol is a lifelong automotive enthusiast and former consultant focused on the consumer aspect of the industry. He has traveled to New York, Detroit, Chicago, L.A., Paris, Geneva, Frankfurt, and Tokyo Auto Shows to track and observe the newest industry innovations. In addition to JDPower.com, Matt's writing has appeared on Pcarmarket.com.
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