At first glance, the Infiniti and Nissan model lineups look so much alike. Is Infiniti a luxury car? That’s the question plenty of people ask when looking at the brand when comparing it to the Nissan lineup. After all, why do the vehicles cost more than Nissans? Are you getting anything extra by going with Infiniti sedans, coupes or SUVs, or is it just more money for nothing?
In case you don’t know by now, Nissan and Infiniti share an inseparable bond. Nissan actually owns the other brand, having launched it long ago as a way to capture more of the automotive market. Naturally, plenty of people who are looking for new or preowned vehicles look at both Nissan and Infiniti. While it might not seem apparent at first, there really are some big differences between the two.
Passenger Comfort
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two brands is the creature comforts included in the various models. Infiniti is indeed a luxury brand, so you’ll get more perks by going with it over a Nissan. The added features might include leather upholstery, seat heaters, more advanced electronics, smart keys, superior noise insulation, and real wood accents.
Vehicle Performance
Another area where Infiniti has an advantage is performance. While Nissan admittedly does have Godzilla, or the GT-R, that’s definitely the exception to the overall picture. If you want a vehicle that will thrill you each time you climb behind the wheel, or that makes you feel more connected to the road, an Infiniti is a much safer bet.
The common objection to this claim of Infinitis being better performance vehicles is that they’re all based on Nissans. The untrained eye might look at the Infiniti Q50 and Nissan Maxima and judge the two sedans to be the same thing, albeit with a different brand logo. Or they might erroneously think other Infinitis are Nissans, only with different body panels and badges. If you’re thinking that’s the case, you’re actually dead wrong.
There are some Infiniti vehicles that are not even loosely related to Nissan models. When the Infiniti brand first started up, most models were essentially just rebadged Nissans. That fact made some people question if it was worth even buying an Infiniti. While it’s true that certain Infiniti cars or SUVs share the same chassis and maybe even the engine with Nissan vehicles, it’s nothing like before. The only Nissan that comes with rear-wheel drive is the 370Z, but several Infinitis are either rear- or all-wheel drive. Trying to find a Nissan sedan with all-wheel drive is impossible, but it’s completely possible with Infiniti.
A number of Infinitis are just plain more powerful than relatively equivalent Nissan models. That’s good news for anyone with a need for solid acceleration, good hill-climbing capabilities, or who just appreciates a vehicle that can carve up the roads.
The Technology Inside
Anyone who’s a fan of cutting-edge technology should definitely go with Infiniti over Nissan. The luxury brand oftentimes gets different features long before Nissan, so owners enjoy all of the latest and greatest. This includes driver assistance systems, which are great for avoiding accidents, as well as infotainment, comfort, convenience and efficiency innovations.
To clearly illustrate some differences between Infiniti and Nissan, comparing the 2015 Q50 to the 2016 Maxima is actually quite enlightening. The Infiniti has a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that packs a serious punch at 328 horsepower, outmuscling the Nissan’s 3.5-liter V-6, which makes up to 300 horsepower. Despite being more powerful, the Q50 matches the Maxima’s estimated 30 mpg on the highway. Adding further to the value of the Infiniti is a 6-year or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty, versus 5 years or 60,000 miles for the Nissan.
The differences don’t stop there. You can get the Infiniti Q50 as a hybrid. Other exclusive content available for the Infiniti and not the Nissan are dual HD screens, a Bose audio system, and all-wheel drive.
It’s not that Nissans are bad vehicles; they’re actually quite nice and great values. The thing is that Infinitis as luxury models offer unrivaled quality, no matter if they’re sedans, sports cars or SUVs. With a big selection of models that range from sporty coupes to three-row SUVs and everything in between, you can easily find an Infiniti that works for your lifestyle. Simply put, you just can’t go wrong with Infiniti, even if you really love Nissan.
T3 Atlanta
Whether you choose a Nissan or an Infiniti vehicle, bring your vehicle to T3 Atlanta when it’s time for maintenance. Our convenient Decatur and Smyrna locations offer friendly, top-quality service for problems both large and small. Give us a call today!
Check out the MyCarFax app. It can help you track the maintenance needs of up to five vehicles at a time, which is great for households with multiple drivers. Adding a vehicle can be done by entering the VIN or license plate number. If you prefer an easier method, you can also scan the bar code next to the VIN. This app tracks not only upcoming maintenance items needed such as tire rotations and oil changes, but also open recalls.
Also available for Android and Apple users is AutoCare. Although it’s not free, the app can help you manage multiple vehicles with customizable service reminders, making it a useful auto maintenance app. The ability to customize alerts is actually a truly great feature, because say if you use synthetic oil and can stretch out oil changes further, the app will accommodate that instead of bugging you to change the oil too early.
Not only can you track vehicle maintenance records and needs with RepairPal, you can also be better prepared to fix your car. Everyone knows that accidents and unexpected thing happen in life, but this app helps you take it in stride with a one-touch option for roadside assistance. You can also use it to locate a quality local mechanic, plus it provides fair pricing for different jobs so you don’t end up paying too much.
One of the easiest and most essential items for tire care is keeping each tire properly inflated. The vehicle manufacturer actually prints how much air pressure to maintain in the tires, placing the info on the driver’s doorjamb.
Unfortunately, some people face the problem of lost car keys and absolutely no spare of any kind, so they can’t use the vehicle until they pay for a new key. The simple fact is it can take some time to have a new key made, plus cost a fair amount of money. Getting a key quickly can ratchet up the price significantly, especially at night, on a weekend, or during a major holiday, so if you can hold out there’s a definite reward.
There are some ways to save on the cost of getting a new Toyota key. Multiple websites exist that will allow you to order a key at a fraction of the cost you would pay to go through a dealer. The catch is you’ll have to wait for the key to ship, so if you don’t have a spare, it’s not really the best route to go. If you get a fob or proximity key this way, you still have to go to a dealer, service shop or locksmith to have it programmed, so you won’t save money on that cost. It’s a security measure to have all Toyota owners have their fobs and proximity keys programmed at dealers, certified shops and locksmiths after proving ownership of the vehicle.
One of the first questions is whether you should get a new or used vehicle? There are special things to consider when buying a used car versus one that’s brand new, so this is a critical point. While it’s nice to have a new car with zero wear on it, the cost might be more than you want or can afford to take on. It’s a good idea to get prequalified for financing, since it gives you a clear picture of what you can afford.
Too many times, even experienced shoppers forget to ask about the costs of ownership. Apart from monthly payments, you need to figure out how much you’ll be spending in gas each week. Contact your insurance carrier to learn what premiums will run, because they can go up or down depending on specific models.
How many people will be riding in the Toyota? If you need to regularly transport seven people, opting for a sedan like a Camry simply won’t be a wise choice. Alternatively, if only one or two people will ride in the car, you don’t necessarily need to be looking at something as large as a Sequoia.
An even bigger deal is the mechanical differences, especially when it comes to engines. The funny thing is there’s little difference, if any at all, in Lexus vs Toyota reliability. Both brands are safe bets if you want to own something that will last a long time without needing repairs constantly. This fact alone is one of the big draws to either option. The reliability for both brands is partly because certain engines are used in Toyota and Lexus models. The Toyota Avalon and Lexus ES are powered by the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which is also used in the Highlander, Camry and Lexus RX. The 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain is the exact same as well.
Plenty of people choose to purchase a Lexus and never have any real complaints. They’re highly reliable and are packed with incredible luxuries like soft leather upholstery, seat heaters/ventilation, and wood inlays, to name a few. Lexus has a tremendous reputation for making cars that run smoothly, and interiors that are supremely quiet.
Toyotas are popular for some pretty compelling reasons. Reliability is obviously one, and so is great value retention. Toyotas are plentiful, so you can usually find just the right one without too much hassle. Because they’re popular, it isn’t difficult to find parts, servicing or aftermarket add-ons.
When it first debuted in 1993, the Tundra was called the Toyota T100. It wasn’t until 2000 that the Tundra name was applied to the pickup. Because of the name switch, the truck is technically in its third production generation.
The comfort doesn’t stop there. Thanks to the longer wheelbase Toyota uses for the Tundra versus its competitors, the truck takes rough roads and trails with ease. Drivers and passengers will barely feel potholes, speed bumps and rocks as they roll right over them. Add to that the smooth-operating 5.7-liter V-8 engine, which doesn’t make all kinds of unnecessary noise, and you have a pickup that’s more than livable on a daily basis.
In case you aren’t aware of the history of the Camry, here’s a brief overview. The car originally was launched as the Celica Camry in 1979. It wasn’t a runaway hit overnight, but started to pick up serious momentum in the mid-80s.
No matter how reliable any car, sooner or later you’ll have to replace parts. The timing belt, brakes, tires, light bulbs, hoses, etc. must be swapped out regularly. Other components such as the alternator or water pump can also eventually wear out.
Also about once a month, you need to check the tire pressure. You can find the correct psi in the owner’s manual or on the sticker located on the driver’s doorjamb. Keeping the pressure at that listed level will prevent unnecessary wear and help save on fuel.
The hybrid that kicked off a revolution is a tremendous vehicle for families. The US EPA estimates the 2016 model gets up to 58 mpg in the city, so you don’t have to stop at the pump nearly as often. That translates into savings every day, something every family certainly can benefit from.
Sometimes you need a truck without all of the usual headaches that come from owning one. The Toyota Tacoma was built for families who are active, which is why a GoPro mount is included on the windshield. Instead of being large and unruly, you’ll find that maneuvering the Tacoma is easy. The backseat is comfortable and large enough to fit child seats without any hassle.
Minivans are incredibly practical for families, and the Toyota Sienna is a low-maintenance way to have one. Not only does it include a large interior with room to fit adults on all three rows, it’s loaded with clever storage areas as well. An optional system uses a microphone to project the driver’s voice through the rear speakers, making it unnecessary to yell to have conversations with anyone sitting on the third row.
