Rating **** 4/5

The Infiniti brand of cars has now been selling in the United States for 21 years. Although not as impressive as the other luxury brands, Infiniti cars never fall short of being impressive. The brand continually tries to redefine itself, even as it has shed its Nissan dependency and carved a niche for itself. The new Infiniti M37 and M56 shall provide stiff competition to rivals such as Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and BMW. Infiniti has undergone a major redesign of their M series vehicles since 2006, and the final product has been exhilarating.

Pros

• Great new design and one of the most luxurious interiors.
• Seven-speed Automatic Transmission as compared to its rival’s six-speed.
• Good interior space, large trunk space and the car weighs less than 4000 pounds.
• A good option package that suits every need.

Cons

• The interior tends to be a bit noisy.
• Very ordinary mileage.
• The instrument panel is cluttered with too many gadgets.
• Unimpressive and complicated safety measures.

Options Available

Styling

The styling of both these models is inspired by the Infiniti Essence concept. The new 2011 Infiniti M series gets a major redesign in its exterior looks, with deeply sculpted fenders, sportier proportions and a low front end. All these factors combine to lend a more attractive look to the car. The car now has a more aggressive stance, with a long hood and short deck. Overall, it is in better shape than the earlier Infiniti versions. The car comes with new tail lamps and head lamps, along with a low-slung grille.

The interior is among the most spacious in its category, although Infiniti has supposedly reduced the interior volume by 1.6 cubic feet. There is ample cargo space. The interiors are designed with lining of wood trims, new switches and new lighting system.

Standard Features

1. 7-speed automatic transmission with Infiniti Drive Mode Selector- Four modes are available in total (Eco, Standard, Sport and Snow).
2. Rear view monitor.
3. Expanded Intelligent Key Memory- now includes controls for navigation, audio and climate control settings, in addition to the already present seat, side view mirror and steering wheel controls.
4. Bi-Xenon Headlights
5. Power-folding outside mirrors
6. USB Port for iPod
7. Active Noise Control

Performance

The car does well when it comes to performance. The 0-60 miles per hour barrier is crossed in 5 to 5.5 seconds. The top speed is 140-150 mph (governor limited). The M37 is powered by a 3.7-L DOHC VVEL V6 making 330 hp and delivering 270 lb-ft of torque. The M56 gets a brand new 5.6-L DOHC VVEL Direct-Injected V8 engine that provides 420 hp with a maximum torque of 417 lb-ft. The acceleration is great, although not exceptionally well as compared to its rivals.

Drive

The earlier Infiniti customers regularly complained about the uncomfortable riding experience. Infiniti has taken proper care of this issue with both the new M series models. The suspension is a lot better than what it used to be. The car design has been adjusted for greater corner cutting and improved driving control. While these changes have made the large sedan move around in a controlled way, it has also ensured that the ride quality remains as comfortable as possible- with minimum vibration. The steering is good, and an optional four-wheel steering system is available to further enhance its quality. The most pleasant driving experience is on the M37 with the base 18-inch wheels.

Luxury features

Apart from the standard features like USB port, CD player, cruise control and such, there are some option packages available to cater to every need. First, there is the $3,350 Premium Package (standard on the M56, optional on the M37) which gives you navigation with 8-inch VGA color touch screen, a Bose Audio System with 10 speakers and 2 channels, and heated/cooled front seats. Next is the Deluxe Touring Package which adds features like the upgraded Bose Surround Sound System, power rear sunshade and Forest Air climate control system. The technology package arms your car with the Intelligent Cruise Control with Distance Control Assist, Intelligent Brake Assist, Blind Spot Intervention, Active Trace Control, Eco Pedal and Adaptive Front Lighting System.

Overall

The Infiniti M37 and M56 are both excellent new models with good performance, styling, engineering, design and overall luxury appeal. They are poised to give major competition to their rivals and are a great improvement over the earlier models.

Primary Competitors

• Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan
• Jaguar XF
• Audi E6 Sedan
• Lexus GS350/ GS460
• BMW 5-Series Sedan