Best Car Reviews - 1999 Infiniti Q45

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Introduction

The 1999 Infiniti Q45 is a rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan aimed at drivers who value quiet long-distance comfort, V8 power and a generously equipped cabin. Although classified as a midsize car in EPA fuel-economy data, it was Infiniti’s flagship-style sedan, with near-full-size proportions and seating for five. This late second-generation Q45 stands out for its smooth 4.1-litre V8, traditional luxury appointments and a 1999 refresh that added useful equipment and a more polished appearance.

Design and Exterior Features

The Q45 has a formal, understated four-door-sedan shape rather than a sporty fastback profile. At approximately 199.6 inches long, with a 111.4-inch wheelbase, it has a substantial road presence without the visual excess common to some luxury sedans of its era. For 1999, Infiniti revised the front styling, reduced grille chrome, added Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlamps and brought back the dashboard analog clock. A body-coloured trunk garnish and power trunk pull-down helped give the update a more finished look.

Revised front-end styling with projector-style Xenon HID headlamps.
Power glass sunroof with tilt, slide and sunshade functions.
Alloy wheels, fog lamps and heated power mirrors.
Power trunk pull-down and power rear-window sunshade.

Interior and Comfort

The 1999 Infiniti Q45 focuses on a calm, traditional luxury experience. Leather upholstery, wood-look trim, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column and a memory driver’s seat create a well-equipped environment for its period. The front seats are broad and supportive for highway use, while the rear seat is better suited to two adults than three. Cabin isolation and the soft, composed ride are key strengths, though some interior finishes do not feel as convincingly upscale as those in a contemporary Lexus LS400.

Leather-trimmed seating and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.
Power front seats with lumbar adjustment and driver memory.
Automatic climate control and rear-seat air vents.
Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control and remote keyless entry.

Performance and Handling

Power comes from a naturally aspirated 4.1-litre DOHC 32-valve V8 producing 266 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. It sends power to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. The Q45 is tuned primarily for relaxed, stable cruising rather than aggressive cornering; steering and suspension deliver competent control, while the Touring Q45t adds a firmer, electronically controlled dual-mode shock system. A period road test of the Q45t recorded 0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds, so it is adequately quick rather than a true sports sedan. The supplied consumption figure is 16.53 L/100 km; original EPA estimates were 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, equivalent to about 14.7 and 10.7 L/100 km respectively. Premium gasoline is required.

4.1-litre V8 with 266 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque.
Rear-wheel drive, four-speed automatic transmission and limited-slip differential.
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control.
Comfort-led ride quality with more controlled damping on the Q45t.

Technology and Connectivity

The Q45’s technology was sophisticated for 1999 but is naturally dated beside modern luxury cars. There is no factory Bluetooth, USB integration, touchscreen infotainment or contemporary smartphone connectivity. Its appeal lies instead in useful analogue-era convenience technology: a Bose audio system, steering-wheel audio controls, automatic headlights, automatic-dimming mirror and a universal garage-door opener. Navigation was not a listed 1999 feature.

Bose AM/FM audio system with cassette and in-dash CD capability.
Steering-wheel audio controls and power antenna.
Automatic headlights and automatic day/night rear-view mirror.
Analog clock, outside-temperature display and universal garage-door opener.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment includes dual front airbags, front side airbags, four-wheel ABS, traction control, a limited-slip differential and front safety-belt pretensioners. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the applicable 1997-2001 Q45 structure as Marginal in its original moderate-overlap frontal test; buyers should treat that result as an important reminder that this is a pre-modern safety design. Modern crash-avoidance systems such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance were not available.

Dual front airbags and front side airbags.
Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes.
Traction control and rear limited-slip differential.
Front seat-belt pretensioners.

Pricing and Variants

The 1999 Q45 was offered as the standard Q45 sedan and the Q45t Touring sedan. Contemporary pricing records list a base MSRP of approximately $48,200 for the Q45 and $49,900 for the Q45t, before destination, taxes and options. The Touring model added sport-oriented details including 17-inch wheels and electronically controlled dual-mode dampers. Its natural rivals included the 1999 Lexus LS400, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac Seville and Jaguar XJ8. The Infiniti offered substantial equipment and V8 power for its price, but it did not match the resale strength or brand prestige of the Lexus and German alternatives.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Smooth, naturally aspirated V8 power and rear-wheel-drive layout.
Quiet, comfortable highway ride.
Strong standard luxury equipment for a 1999 sedan.
Distinctive and increasingly uncommon Japanese luxury-car character.
Q45t offers more controlled damping for drivers who want firmer responses.

Cons

Premium-fuel V8 running costs are high.
Four-speed automatic feels dated by current standards.
Safety performance and driver assistance trail newer vehicles substantially.
Age-related electronic, suspension and climate-control repairs can be expensive.
Some trim pieces and model-specific parts may be difficult to source.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A trustworthy model-year-specific annual maintenance-cost estimate is not readily verifiable, because condition, mileage and parts availability now matter far more than the original service schedule. Prospective owners should budget conservatively for a 27-year-old luxury V8 and obtain a pre-purchase inspection. Common owner-reported and age-related concerns include alternator failure, ignition-coil or fuel-injector problems that can cause misfires, power-steering pump or steering-rack leaks, air-conditioning compressor faults, and worn suspension components or electronically controlled dampers on Q45t models. Check service records, warning lights, charging voltage, steering feel, air-conditioning operation and suspension condition before purchase.

Rating

Overall rating: 7.0/10. Design: 7.0/10. Comfort: 8.0/10. Performance: 7.0/10. Technology: 4.0/10. Safety: 5.0/10. The Q45 earns its score through comfort, equipment and smooth power, while its outdated technology, older crash performance and potentially costly age-related repairs limit its appeal as an everyday purchase.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly describes the 1999 Q45 as an undervalued long-distance luxury sedan when it has been maintained properly. Enthusiasts often appreciate its V8 smoothness, relaxed ride and rarity, while cautioning that neglected examples can become expensive quickly.

Owners often praise the quiet ride and comfortable front seats on long journeys.
The V8 is generally appreciated for smooth, effortless passing power.
Many consider the standard equipment generous for a late-1990s luxury sedan.
Fuel use and the need for premium gasoline are recurring ownership complaints.
Buyers frequently emphasize maintenance history, specialist knowledge and parts availability.

Best Cars in This Category

1999 Lexus LS400
1999 BMW 540i
1999 Mercedes-Benz E430
1999 Cadillac Seville STS
1999 Jaguar XJ8

Summary

The 1999 Infiniti Q45 suits a patient buyer seeking a characterful, well-equipped Japanese luxury sedan with rear-wheel-drive V8 refinement. It is most appealing as a carefully inspected enthusiast purchase or comfortable occasional cruiser, not as a low-cost commuter. A documented service history is more valuable than a low purchase price: a well-kept Q45 can feel special and serene, while a neglected example can quickly erase its apparent value through premium-fuel and repair costs.