Lexus versus Infiniti

When J.D. Power and Associates’ dependability rankings came out late last summer, measuring how well models held up in three years of use, they revealed some surprises in the Car Class of 2004.

The biggest was that Buick tied for first place. That position had been occupied by Lexus almost exclusively for a decade and a half. Many products from GM and Ford bested imported competitors in dependability. The American automakers’ big hurdle now is to change the perception that American cars are inferior, but they won’t do that with J.D. Power’s initial quality awards and appeal awards. Lexus and Porsche nail the initial quality. Mercedes-Benz this year staged a quantum leap in quality. So did Kia.

 

International automaker competitors continue to raise the bar for themselves—creating a moving target for Detroit. I test-drove two cars that are meeting raised bars, the Lexus IS 250 sedan and the Infiniti G35 Sport 6MT sedan.

I had hoped the two would be completely comparable, since they are comparable in design and price, but they weren’t. True to the idea that Lexus takes on Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti competes with BMW, the Lexus model was a paradigm of comfort and convenience. The Infiniti was a speedster.

Both are four-door models with a two-door shape—very streamlined and aerodynamic. The Lexus had a base price of $31,425 and the final sticker was $37,772. The Infiniti had a base price of $32,250 and ended at $35,300.

The Lexus had numerous convenience accessories, including a navigation system with a rear-view camera, 18-inch wheels, high-intensity headlights that turn with the front wheels, Bluetooth and voice control of the navigation system, and ventilated seats that blew cool air onto my thighs and back as I drove.

The Infiniti had only a single "premium" option package that added a super sound system, sunroof, Bluetooth phone system and some other items. It did not have a navigation system or rear-view camera.

Please enter e-mail address.

Please enter some message text.