1993-1997 Infiniti J30: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1993-1997 Infiniti J30 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Acceleration
- Antilock brakes
- Steering/handling
Cons
- Fuel economy
- Passenger and cargo room
- Automatic-transmission performance
Vehicle Highlights
Introduced as an early 1993 model, the midpriced rear-drive 4-door sedan from Nissan's luxury division occupied a niche between the big Q45 and the entry-level G20. Sole powertrain was a dual-camshaft, 210-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. Driver- and passenger-side airbags were standard, as was all-disc antilock braking. An optional Touring package added Super HICAS 4-wheel steering, a firmer suspension, rear spoiler, and high-performance tires on forged alloy wheels, giving the car a "J30t" badge on the trunk.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Infiniti J30 Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 41 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1993-1997 Infiniti J30. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1993-1997 Infiniti J30.
Year to Year Changes
1994 Infiniti J30:
Heated front seats became standard this year, and a crimson exterior and black interior became available. Audio tweeters were added to front roof pillars.
1995 Infiniti J30:
A new full-width taillight cluster was installed, with subtle vertical ribbing behind the lens.
1996 Infiniti J30:
Except for new exterior colors, nothing was new for the J30.
1997 Infiniti J30:
Despite $4000 price cuts, sluggish sales caused Infiniti to drop the J30 after 1997.
Our road test for the 1993-1997 Infiniti J30 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1993-1997 Infiniti J30 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1993-1997 Infiniti J30 is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
With a 0-60 mph time under nine seconds, the J30 is competitive among luxury sedans in its price range. On the whole, you get smooth, quiet running (except for an automatic transmission that shifts gears too often at in-town speeds). In hard acceleration, though, the engine gets surprisingly loud. Gas mileage also is somewhat disappointing. We reached 24 mpg in highway driving, but dropped below 16 mpg when traveling through urban areas. Unlike some Japanese luxury sedans, the J30's suspension is firm enough to give plenty of road feel and spirited cornering. Yet, it's supple enough so the ride is never harsh. Handling is a tad more balanced than most front-drive rivals, courtesy of the car's rear-drive layout. The cozy cabin is practical only for four adults, in fact. The combination of transmission hump and narrow interior make the J30 too tight in back for a third adult. Otherwise, the cabin is richly appointed and ergonomics are first-rate. Negative points are few, led by the marginal adult-size head/leg room (especially in back) and a minimal-size trunk.
Value for the Money
A fine car overall, blending luxury extras and a somewhat sporty personality, the J30 simply fails to stand out among luxury 4-doors. All told, it lacks the polish and refinement of such rivals as the front-drive Lexus ES 300.
A fine car overall, blending luxury extras and a somewhat sporty personality, the J30 simply fails to stand out among luxury 4-doors. All told, it lacks the polish and refinement of such rivals as the front-drive Lexus ES 300.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Infiniti J30 Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 41 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Infiniti J30 includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Infiniti J30 .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Audio system:
The Bose amplifier causes interference on cellular phones requiring a filter on the phone-antenna cable. (1993)
Check-engine light:
The check-engine light may come on and indicate a transmission problem. This is due to a faulty throttle position sensor. (1996-97)
Climate control:
The automatic climate control occasionally blows hot air for no apparent reason. There are about five different fixes. (1993)
Rough idle:
Varnish buildup on the throttle body can make throttle difficult to operate smoothly and lead to an unstable idle. (1993-97)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $775 |
| Alternator | $890 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,005 |
| Brakes | $235 |
| Exhaust System | $865 |
| Radiator | $540 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,400 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $260 |
| Universal Joints | $1,170 |
Our price chart for this generation Infiniti J30 details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1997 | |||
| J30 | $3,700-4,400 | $3,000-3,600 | $1,100-1,300 |
| 1996 | |||
| J30 | $3,000-3,700 | $2,300-2,800 | $700-900 |
| 1995 | |||
| J30 | $2,500-3,100 | $1,800-2,300 | $500-700 |
| 1994 | |||
| J30 | $2,100-2,700 | $1,500-1,900 | $400-500 |
| 1993 | |||
| J30 | $1,800-2,300 | $1,200-1,600 | $300 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Infiniti J30 include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 108.7 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 191.3 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 69.7 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 54.7 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3527 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 10.1 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 19.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.7 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.3 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.7 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 30.5 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
All I30 sedans came with the same powertrain: a 3.0-liter V6 engine with dual camshafts, producing 210 horsepower and driving a 4-speed automatic transmission.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc V6 | 3.0 / 181 | 210 | 193 | 4-speed automatic: 18/23 | 4-speed automatic: 20.1 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Infiniti J30 include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1997 J30 |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
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