ScottLong

Why is it that Infiniti is often put on a higher pedestal than Acura? I'm actually very curious about this. I understand why a lot of people will put Lexus,BMW,MB,AUDI over Acura. It's common sense. But why is it that Infiniti rarely gets bashed the way Acura does? How come people don't talk about how Infiniti utterly bombed with the Q50 and is struggling to stay alive these days?
Infiniti never had a LS/7/A8 competitor either, their SUV'S are below Acura's and their sales are really lacking. So why the love for Infiniti(on the internet at least)? Is it because of their RWD Sports mentality?
I also noticed that a lot of my friends and a lot of family members also view Infiniti as the 'more higher end' Brand compared to Acura. How did Infiniti achieve all these things with only one bread and butter car?

Acuramon

I've wondered that before also. I don't think Infiniti is better than Acura in terms of quality. The only reason I can think of that Acura is bashed so much is because Acura/Honda actually started the Japanese Luxury market segment. Maybe there's pressure for Acura to stay at the forefront whereas Infiniti doesn't have those same expections.

DEman19901

Brand specific platforms and RWD. My 2 cents.

ATLS_666

Because RWD?

DEman19901

Most of your luxury brands have RWD platforms as they tend to be more of a "drivers car". I think maybe Audi is the only exception to the rule. Volvo is debatable.

ATLPatrick

Just like everyone else has said, RWD, even though the g37 was nothing more than a 370z with a Maxima interior, and the Q50 DAS is the worst steering I've ever seen in any car. To me Infiniti feels cheap, Acura feels nicer, and with much higher quality interiors. A G37 or Q50 may be faster on the track, but ill take an Acura any day over a nissa... sorry Infiniti.

DEman19901

If that what helps you sleep at night....

ATLPatrick

It may just be my experience with them, but every single one I've seen thats even 2 or 3 years old had interior bits with scratches as thats fading in places. They have more rattles than many cars i've driven, and something about them just feels cheap to me. I'm not denying their performance, the G37 is definitely a fun car, and I love the exterior of the Q50. I actually looked at a g37 just a few weeks ago before adding my is350 to my garage. The Infiniti I looked at was a 2012 g37xS coupe, fun car yes but the lexus felt faster and much nicer. The Infiniti didnt feel much quicker than my TLX, and the quality was no where near the Acura. Also it rattled like crazy, maybe its just me but a quality 2 year old car shouldn't have as many rattles as that car did. And I just personally hate their interior design of the g37.

Ive owned cars from many major car companies, including a Nissan more than 20 years ago, but to me Infiniti is just overpriced crap.

wlkeel

These are the first two things that I thought of also.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I'm so glad you found a home with the 5th gen TLX sub section!

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

hiufly

Better performance? I like my TL

Curious3GTL

I think Infiniti is more praised than Acura among the enthusiast community, because of their RWD and V8 platforms. The general population though? I don't think they know any difference.

I think the OP brought up a lot of valid points. While Acura clearly has it's issues (ILX and RLX) Infiniti has some big issues as well. The Q50 isn't selling anywhere near what the G37 sold at sales wise. Not to mention their name change is just stupid.

BEAR-AvHistory

Guys here will like their Acura's better but the OP's question is about the perception of the Infiniti brand by the general population.

RWD. Much wider model offering. They have about 13 models that start around $45K & 5 under that.

Higher performance levels in the base car. At the bottom of the lineup better separation from the Nissan products than Acura does from Honda. More attractive styling across the line than the 4G. 5G styling should help a lot against the base G model.

Sales numbers could be a reflection of where the public, because of the higher pricing, views the product line against the Germans & Lexus. Most of the time for the same money one of the major four manufactures will get the sale.

Nedmundo

Yes, it's RWD and brand specific platforms, but also V8 engines, and this started with the brands' initial top offerings. Acura's Legend didn't really challenge M-B and BWM, but the LS400 and Infiniti's Q45 did, with both RWD and V8 engines. The Q45 didn't fare nearly as well as the Lexus, but it did establish that Infiniti could play in the large RWD V8 segment, and as we know Acura never has.

jjsC5

I've owned for four Acuras and three Infiniti's. I consider them fairly even in quality, features and refinement. My 2006 M45 felt as well done as BMWs and the Lexus I've owned but with different priorities (Lexus more refined in a luxury way, Infinity more of a sport sedan.

I agree with other posts. Acura needs a RWD platform and a little more pizzaz to move up a notch in the status ratings. But I also admit that Infiniti has made a number of marketing mistakes and can't seem to sweat the details like some of the other premium brands. They are a "tweener".

ATLPatrick

I do also agree Acura needs a RWD platform, and a turbo I4 and turbo V6. When I referred to the quality issues I was speaking about my experiences with multiple G37's, and the ones I have seen don't come close to Acura, much less Lexus. However I haven't driven that model m45, only M I've driven is the M35H hybrid, so its nice to know the M45's aren't bad like the G's.

9SpeedTran

I don't think they had brand-specific platforms until recently if at all. The G35/7 and now Q50 is clearly based on the Altima. Their SUVs are prettied up Nissans for sure.

But the Infiniti ads have always emphasized the luxury of the vehicle, since the first ones where they didn't even show the cars.

Tony Pac

1. RWD
2. They are priced higher than Acuras (perception - people think Infinities are better)
3. Offers more models - V8 engines
4. People have more expectations from Acura than Infiniti. Acura is rocking since end 80s and people know Infiniti since G35 (2002).

In reality - Acura makes better machines (Honda > Nissan any day). Interior of Acuras are much better than Infinities. Reliability - no comment. Acura is King!! Exterior design Infiniti is better. Last but not least, Infiniti's only G series were successful, the company was going to shut down if they were not going to hire Audi's CEO 2 years ago.

Overall, Acura > Infinit.

Tony Pac

Read: Nissan Almost Shut Down Infiniti

winstrolvtec

It's probably just RWD and V8 and the reaction to that, including the market and "professional" (or basically media) opinion. The brand specific platform stuff is questionable because some are used in the Nissan line and some models are also true Nissan rebadges. As of now, current Acura models and line have no Honda rebadge although some do share platforms but most brands will and do. With exceptions, the general trend is going towards that direction, not away.

I would also add, they make a popular coupe and are regarded as a sportier brand, which may not be the winning ingredient for everyday all around drivers/shoppers, it does well for magazines, comparos and reviews which generates the positive press which translates to that overall market reaction, whether it suites most drivers or not. Acuras concept is just not flashy or exciting, where Infiniti's is, even if Acura's attributes make for an arguably better or more well rounded vehicle, many consider the concept boring.

ostrich

I am actually surprised that some of the anti-Acura and pro-Infiniti posters have not jumped all over this post yet.... nice bait! LOL In fact, I am enjoying the civility of this thread - thanks everyone!

Seriously, I think that apart from the RWD issue that everyone has mentioned, Acura has a lot to answer for. Infiniti has separated itself from Nissan for some time now, while Acura continued to be too similar to Honda in many ways, including effort as recent as the ILX. Even the interior design and the paint colours are still shared a lot with Honda. This is no one's fault but Acura's.

Hopefully, as Acura is supposedly now being finally separated from Honda, we will be seeing more individually developed products that will separate itself from Honda.

Mind you, is this perception still just among the enthusiasts? Do the general public see it the same way, I wonder?

Tony Pac

I agree with everything, except one thing: G37 interior is the exact same as Maxima and engine 350Z

MSZ

G35/37/Q50 is based on 350/370Z/Fairlady Z's FM platform. So yes its not a brand-specific platform, but its definitely not shared with Altima.

ScottLong

Nein Kes.

ScottLong

Wow. Thanks Bro.

jjsC5

Exact same is not even close. They certainly share a design theme, but except for some fairly minor components the interiors are different....which can be said of most corporate cousins.

SSFTSX

Acura has SH-AWD, ELS/Krell Audio, Milano leather, 8/9 speed auto, thicker windows. it is much more differentiated than Honda.
if Acura introduced Type S models with current offering and 4 cylinder SUV smaller than RDX and some hybrids. Sales can easily go above 20k a month without any need of RWD/V8.

ostrich

While I appreciate these features, the market (and many of us here) is telling Acura that it is simply not good enough. These features appear like an "upgrade" from Honda, but not as an individually designed luxury vehicle that is not just an upgraded Honda.

Acura apparently shared your opinions before and is now recognizing that as a brand, they needed to do better than this in order to be taken seriously as a luxury brand. That is why they are emphasizing the split from Honda now.

Tony Pac

okay not exact but check 90% the same. I find Maxima looks even better

SSFTSX

I don't think they are going to split from Honda. it is adding features to Honda. ILX is Honda Civic, TLX is Accord. Only RLX separate platform and they not investing into it.

LaCostaRacer

I don't think Infinity is any better than Acura quality wise. I do think that Infinity might make more exciting cars to both look at and drive though. Some of this is subjective- I would say a G37 looks better that a 4G TL or even the TLX. Infinity also makes a two door coupe while Acura does not.

I would say Infinity has differentiated its brand from Nissan more than Acura has. The sedans are RWD or AWD while Nissan has mostly FWD for its sedans. Even in this forum, people will compare a Honda Accord to a TLX because there are many similarities and in some cases the Accord might appeal more to people: 6 speed manual option is one feature missing from Acura now.

ostrich

Honda spinning off Acura as stand-alone division in bid to wake up brand - Autoblog

It is happening already as Honda recognizes that Acura has not been doing well.

SSFTSX

The point is that despite all the investment in RWD/V8 infiniti sales cant match Acura. so when you have low sales and brand is practically unprofitable it takes away money from main stream products. See Nissan always second tier to Honda around the world. Nissan always need collaboration with Renault/MB etc.
same thing is now happening to Hyundai/Kia. too many offerings without corresponding increase in sales.

SSFTSX

it is just paper.

slats

Infinity should not be on the same plain as Acura/Lexus IMO. Just like a Nissan vs. Honda, it may have more power but much lower quality interior, rattles, etc. Same with Volvo- they are safe cars but fall short in other areas and are for the yuppy/hippie crowd (think Subaru competitor). While the Germans are on the top tier in the minds of most, I still feel like Lexus should not be there with them, but rather viewed as a competitor to Acura, both brands being the best Japan has to offer and right behind the Germans overall and above them in terms of reliability and resale value. But like others have said, the fact that Lexus does RWD makes a big difference. I'm still hoping Acura will follow their lead or at least test the market with one RWD model. Consider the baked-in value of the TLX in it current form but with RWD, 50/50 weight distribution like a BMW, bigger brakes, staggerd rim option, and a 6-speed manual as an option over the DCT. I would be waiting in line somewhere for that car right now.

beach109

This is a huge reason why. Even though their vehicles have many terrible aspects, the Q50 is a downright mess they can't do anything but discount hugely to sell and have yet to overcome the poor reviews of, and their crossover that was supposed to be great but also suffers from real world issues.

Where Infiniti resale value is at the bottom due to overproduction, over pricing, excessive discounting (they sell Infiniti's too much as they would a Nissan Versa, volume cheap, for example), certain aspects revered to media such as "but it's RWD..." on many models give them a different image.

When, in reality, they are not even in the same class, suffer from issues, have disgustingly terrible resale due to their sales approach of "make too many and make them cheaper with discounts!".

I can count every day the number of people we have that compare Acura to Infiniti, only a small handful of which then end up with the Infiniti, to be back in 4-8 months later begging to find a way out of it. More than one Q50 customer with drive issues, severe electronic issues, and several JX35/QX60 customers that thought the larger discount and bigger 3rd row were key...then are on their 2nd or 3rd CVT transmission, hate the sloshy big minivan driving feel, and regret having done so.

They had something going, yet in reality, image aside, Acura still runs circles around them...even though big critics and public don't always recognize it on the surface.

Goes to show you what previous high points in image can do to stick around.

Acura always has a way to go up...yet, even in current status, their conservative approach has maintained the industry leading performance, #1 resale value, reputation, etc. They may not always push the edge (2009 TL aside) but the key aspects remain.

"Yes but I could get a 2013 Infiniti lease for cheap"...2 years old at this point..."or they had leftovers at $11000 off"...are not winning components you hear too often with Infiniti. Once you're in, you're in, however, as with many brands. But don't be blinded to the reality.

No brand is perfect. Their image in many ways is no longer at all even remotely valid, and current modern day professional reviews say exactly why.

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

It's also in the way Infiniti started off and placed it's brand. If you think about the 1st gen Legend vs. the LS400 and Q45, it was so obvious that that Nissan and Lexus were really going for the gold. They were more into brand specific design and RWD. It made both their brands to be taken seriously. Thank God Acura got their act together with the Legend, Integra and NSX, otherwise Acura would have not only left in the dust, but it would have been history.

As time had gone on, Lexus brand image never got worse. Only consistently better. The brand has not only watched numbers but listened to what the majority of their customers wanted. Acura got better, Infiniti got worse and at a point in time actually were pretty even. Nowadays the brand image varies widely depending on who you ask. But most people who have the idea that Infiniti is still better today are mostly basing it on early days.

There is no denying Infiniti has had a lot more struggles and identity crisis lately more than Acura. Yes Acura has been struggling with sedans, at least they have sedans to sell! Infiniti's lineup is jacked up. And there is no comparison with SUV sales. And some super genius over there decided to rename everything in the most confusing way. Good job. Their shark like/fish like styling of late has to go! They just don't seem to be willing to let up on that. At least the Acura grille is on it's way out. Yes these kind of things make the design distinctive, nobody wants boring. But try to do something attractive. And before someone gets me for saying that design is subjective; what I mean is try designing something that MOST people would find attractive.

But Infiniti is just like Acura in this fact. They have proven the ability to make great cars. They have the talent and resources. Yet the Germans have taken back their turf and are clobbering them. When are they going to put some products to be passionate about once again?

Kense

As somebody with a Q50S hybrid to say the interior is cheap is far from the truth. Regarding DAS the issues have been corrected via a recall and the issues that were related to DAS were only in states where the Temps got really cold. Those of us in warm states have no issues and if you actually drove the car it's been blown out of proportion the way it feels, in fact if you didn't know DAS was there you'd hardly notice if at all.

I still have an 04 TL the best looking model IMO. I think the beak and lack of RWD is the biggest issue acura has faced, I know it's a running joke about the front grille but it really has hurt some. Acura also needs a RWD coupe with 300+ hp.

BEAR-AvHistory

The RLX is not a separate platform. Same platform different suspension setup, same basic engine. No different than the 3XX & the M3 except the M3 has a different version of the I6 turbo.