Luxury cars are the dream for many drivers. Their combination of premium looks and high-performance engineering puts them head and shoulders above other vehicles in almost every area, with one major exception: reliability.

It’s an unfortunate truth that, despite their appeal, luxury vehicles are more prone to unexpected component failure. To make matters worse, these high-spec parts are also much pricier to repair or replace. As Nissan’s luxury division, Infiniti vehicles are one of Japan’s most sought-after exports. But given the reputation of the luxury category, Infiniti owners—or anyone considering their next car purchase—might be curious as to whether they’re expensive to maintain.

To help you understand what to expect, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide, covering average Infiniti repair costs, Infiniti maintenance requirements, and more.

Factors Influencing Maintenance Costs

First, we should look at the key factors influencing maintenance costs for a used or new car. These include:

Vehicle model and trim: Infiniti cars offer several models, from the QX80 SUV to the Q60 coupe. What’s under the hood—as well as the level of trim you’ve opted for—will affect maintenance and repair costs. The more complex and harder to source parts are, the more you can expect to pay.

Combustion, hybrid, or electric engine: To delve a little deeper into what’s under the hood, the type of vehicle you drive will also impact repair costs. More specifically, the upkeep of hybrid and electric vehicles is notoriously expensive, whereas combustion engines are more traditional in construction, and parts are generally easier to acquire.

Vehicle age and mileage: It may seem obvious, but the older the vehicle, the more frequently it will need to be maintained, and the greater the chances of it breaking down. Miles traveled will also affect things, as well-traveled components will be put under a lot of strain and will, therefore, be closer to failure.

Factory warranty status: The status of your factory warranty (also referred to as a manufacturer’s warranty) will also affect how much money you need to spend on upkeep, as this will cover the cost of many maintenance/repairs for a predetermined number of years/miles traveled after purchase.

Parts Availability and Cost

When a component fails, and your car breaks down, you want to be back on the road again quickly. But if parts are scarce, it can mean more time till things are repaired—and a greater cost. After all, when supply is low, and demand is high, prices always rise. Thankfully, however, Infiniti USA has an extremely useful parts resource on their website. Use it to find the specific part you need and get details on pricing, availability, and the nearest approved repair shop or dealership that stocks it.

As a luxury vehicle, you can expect Infiniti parts to be on the more expensive side, especially when compared with like-for-like parts in lower-end cars. Owners of older vehicles are also more likely to struggle with part availability due to older component designs being phased out in favor of newer alternatives.

Average Repair Costs

The cost to maintain and repair an Infiniti model will, of course, depend on several factors, but let’s focus on the average projections. Using stats from our friends at RepairPal, we can put the G25, FX35, and QX80 side by side:

It can also be useful to get a feel for how much specific services and repairs might cost so that you can be prepared for the financial impact should your vehicle need them. For example, here are the estimates for some common services on an Infiniti QX60:

Service Intervals and Maintenance Requirements

Preventative car maintenance is a great way to keep costs down, as parts last longer and will therefore need repairing less frequently. Well-maintained parts also put less strain on the parts that surround them, keeping everything in better running condition. Because of this, following your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule is required to keep warranty coverage active.

To give you an idea of what a maintenance schedule for an Infiniti vehicle looks like, take a look at the schedule for the popular Infiniti QX60:

Extended Warranties and Maintenance Costs

If your factory warranty is no longer active, it’s always recommended that you invest in an extended warranty — or, more specifically, a vehicle service contract from a third-party provider like Endurance.

These can drastically reduce the cost of car ownership by protecting you from bills incurred due to unexpected component failure. In the case of luxury vehicles like Infiniti, certain components can cost hundreds (if not thousands of dollars) to replace. But, for one affordable monthly payment, you can drive with total peace of mind.

In some cases, having an auto protection plan in place can also reduce how much you spend on annual maintenance costs. For example, Endurance’s market-leading Advantage plan is the only one to offer up to $3,500 in regular maintenance, including oil changes. Extra Endurance perks — such as the Elite Benefits package — also increase money-saving potential by adding additional services like up to four tire repairs or replacements annually.

While we’re on the topic, it’s worth pointing out that an extended warranty and auto insurance are two very different kinds of coverage. To explain fully, an extended warranty protects you from car repair bills incurred due to unexpected component failure, while auto insurance protects you from repair bills incurred due to collision, adverse weather, or other incidents. The two work fantastically in tandem, though, so you should take out both for the most efficient defense from unwanted expenses.

Long-Term Ownership Considerations

Getting the keys to your Infiniti will be an amazing moment, but if you plan on owning it for a long time, there are many things to consider if you want to keep more money in your pocket.

For example, it’s important to remember that all cars depreciate in value the longer they’re out on the road. The notoriously low reliability rating of luxury brands is also something to consider, as repairs will likely be more frequent (and more expensive) even if you adhere to recommended maintenance schedules. This will be even more significant once your factory warranty expires, as any future repair bills will be your responsibility — no longer the manufacturer’s.

This advice isn’t to put you off purchasing an Infiniti; it is more to ensure you’re aware of the reality and prepared to handle it. By far, the best thing you can do for your long-term enjoyment of an Infiniti vehicle is to take out sufficient extended warranty coverage, also known as a vehicle service contract, from a trusted provider.

Having a protection plan in place ensures your car is always in the best possible shape and that it’s repaired by professionals with high-quality components if it ever breaks down. It can also potentially increase the value of the vehicle should you come to sell it, as not only can future owners continue to benefit from the program in place, but it’s also a key sign that a car has been well looked after.

Even if nothing ever happens, the peace of mind protection is well worth the price of admission. Knowing someone’s always watching over you while you’re out on the road is sure to give you total driving confidence.

The Best Way to Minimize the Costs of Car Ownership

Whatever the car, maintaining it costs money, and trips to the auto shop can wipe out your wallet. To keep costs to a minimum, drivers across America invest in extended warranties. And Endurance is the country’s top provider.

For almost 20 years, we’ve helped thousands of drivers save money on the cost of unexpected breakdowns. We offer a wide range of auto protection plans designed to cater to an even wider range of drivers, with something for everyday commuters, cars used for commercial purposes, high-mileage vehicles, and even select luxury car models. We’re always willing to be flexible, so if none of our base plans meet your individual needs and budget, our team will be more than happy to customize a plan that ticks the right boxes.

Not only do we offer the nation’s best coverage, but we also throw in the best-added benefits. Every Endurance plan comes with 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage as standard. In addition, new Endurance customers also get a year’s access to Elite Benefits, which adds up to four tire repairs or replacements annually, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1,000 in total loss protection. All you need to do is pay a nominal activation fee; these extra perks are yours to enjoy.

We’re also the direct administrator of our plans, so there are no pesky middlemen to deal with when you want to make a claim. Our award-winning customer service team is always on hand to answer your questions via email and phone, plus the handy Endurance app gives you instant access to all of the most important information whenever you need it. On top of all that, Endurance plans are also fully transferable, which could increase the value of your vehicle should you come to sell it.

Across the web, auto experts agree we’re the best option for extended auto protection in America. Call (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote, or you can also shop online to see your price now!