Which Infiniti Is the Most Reliable?

Since 1989, the Infiniti has gained a reputation as one of the most reliable luxury vehicles you can buy. Some model years held up better than others, but most turned out to be steady performers with good value as used vehicles. 

Infiniti has several reliable cars and SUVs, so it’s hard to crown one specific vehicle the winner. Which Infiniti is the most reliable sedan? You could also ask, “Which Infiniti is the most reliable SUV?”

The most reliable Infiniti sedan is the Infiniti Q50. This car gets some of the best reviews and rankings from round-up sites and users of any Infiniti model. The most reliable Infiniti SUV is the Infiniti QX50, which is the least expensive crossover Infiniti makes. 

Several factors go into determining a vehicle’s worth and reliability. Let’s look into what makes these Infinitis and other models in their line-up reliable performers year after year. 

Current Infiniti Models

If you plan to buy a used car, you have a large selection to choose from over several model years. You can still often spot Infinitis as old as 2000 on the road. 

Infiniti’s line-up of new models includes

• Q50 sedan
• Q60 coupe
• QX50 SUV
• QX55 SUV
• QX60 SUV
• QX80 SUV

The QX80 is the only traditional SUV and happens to be one of the most reliable 7-passenger SUV models available. The other SUVs are technically crossovers. 

If you’re unclear about the difference between a crossover and an SUV, it’s in the construction. You can’t always glance at an SUV and tell the difference. 

Traditional SUVs are heavier and built on a truck chassis. Most smaller, compact SUVs are crossovers built on a car framework.

What Is Infiniti?

Infiniti is a car brand offering luxury sedans, coupes, crossovers, and SUVs. 

Since 1989, Infiniti has produced some of the most affordable premium vehicles that compete with BMW, Mercedes, and other well-established luxury brands. 

Japanese automaker Nissan established Infiniti to tap into the luxury market and keep the branding distinct from their existing line-up of less expensive Nissan vehicles. 

The first Infiniti offerings were vehicles previously sold in Japan under the Nissan brand. 

Which Infiniti Is the Most Reliable from the SUV Line?

Some vehicles have bad model years when the quality dips, but Infiniti’s most reliable SUV holds up. 

Which Infiniti is the most reliable one from their current line-up? The new QX50 is the most reliable SUV in past models and new ones. 

The QX50 has consistently been rated above 7 out of 10 by the U.S. News and World Report. The 2014-2017 models rank higher than the 2019-2022 versions, earning over 8 out of 10 overall. 

This reliability makes the Infiniti QX50 one of the best SUVs you can buy. J.D. Power and Associates’ reliability rating for the QX50 ranked in the 70s out of a possible 100 for all models of this SUV. 

The QX50 was a rebrand of the Infiniti EX. Infiniti EX models from 2008-2013 earned the same high marks from U.S. News. The 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 models were the highest-ranked model years. 

The 2008 version scored an impressive 8.7 on a scale of 10, making it their highest-rated model year for this SUV. 

Reliability Ratings

Repair Pal estimates the average annual cost of repairs for a 2017 Infiniti QX50 at about $496. Some older model years hover around that price, while some go over $700. 

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2021 model at 77 out of 100, making it #5 in their list of compact SUVs. 

Best Features of the Infiniti QX50

Every car buyer wants to know what makes a car great. The drawbacks are as valuable to know as the best features.

The new QX50 has more standard features than the 2021 version, but the entire line from the last several years are solid SUVs on the lower end of the price range for luxury vehicles. 

Some of the best features of the QX50 include:

• Roomy interior
• Ample cargo space
• Attractive design
• Fast acceleration
• Turbo-charged engine
• A long list of safety features in the base model

With any vehicle, you’ll find a few drawbacks. The engine and transmission of the QX50 get criticized for being louder than some expect when accelerating compared to other luxury crossovers.

Despite having the VC-Turbo engine that’s supposed to offer maximum power and efficiency, you can get about 27mpg on the highway, which is 2mpg less than advertised.

Luxury and Comfort

Attractiveness and luxury don’t affect reliability, but they help add up to a quality ride. The QX50 has standard and optional features that make it one of the most comfortable crossovers in its price range.

The SUV comes with heated front seats, noise suppression, and reclining seatbacks in the second row. The cabin is roomy and comfortable, and the entertainment options like Apple CarPlay and the available BOSE sound system are perks for many buyers. 

Performance

The new QX50 goes from 0-60 mph in an average of 6.4 seconds and 0-100 in an average of 17.4 seconds. Acceleration might not be as fast as some higher-end crossovers, but it’s not sluggish, either. 

Which Infiniti is the Most Reliable Car?

Which Infiniti is the most reliable from the sedan and coupe class? The retired Infiniti Q70 wasn’t the top pick of a few car critics, but the user reviews tell a different story. Sites like Edmunds show consistent ratings above average for this car, with 75% of the reviews at 5-stars overall. 

Owners find the car comfortable and reliable. The Q50 replaced the Q70 after 2019 as the only sedan Infiniti offers, and it scores even higher for reliability.

Reliability Ratings

Cars.com user reviews show an impressive 4.9 out of 5 rating on reliability for the older Q70. U.S. News consistently rated each year’s model above 7 out of 10 overall.  

The 2022 Q50 that replaces this model gets an impressive 83/100 rating for reliability and quality from J.D. Power. This rating ties it with the BMW 3 Series at #2 on their list of compact premium cars. 

Best Features of the Infiniti Q50

Car review sites like Car & Driver and Motortrend have reviews ranging from good to mixed for this Infiniti model. Users seem to think more highly of it than many critics and appreciate how it feels to drive it and know it will last for years. 

Some of the best features of this Infiniti sedan include: 

• V-6 twin-turbo engine with 300 horsepower
• Fast acceleration
• Upscale materials
• Roomy interior
• Sporty, attractive body
• A long list of driver-assist and safety features

Critics hail the twin-turbo engine as the best engine for the price in this class of cars, which will make gearheads appreciate the Q50 even more. 

Twin-turbo engines on other brands like BMW make the starting cost for those vehicles at least $55k, while the Q50 is more affordable. 

Which Infiniti is the Most Reliable?

If you prefer a sedan to an SUV, the Q50 is a solid choice. A used Q70 will save you money while still offering high reliability and low annual maintenance costs between $450-$650 per year.

If you’re in the market for a crossover SUV, car experts and users list the QX50 as the most reliable Infiniti model.