Year-End Deal Reality Check: Infiniti

Just because the Christmas shopping season is over, doesn't mean the deals are. The end of the year can be a great time to buy a new car. Infiniti's Limited Engagement sale is back this year, enticing new-car shoppers with low financing on new 2011 and 2012 vehicles.

Well-qualified buyers can purchase select 2012 Infiniti cars and SUVs and take advantage of 1.9% or 2.9% financing. The former is offered for between 36 and 60 months, and latter is offered for 72 months. Vehicles that qualify for the deal include 2012 versions of the Infiniti G25 sedan, G37 sedan, M sedan (including the M37, M Hybrid and M56), FX and QX56. The offer excludes the 2012 Infiniti G IPL.

In an effort to clear 2011 vehicles off the lots, Infiniti dealers are also offering the financing special on 2011 G37 coupes and convertibles and the EX35 SUV. For example, you can buy a 2011 G37 coupe starting at $37,150 (excluding destination charges) and get 1.9% financing for 60 months. These offers end Jan. 3.

Infiniti Targets Family, Entry Segments

Infiniti, Nissan's luxury division, sees an opportunity for growth in two segments — one addressed by the three-row JX crossover, the other by a future model that slots below the brand's popular G25/G37.

Ben Poore, vice president of Infiniti's U.S. business unit, sat down with us at the recent L.A. Auto Show to talk about the brand's potential. With inventories outpacing the industry average — unusual for a luxury brand — sales improved 3 percent in November, but they remain down nearly 4 percent this year. Poore notes the year-over-year results compare to a huge sales year (2010) for Infiniti, but says better inventory should help the road ahead.

He has high hopes for the JX crossover, a car he says targets "a very different market" from the QX SUV despite both having three rows of seats. While the $58,700 QX56 boasts V-8 towing capacity and a flashier clientele, Poore says the $40,450 JX35 hits the jackpot segment of luxury crossovers: the "luxury family."

2012 Nissan Maxima, Titan, Infiniti QX56, Others Get Modest Price Boost

Nissan this week announced pricing for its popular 2012 Nissan Maxima large sedan, along with other Nissan and Infiniti SUVs and trucks. This group of models — Maxima, Armada, Titan, QX56 and EX35 — consists mostly of carryovers, with few significant changes. That also means pricing stays pretty much the same compared with last year.

• 2012 Nissan Lineup: Ch-Ch-Changes
• 2012 Infiniti Lineup: Ch-Ch-Changes

Starting with the most popular of the bunch, the 2012 Nissan Maxima (shown above) maintains the same pricing as the 2011 model. The Maxima undergoes an exterior refresh for 2012. The grille, taillamps and wheel designs are new. The interior gets a new instrument cluster, new trim colors, a new look for the center stack and a beige-colored interior option. In addition to the updates, the Maxima gets a new Limited Edition Package, which includes smoked-appearance xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights, 18-inch dark silver wheels, a rear spoiler and metallic trim in the interior. The package costs $710.

Reader Review of the Week: 2011 Infiniti EX35

“Average Joe” from Berkeley Calif., was looking for something larger than the coupe he owned, so he traded it in for a new 2011 Infiniti EX35. The new crossover fulfills two important aspects that he and his wife were looking for: enough room to ferry the in-laws and to do so in something stylish. Continue reading below for the full reader review. Once you’re done, share your comments about your own car here.

2011 Infiniti EX35 Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Infiniti EX35 was named a Top Safety Pick in the midsize luxury SUV category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety today. The 2011 Acura RDX was also tested, but it did not receive the top honor.

The EX35 has won the award in previous years, when the title was given to vehicles earning the agency’s top rating of Good in front, side and rear crash tests, and had electronic stability control. This was before IIHS added its roof-strength test, which made it harder for new cars to be named Top Safety Picks. To pass the test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight.

The EX35 was able to withstand exactly four times its weight. The RDX, previously a Top Safety Pick, did not earn the designation because it scored a Marginal rating in the roof-strength test. The luxury crossover could withstand only 2.9 times its own weight.

Neither car has been fully crash-tested using the updated evaluations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

2012 Infiniti Lineup: Ch-Ch-Changes

The big change for Infiniti’s 2012 lineup is a new hybrid variant of the M sedan and a minor refresh for the FX crossover. The Infiniti M35h went on sale in March, and the FX goes on sale in the October.

You can learn more about the Infiniti M35h here:

• 2012 Infiniti M35h
• 2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid Priced at $53,700

The 2012 FX receives a revised front grille and front end design, a new instrument cluster and standard heated front seats on all models. There’s also a new Limited Edition trim for the FX35 AWD, which includes 21-inch wheels, navigation and an exclusive Iridium Blue exterior color option, among other trim changes.

The rest of Infiniti’s lineup received updated packaging for 2012.

2011 Infiniti EX Priced at $34,150

As Infiniti prepares delivery of its 2011 EX35 to dealerships by the end of the month, we now know the model will start at $34,150, which is a $350 price increase from last year. The Journey trim starts at $36,350, which also is $350 more than the 2010 model year.

The 2011 Infiniti EX gets a standard seven-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the 2010’s five-speed, and a new set of 18-inch wheels (last year’s were 17-inchers). Dual-zone automatic climate control is now standard. The model also has an available blind spot warning system that’s been added to the Technology Package. A new Premium Package combines last year’s Navigation, Bose and Around View Monitor packages.

For more detailed pricing information, continue reading below.

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2011 Infiniti Lineup

Infiniti is making slight changes to its entire 2011 model year lineup, in addition to redesigned models like the M sedan and QX56 SUV. 

The G series will receive two new “product extensions” to be announced Aug. 13-14, the company says. These could be new body styles or performance variants. We’ll keep you posted when we get more information on that later this summer.

Read below for more information regarding the 2011 updates to the rest of the Infiniti range:

Infiniti Offers 0% Financing Deals Through June

Infiniti is offering financing deals through the end of June on both 2010 and 2011 models.

The 2010 G37 sedan, G37 coupe, G37 convertible and EX35 all have zero-percent financing deals for 36 months, while the FX35, FX50 and QX56 all have 0.9% financing offers for 60 months.

As far as 2011 models, the redesigned M37 and M56 both have 2.9% APR financing for up to 60 months.

If you’re an Infiniti owner already, check with your local dealer for Owner Loyalty Cash offers. Infiniti has these financing deals set to run through June 30.

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Infiniti EX35

The first thing Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays wants to point out about the 2009 Infiniti EX35 is it makes for a fun drive. Crossovers have an advantage because they blend a superior driving experience with the utility of a standard SUV, right? This is where Mays says, “Hold on.” It may be that the EX35 sacrifices too much to achieve that pleasant drive. Read his full review to find out where he stands in this debate and how the EX35 may or may not fit your lifestyle.

2009 Infiniti EX35 Review

2009|Infiniti|EX35