Infiniti Reliability Guide: An In-depth Look
I am a serial entrepreneur and a consumer advocate. When I’m not helping car buyers, I love working on ventures that have a positive impact.
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Do you have plans of buying an Infiniti car? If yes, then you’ll love to know how reliable these cars are. There are many good things about Infiniti cars, but they are not the type of cars we will advise as your first car.
These cars deliver a wild burst of power of up to 300hp. This will pose great risks to an inexperienced driver. Infiniti cars are not the type of cars we will refer to as fuel-efficient, they require premium gas, but you must drive at reasonable speeds to save gas. But are Infiniti reliable?
The truth remains that Infiniti is a fairly reliable brand. These cars have durable frames, great engine performance, low repair and maintenance costs, impressive handling, high safety rating, and styling. Infiniti is the type of car you need when you want a feel of sporty rides.
Here’s all you need to know about Infiniti’s reliability and what to consider before purchasing one.
Table of Contents
Are Infiniti Reliable?
Infiniti cars are fairly reliable. On Infiniti cars, you will not get as much reliability as from Honda or Toyota. Still, you will get a reliability rating that is “good enough to get you going.” On RepairPal, they have a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0, ranking 16th out of 32 car brands.
Infiniti is the luxury brand of Nissan Motor Co. They are to Nissan what Kia is to Hyundai.
Buying an Infiniti feels like dealing with a premium brand. You have the specs of high performance, superior designs, and parts. Fortunately, unlike what is obtainable on most luxury brands, Infiniti has a low cost of repairs and maintenance.
I was opportune to own an Infiniti G35, which was one of the best decisions I made. The car is fun to drive, has a low maintenance cost, a strong powertrain, and quick and responsive handling.
It’s more than 200,000 miles, and the repair/maintenance routine on this beauty is just minor wear and tear, oil changes, and windshield fixes.
This is the same report with users of the 2008 Infiniti G35. The reliability of the Infiniti brand is not the same as all of its models. An Infiniti i30 will last long, but this is not the same as the 2013 Infiniti M37.
Infiniti cars are quite safe but have an inconsistent record of safety ratings. These cars consistently earned the IIHS Safety Rating from 2012 to 2017, only to reappear again in 2019, with scanty awards in 2022.
On an overall scale, Infiniti is a great option for car owners who need them for daily commutes. You have good gas mileage on them and the ability to last long.
Why Infiniti Cars Are Considered Fairly Reliable
1. Low Repair and Maintenance Cost
Infiniti has a low repair and maintenance cost. It is very cheap to own and maintain an Infiniti car. However, this greatly depends on your chosen model and year of production.
If you are lucky enough to escape the problematic years, you have a cost-effective car to enjoy. With an Infiniti car, you have a 10% probability of a major repair and a 0.7 chance of visiting the mechanic.
2. Durability
Durability remains one of the major reasons why Infiniti retains its reliability. Infiniti cars are very durable, although the durability of the Infiniti brand is mixed. There are many recalls on Infiniti cars.
The Infiniti brand has many recalls from the 2016 to 2018 Q50, 2017 Q70, and some 2022 QX60. However, if you are lucky enough to lay your hands on good Infiniti cars, you will enjoy them. These cars have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years and an extended mileage of 200,000 to 300,000 miles.
3. Design
Infiniti maintains a design philosophy that explains “powerful elegance.” These cars are designed to create a strong desire amongst users, but in a manner that they last the test of time, a holy trio of technicality, power, and romance.
You need an Infiniti car if you are a fan of fashionable styles. The designs and contours are all designed to make a statement. This is backed up with reinforcements that make them last.
The Infiniti Q50 earned the 2015 Ritvo design and Elegance award. Boring designs have no place in the Infiniti line-up. Infiniti’s design line-up spreads through impressive diesel, petrol engines, or Hybrid options. If you want an Infiniti Hybrid, there’s the Infiniti Qx60.
Unfortunately, unlike most car brands, Infiniti hasn’t adopted a fully electric option on its cars. This means Infiniti doesn’t make plug-in hybrid cars.
Infiniti adopts a direct-response hybrid system, eliminating the need to charge your cars before they operate. The Infiniti hybrid models allow gas engines to charge lithium-ion batteries when needed.
4. Gas Mileage
You will get impressive gas mileage on Infiniti cars. This also depends on the model and year that you settle for. The 2022 Infiniti QX50, 2021 QX50, and QX80 are the best fuel-efficient Infiniti cars.
You should expect a gas mileage of 23 MPG city, 29 MPG highway, and 26 MPG combined. The fuel economy for Infinitis is lower than what is obtainable on Honda cars, but they are good enough to keep you on the road. More importantly, Infiniti cars use premium gas.
5. Safety
Technology is one of Infiniti’s selling points. But it is disappointing to discover that they dropped safety ratings after 2017. This was after they earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for five consecutive years since 2012.
However, Infiniti reappeared on the IIHS safety pick award in 2019 and 2022, with the 2019 Infiniti QX60 and the 2022 Infiniti QX60, respectively.
Infiniti takes safety to the next level by impacting all areas of its cars like engine, traction, and driver assistance systems. The Infiniti technology models adopt a traction technology that offers 4WD, 2WD, or AWD exactly when you need them.
You have a dynamic digital suspension and six driving modes to choose from. These driving modes adjust your engine, suspension, transmission, and steering to match your mood and needs.
Infiniti cars are popular for their acceleration and handling performance. This is because the engines are tuned to deliver a rush of power, with direct adaptive steering that keeps you in control.
The Infiniti safety technology features a ProPilot Assist that integrates a Navi-link to sync your car with the traffic and help you stay in harmony with speed limits.
There is a head-up display, active noise control, smart rearview mirror, and a Bose performance series Audio system to give you the sound you deserve.
6. Engine and Performance
The Infiniti VC-turbo engine is Infiniti’s best attempt at making reliable engines. The engine features advanced internal combustion, power, and enough endurance to last up to 15 years.
The speed of Infiniti cars is commendable. You can accelerate up from 0 to 60mph in 4.5 seconds. There are supports for traction control and handling on Infiniti cars to keep you safe while you race to the end of the world.
Infiniti Reliability: Pros
- Great performance
- Fair fuel economy
- Nice Infotainment
- Durable engine
- High safety ratings
Infiniti Reliability: Cons
- Some models and years of production are poor.
- Inconsistent safety ratings.
Verdict
We can’t rule out Infiniti’s reliability. They are fairly reliable. However, it is important that you carry out extensive research on the Infiniti car that you wish to buy.
You can go as far as requesting that it is properly test-driven.
