Your Guide to Infiniti's Naming Scheme

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 12/15/2015 at 23:00 • Filed to: Infiniti

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Hello all! I noticed that everyone has been upset with Infiniti ever since they renamed most of their models. I thought I would go ahead and explain the system, that way it’s as easy as 1-2-4!

(Did you know the Infiniti logo isn’t just a path heading towards an unreachable horizon, it’s also a 3D Pac-man about to dine “IN.” Get it?)

Why did Infiniti get rid of the old names? Well that’s simple! While the G35 and G37 were super easy to remember, there was an issue with the SUV lineup. You see Lexus had (obviously in ascending order) the upcoming NX, RX, GX, and LX while Infiniti had the EX, FX, JX, and QX. Now the problem here is that when shopping for SUVs, regular people would try to search “ FX SUV” they would get a message from Google asking, “did you mean: Lexus RX?” Of course every prospective buyer would say, “Why yes Google, that is exactly what I meant!” Thus is the story of how the Lexus RX became the best selling luxury crossover in the history of the universe. So Infiniti just decided to call everything QX because that bionic hippo of an SUV is unfortunately easy to remember.

The hardest part is over now! Let’s get into the always consistent and brutally apparent naming system that is the Infiniti Q and QX lines! Here are the rules:

1. Cars are Qs

2. Crossovers are called QX. The X stands for “Crossover” and the Q is because they’re cars too! We’re halfway done!!

3. After the letters comes a two digit number that is divisible by ten. This is because Infiniti wasnt founded in Detroit, so they must obey the President of Europe and Other Places’ laws which forces Infiniti to use the metric system like rock chucking prehistoric Eurolanders back in 1491. That’s why all the Americans left Europe the following year.

4. If the number is larger then the model’s base price is higher!

Wow, that’s only four rules! Even my good-for-nothing alcoholic father would have come up with at least five rules before toppling over while calling Ralph Nadar a Baby-Saving Nancy. Let’s look at the lineup!

The Q30 is a subcompact luxury car. The number 30 is a low number compared to 50, 60, or 70, so you know it’s cheaper. However, 30 is still higher than 20 and 10, thus signaling that you still can’t afford it.

The QX30 is the same as the Q30, except with an X for crossover. That’s why you get plastic body cladding standard.

The Q40 was the G37 with a badge that said “Q40.” That’s how they kept it cheaper than the Q50.

There was no QX40 so you’ll have to put plastic around the wheel wells yourself.

The Q50 replaced the G37/Q40, however it was more expensive and had some stuff which is why it was bumped up by 10!

A compact like the Q50 but with body cladding standard. Well it must be the QX50 then. Yeah!

Now that is some kind of sporty looking thing right there. Seems to be a car and looks to be more expensive than a Q50. Bet this is the Q60.

Let’s take a moment and remember our fourth rule: If the number is larger , then the model’s base price is higher . Keep this in mind because...

The QX60 is a three-row crossover, as opposed to some coupe-like crossover that would be much more logical. It would be as if the cars and crossovers corresponded with one another or something, but that would be silly. Instead the QX60 is cheaper to start than the QX70 and therefore receives the lower number....for now, Muhahahah!

Here’s the Q70. It’s well regarded as the car you forgot Infiniti makes. The Q70 also happens to be an executive sedan you can get with a 420hp, 5.6L V8 in either RWD or AWD configuration. When was the last time you cross-shopped this with a 5-series, CTS, or XF? All of a sudden the market for the Hyundai Genesis 5.0 Sedan makes more sense. *hence why it didn’t sell.

Then we hit the crossover that’s to blame for many automotive design abominations. So what if it’s smaller and barely more expensive than the 3-row QX60? That roofline doesn’t come cheap my friend (though that side vent says otherwise).

Currently we are without a Q80, however as long as it’s a car that starts at a higher price than the Q70, the system works.

I already placed a picture of the QX80 in this post, no need for another one. This behemoth is pretty much an Escalade for that person who remembers being nominated for Prom Queen but just wasn’t quite popular enough to win the dance with that super hunk Devin Sanders. However she did marry his tudor, so way to go! You were always smarter and way prettier than that skank Becky anyways!

There is your easy guide for Infiniti’s nomenclature system. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go see if I can find that skank Becky on instagram and totally not follow her.

Amoore100 > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:08

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Wobbles the Mind indeed...

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:09

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We can all thank that guy from Audi for changing everything

Mind blown. The only thing I knew before is the QXs were the pathfinders for ballers.

TheHondaBro > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:19

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QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/15/2015 at 23:22

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“We can all thank that guy from Audi for changing everything”

I think his name was Nichey de ReeferSneezin

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:23

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“I’m going to go see if I can find that skank Becky on instagram and totally not follower her.”

Pictures or you didn’t find her!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:27

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However, 30 is still higher than 20 and 10, thus signaling that you still can’t afford it.

Stay out of my bank statements, bro

Nibby > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:27

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Own one and you will understand.

Nibby > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/15/2015 at 23:28

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Don’t forget the I30 and J30... I30 was essentially a rebranded Maxima and the J30 was kind of an oddball Altima.

J30

And lest we forget the M30...

dogisbadob > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:28

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I wish Infiniti used the JDM names over here

Infiniti Primera
Infiniti Skyline, and the Infiniti Skyline GT-R, which would just use the Q50/Q60 bodies with all the GTR running gear.
Infiniti Cefiro
Infiniti Gloria
Infiniti President
Infiniti Skyline Crossover
Infiniti Terrano
Infiniti Patrol

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:29

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I was reading an earlier Doug article on the RX that is somehow relevant to this.

“They want a car-based, fuel-sipping V6 model with an indecipherable acronym name that includes at least one letter “X.””

Wobbles the Mind > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 12/15/2015 at 23:33

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I had that article in mind too when I mentioned the RX. Some things just stick for me. Perhaps that’s why they call me a sap! I kid, I kid.

PS9 > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:43

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Here’s the real reason; Infiniti picked Q because it is supposed to be a subtle hat tip to the Human race that they are real. We didn’t get the memo though, and that’s the second time we’ve ignored their light taps on our collective shoulder. The next step is to screw with the environment. That won’t be so easy to ignore, unfortunately for us.

bobkustofawitshz > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:45

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Great post. I hate nomenclature changes as much as anyone, but for all the bitching, it really is rather simple. I also had no idea that the Q30 was even a thing, so thanks? And I LOL’d at “ bionic hippo af an SUV ”... you got that right.

Since I’m a fan of big luxury cars, I did know about the Q70... actually spent some time poking around one at last year’s auto show. It’s really nice. Fun fact: it comes in long wheelbase too!

Chariotoflove > Wobbles the Mind 12/15/2015 at 23:45

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Wow, cracker jack investigative journalism! It’s like you out-Orloved Orlove.

Wobbles the Mind > PS9 12/15/2015 at 23:47

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It’s already begun! Al Gore was a diversion! Bababooey bababooey Howard Stern’s...I’m done now.

Wobbles the Mind > Chariotoflove 12/15/2015 at 23:50

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It’s getting rough waiting around for him or Torch to do drunk posts. I have to keep amused until those times!

Steve in Manhattan > Wobbles the Mind 12/16/2015 at 00:04

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Am I nuts, or is it amazing that Infiniti still exists? Late 80s. Lexus was invented, and so was Infiniti. The latter was more interesting, but Lexus was ultimately more durable. Mazda never did an upmarket badge, but Honda beat them all to it with Acura. The NSX was sold as a Honda everywhere but here. Can’t they just sell the LS600hL as a top line Toyota? IT WOULD BE THE SAME CAR!

Stop me when I get crazy.

FromCanadaWithLove > TheHondaBro 12/16/2015 at 00:56

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for Michigan > Wobbles the Mind 12/16/2015 at 05:07

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Damn it. I’ll never be able to un-see Pac-Man now.

Thanks, Wobbles.

Wobbles the Mind > Steve in Manhattan 12/16/2015 at 07:04

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“Am I nuts...”

Stop right there! I kid, I kid. You’re exactly right, America likes to separate levels of success so that everyone knows who they’re better than!

B/Xmrrmvr > Wobbles the Mind 12/16/2015 at 10:40

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I thought that it was Mt. Fuji?

Chariotoflove > Wobbles the Mind 12/16/2015 at 10:56

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Well it’s more amusing than checking for Becky’s new posts of her Pekingese. So thanks.

Steve in Manhattan > Wobbles the Mind 12/16/2015 at 23:08

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I suppose that’s the most logical explanation. And the Scion badge - the FR-S is sold as a Toyota everywhere else. Nothing in the Scion lineup to this point would have competed with Toyota’s lineup. They could have just badged the C-car as a Celica - a beloved nameplate - and sold the crap out of it. Ask anyone but a gearhead about Scion, and they’ll look at you like you’re from another planet.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > Wobbles the Mind 12/27/2015 at 10:55

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Space whale.

That One Kid in HS > Wobbles the Mind 12/27/2015 at 15:40

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Bravo

Honestly one of the best thinga Ive read here in a while