My Search:

Before I get to the actual review, I just want to give some context as to what kind of car I am looking for in terms of needs and preferences. This was you'll have a better basis for how my opinion may or may not fit with your own.

With my lease on my Saab 9-3 up in a few months, I am finally getting out to test drive the myriad of cars that are on my list as possible replacements. The car I purchase (or lease) will be my primary means of getting back and forth to work in L.A. traffic. I don't need to carry many other people in the car, so I just need it to be comfortable up front and enough space in back to hold one (or both) of my kid's car seats in a pinch. This will not be our main family car - that's what we bought our Honda Odyssey for, after all.

I'd like a car with decent performance; although I won't be racing it anytime soon and I do live in southern CA, so fuel economy is somewhat important. As far as handling goes, I'm not the kind of driver who is looking for a car that feels "toss-able" or allows me to induce oversteer. I think the best word to describe the handling characteristics I'm looking for would be "confidence". I want a car that feels like it can handle anything I can throw at it and still stay below its limits. And I'm getting old enough that I'm also willing to give up some handling capability for a little smoother ride.

As far as interior goes, I'd like an upscale interior with comfortable seats with good support. I'd also like some advanced technology available such as Bluetooth and MP3/iPod integration. A navigation system is not necessary, nor is a super upscale 15 speaker sound package. And, as I said before, I don't need a large amount or rear seat space or a voluminous trunk.

The cars that I've selected to test drive for my search can be divided into three groupings:
Compact sport sedans including the Acura TL, Audi A4 3.2, BMW 330i, Infiniti G35, Lexus IS350, Mercedes C350, and the Volvo S60 R. Mid-sized sport sedans such as the Audi A6 3.2, Infiniti M35, and Lexus GS300. And a few other odds and ends such as the Mazda RX-8 and the Subaru Legacy GT (both mostly due to stellar reviews on this site) as well as the Infiniti FX35 (which I think is one of the best looking vehicles on the road). As you can see, I plan on enjoying this go-round of car shopping.

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Trim Levels:

The Infiniti M is available with two engines: a 3.5L V6 (M35) and a 4.5L V8 (M45), both available in a base trim and an optional “Sport” trim that adds upgraded suspension, “Rear Active Steer”, and 19” wheels. The M35 also comes in an “X” trim that adds all-wheel drive. This review covers is based on two test drives of the M35 Sport trim.

Exterior:

Infiniti redesigned the M for 2006 after only 2 production years with the previous design. Obviously, Infiniti did not need the dismal sales of the previous generation M to indicate that the design was flawed. The new design is a huge improvement that takes many queues from Infiniti’s popular G35 sedan. As in the G35, the result is a handsome car that borders on the conservative side. Not unattractive, just nothing to write home about. I prefer the rear styling on the M35 to its G35 sibling, but I think that the G35 has a more dynamic look from the front, mostly due to the design in the headlights.

Interior:

This is where the M distinguishes itself from the G35 – and it needs to, the G35’s interior is not good enough to copy and the M has to compete with the likes of the Audi A6 and Lexus GS, after all. The result is a very well put together interior. Most of the materials feel upscale, although there is the occasional hard plastic here and there. The textured aluminum trim in the M Sport is light-years ahead of what’s in the G35. And the wood trim that comes with the basic trim (and is optional on the Sport) fits the cabin as well. I guess I would describe the M’s interior look as one of upscale-technology. This is not a warm, rich interior that you’ll find in the German competitors. But it works for me. (However, it must be pointed out that my experiences with the M came with immediate proximity to my G35 test drives as well, so that may color my perception a bit).

The seats in the M are comfortable and easily adjusted. Not a very snug, sporty kind of seat but not a bad place to be. The seats are not only heated, but cooled as well. The driving position is good, although I had a little trouble getting the rearview mirror to tilt high enough for my 6'2" frame. As with G35, I would prefer a little meatier grip to the steering wheel.

The center console of the M is divided into three distinct areas. On the bottom, you have some simple controls for the radio along with an analog clock and in-dash CD slot. It’s a very simple, classy design that looks great. The top of the center stack has the bright LCD screen for showing climate, radio, and navigation information. In between these two areas is where all the confusing controls are – a host of 20+ buttons along with a large controller knob that are set at a 40-45 degree angle that, to me, make using them rather awkward to use. Oh, and for a car that has as much technology as the M35, you think there’d be an auxiliary input for an MP3 player.

The instrument cluster is the similar orange hue found in the G35, but these are set down in a more “tubular” fashion than in the G35. I like the look and the way the gauges spike when the car starts. Speaking of starting the car, you do that via a button – the M comes standard with a wireless fob that doesn’t need to come out of your pocket. It’s a nifty idea that’s executed very well. Cabin storage is plentiful, although some of the interior materials for the storage compartments seemed a little cheap to me.

Speaking of nifty ideas, there’s the M’s back-up camera. I love this piece of technology. This isn’t just a camera. It overlays distance markers on the screen so that you can get a sense of how far away things are and it shows another box on the screen that indicates where you are going. In other words, as you turn the wheel it moves the box to show your change in direction. Sweet.

The rear seat space is average for this class of car, as is the trunk. A pass-thru from the trunk to the rear seats is there, but they do not fold.

Performance/Handling:

In this car, Infiniti’s 3.5L V6 makes 280 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The automatic transmission that it’s paired with is the same as in the G35. And as in that car, I found that these two work very well together. The M35 is not a light car, at almost 3900 lbs its only 100 lbs shy of an A6, but this engine moves the M35 quite well.

To me, the M35 didn’t handle like it’s as big as it is. Certainly felt spryer than the A6 I tested. Perhaps the “Rear Active Steer” – where the rear wheels can turn slightly to aid cornering – has something to do with it. Not that this car feels small, but for someone like me who’s used to cars that are more in the G35’s class, it was livable. In fact the turning radius for the M35 is about the same as on the G35 – which is not surprising since its wheelbase is only two inches longer.

Perhaps for this class of car the ride is a little harsh, but compared to what I’m used to in my Saab, it was smooth. Nothing in the road seemed to greatly disturb the M35 as I moved it around town. Braking was also very good.

Fuel Economy:

The M35 is rated at an EPA estimated 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, which puts it towards the bottom in its class.

Reliability:

Reliability ratings on the 2006 Infiniti M have been outstanding. It is rated as one of the most reliable cars in its class.

Safety:

The M35 receives high marks in terms of IIHS front and side crash test ratings. However, The entire Infiniti line-up fared very poorly in the IIHS rear impact tests. No NHTSA results are available.

Summary:

I don’t know if the M35 is good enough to make me want to give up a smaller car, but it comes a lot closer that the Audi A6 did, at least in Sport form. The interior is well executed and the powertrain works very well (as in other Infiniti cars). Overall, a very well-rounded car

Amount Paid (US$): 45000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2005