Infiniti M37 Review

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It's all about the curves.

No, you haven't logged on to Playboy's home page by mistake. But words like "sexy" and "voluptuous" just might get used in the next few paragraphs. Infiniti, the near-luxury division of Nissan that originally tried to sell us cars by showing us pictures of trees and running water in its TV commercials (just no cars), has finally realized that cars, at their best, are tactile, emotional, exciting...and sent the stylists to the drawing board with just that in mind.

A great leap forward? Well, yeah. Click here for a reminder of what last year's Infiniti M looked like. We've gone from mildly upscale vanilla Japanese design to "somebody has a Maserati poster on their bedroom wall" in one model year.

What's great about it is that the beauty isn't only skin deep. If you read the review of last year's M35 linked above, you know we liked it a lot. But the M37 in its gorgeous new wrapper turns up the heat when in motion. Last year's 303 horsepower becomes 330. 262 pound-feet of torque becomes 270.

Wanna know the really hot part?

It's cheaper.

The fabulous curves, the big boost in power...is accompanied by a base price that's $1,700 lower than the last model.

And it gets better mileage. 16 city/22 highway is now 18/26.

Wanna talk more about curves? Fine. It handles them like a slot car. Like it's on rails. Find a twisting, turning road and you'll be grinning like an idiot.

You'll steal glances over your shoulder when you park it and walk away.

Your wife, girlfriend or both will be jealous of this car.

Yes, it's that good.

Wherever Infiniti found the $1700 to cut, it wasn't the interior. Better than ever, with virtually everything standard at $46,250. Our tester had exactly four options: The trunk mat, trunk net and first aid kit ($195), illuminated kick plates ($350), the Sport package (which swaps the standard 18 inch alloys for 20-inchers, and adds sport suspension, sport brakes, paddle shifters, 4-wheel active steer, plus sport seats, steering wheel and shift knob) for $3,650, and the Premium Package (hard drive Nav sysstem, color touch-screen, XM NavTraffic and NavWeather, Zagat Survey restaurant reviews, voice recognition, an upgraded Bose 10-speaker audio system, with Bluetooth streaming audio and a 9.3 GB hard drive to store your music, climate controlled fron seats and a heated steering wheel) for $3,350. Add $865 for destination charges and the total is $54,660....$255 less than the similarly loaded (but less powerful and less beautiful) 2010 model.

Sure, the bottom line is a bargain only in relative terms. But drive it. Then tell me you don't want one.

Post Title → Infiniti M37 Review

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Infiniti | super speed cars

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The Infiniti FX Line | super speed cars of performance crossovers might already be one of the rarest and best equipped cars in its class but this has not stopped customers demanding an even more exclusive version. Infiniti is responding with very special, limited production versions of the FX37S and FX50S to be called, simply, the FX Limited Edition.
The FX Limited Edition will be rare indeed. Availability has been strictly limited to just 100 units across Western Europe, of which only 18 will be coming to the UK

Infiniti today confirmed that its first production hybrid vehicle will be part of the recently announced line of 2011 Infiniti M luxury performance sedans, which are scheduled to go on sale in spring 2010 at Infiniti dealers nationwide. The Infiniti M35 hybrid is expected to arrive about 12 months later as a 2012 model. It is Infiniti’s first hybrid in its 20-year existence, as well as the cleanest and most economical car in Infiniti’s history.

A more dynamic look and revised interior, with state-of-the-art infotainment technology available, take the Infiniti G37 Saloon into a new decade with more presence and quality than ever. Announced today, the 2010 version of Infiniti’s lead-in sports model for Europe remains just as potent, poised and well equipped as before, but benefits from enhancements that bring it into line with other Infiniti models as well as responding to feedback from Infiniti owners.
The changes are subtle but effective – as one glance at the sharper new front-end styling reveals

The very unjapanese scale of the Essence yields a more Nippon-influenced interior for two, including an attractive driver-oriented “cocoon” that features a flat-bottomed steering wheel, hand-painted wood designed to look like Japanese laquerware and eccentricities like asymmetrical seat seams that mimic the way ‘Japanese men and women tie their kimonos.” Presumably, said kimonos fit nicely in the bespoke Louis Vuitton luggage (made more accessible via a powered trunk shelf).

 Yes and no. A lot of the G37’s basics are 350Z-derived, but this is far more than just badge engineering – the Infiniti is a very different beast to the Nissan it’s based on. But to fully understand this car, first we need some context. In America, Infiniti is Nissan’s premium off-shoot, much like Lexus is to Toyota. Late in 2008, the Infiniti brand will be gradually rolled out across the UK with a four-model line-up: G saloon, this G coupe, EX35 (think BMW X3) and the X5-rivaling FX45

Post Title → Infiniti | super speed cars

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Infiniti G37 To Get Mercedes Engine

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TireKicker regulars know we love us some Infiniti G37. Now , the Renault-Nissan-Daimler alliance may mean Mercedes-Benz power under the hood...an inline four to help with economy and emissions. 

Full story at Automotive News. 

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Nissan Investigating Driveshaft Problems In Its Nissan and Infiniti Trucks And SUVs

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Just days after Toyota announced a recall of its Tacoma pickups for a driveshaft component flaw, Nissan is investigating a similar flaw and what to do about it.

TheDetroitBureau.com reports that both automakers use the same supplier, Dana...and that appears to be the source of the problem, which Toyota said could cause the driveshaft to crack, separate and fall...resulting in a loss of control of the truck....but Nissan says won't.

Post Title → Nissan Investigating Driveshaft Problems In Its Nissan and Infiniti Trucks And SUVs

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Infiniti M35 Review

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Picture Paul Newman and Robert Redford in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Fast-forward to the pursuit scene, where they're looking over their shoulders at the posse on their tail and wondering aloud:



That's the mental image I get every time Infiniti ups the ante with one of its sport sedans. Infiniti's the posse. BMW is Butch and/or Sundance.

For a car company that looked like odd man out 20 years ago as Lexus conquered luxury and Acura virtually invented near-luxury, these guys have put together one impressive mission statement:

Aim for the blue-and white propeller.

As with the G37 and its target, the 3-series, the M35 isn't quite a match for the 5-series...but the gap closes each time around. And if you're not obsessing about BMW the way Infiniti does, you may find this one wins your car-buying dollar (okay, 47,950 of them before options) on its own.

303 horsepower, 262 pounds per foot of torque. A 5-speed automatic with Drive Sport mode. 18-inch alloys. Dual exhausts with quad chrome finishers.

And while it's fairly dripping in tech (two different packages as options...the Technology Package and the Advanced Technology Package...were on this car, adding surround sound, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, intelligent cruise control, navigation with XM NavTraffic, voice recognition, rear view camera and a 9.3 gig hard drive for your music), it's nowhere near as obtrusive and overwhelming as the same pieces were in the FX 35 crossover. Perhaps its because the M35 has such a strong presence as a car before all the tech gets laid on.

Even with the as-tested sticker reading $54,915 and the EPA estimates far from stellar at 16 city/22 highway, I'd have a hard time talking myself out of recommending this to drivers looking for a strong, capable midsize sport sedan.

Post Title → Infiniti M35 Review

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Infiniti G-37 Car Pictures

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The press says the G37 range is excellent, and often a better deal than the BMW.



The 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe is an updated version of the G35 coupe that put Infiniti on the map as a serious player in the market for premium sporting coupes. There is a new engine, new front suspension, updated style inside and outside, and slightly altered dimensions.



2009 Infiniti G37 Class 3 high-end of 17 midsize cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 40 published reviews and test drives of the Infiniti G37, and our analysis of reliability and data security.



Both coupe and sedan are available in a dizzying array of finishes, including G37, G37 Journey, G37S Sport 6MT and G37x AWD. Sport and travel models with four-wheel active steering system that improves handling. The G37 is convertible into one rear trim

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Infiniti G37 Sedan AWD Review

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It's been three years since my last seat time in an Infiniti G sedan. It was the G35 then, and it was my mode of transportation for an up-on-Monday, back-on-Wednesday run to Las Vegas (280 miles each way) for a broadcasting convention.

Powerful, great handling, luxurious without being soft. I loved it.

What's the difference between 2006 and 2009? In a word, more.

Certainly more power. 280 horses back then have been bumped to 328 now...nearly 50 more.

More gears. The G35 I drove had a six-speed manual. The G37 I handed back a couple of weeks ago had a seven-speed automatic...which bumps EPA estimated fuel economy up to 18 city/25 highway.

More features...including stuff Infiniti was probably just beginning to dream about in early '06...like the Infiniti Studio on Wheels premium audio system by Bose with 24-bit Burr Brown DAC and Driver's Audio Stage with 10 speakers.

That's how they list it on the window sticker. It's part of the Premium Package. All I know is it sounded fabulous. And it includes a 9.3 gigabyte Music Box hard drive so all your CDs can come with you and stay in your house at the same time.

Oh, yeah...and genuine African Rosewood trim. $550. An option.

Truth be told, the Infiniti stayed just this side of triggering my "too much tech" alarm...and I have a suspicion that I'd like the $35,750 base G37 AWD (or the $33,250 2-wheel drive) sedan just as much, if not more than I did the $43,015 fully loaded one. But this one is a solid contender in the sport sedan wars...and even if it never becomes the BMW 3-series killer some are hoping for, it will be fun and rewarding to drive it as it tries.

Post Title → Infiniti G37 Sedan AWD Review

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Nissan Murano Review

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Murano. The name conjures up images of the sleek and stylish. And Nissan's mid-size crossover SUV has lived up to that name.

For 2009, Murano gets a makeover. That's tricky stuff. New is not always better. But Nissan did it right...keeping everything good about the first-generation Murano and making it better.

Fit and finish, materials and appointments and overall luxury are dialed up, noise, vibration and harshness (never a problem in the first place) are dialed even further down.

Styling changes are subtle enough that you really need to park an '09 next to an '08 to get the full effect...but once you do, there's no way you'd choose the older one.

And the good news (especially in this economy)is price: $27,930 base for the S model I drove (hey, good cloth seats beat mediocre leather ones every time), $29,225 as tested (Only option: The Convenience Package...privacy glass, roof rails, a retractable cargo cover and vehicle security system for $550) including destination charges.

And mileage isn't bad for this type of vehicle, either. The EPA says 18 city/23 highway.

A few years ago, something this nice would have been branded an Infiniti instead of a Nissan. The Murano shows just how far Nissan has come...freeing Infiniti to move even farther up the ladder.

Post Title → Nissan Murano Review

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Infiniti QX56 Review

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The folly of the "bigger is better" mantra as regards SUVs gets laid on Detroit's doorstep, but it's worth remembering that the Japanese drank that particular batch of Kool-Aid, too (save Honda).

The Infiniti QX56 is a whopper...built on the platform for the Nissan Titan pickup and Armada SUV. In fact, the QX56 is really just an upscale Armada.

So what is it besides huge? Well, fairly powerful (320 horsepower from a 5.6 liter
V8), well-equipped (20-inch wheels, power and heated everything, Bluetooth, a 12-speaker Bose audio system with hard drive and flash drive slot) and thirsty...at an EPA estimated 12 city/17 highway miles per gallon (see "fairly powerful" for the reason why.

As is, the QX56 starts at $58,150, but Nissan's test fleet folks ordered this one up with a Technology Package (Intelligent Cruise Control and Front Sonar) and the Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System (a DVD player for the folks in back). That, with delivery, brings the price up to $6,185.

I can't sit here and bag on any one part of the QX56. Infiniti succeeded in building the vehicle they wanted to build. But times have changed...and anything that feels bigger and more ostentatious than either an Escalade or Navigator is likely to be a tough sell for the forseeable future.

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Infiniti EX35 Review

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Now this is more like it. After reviewing the drowning-in-too-much-tech FX35 and its gonzo-powered big sister, the FX50, the Infiniti EX35 is a comforting bowl of just right.

The EX35 is smaller (think Nissan Murano), making it a much more capable handling vehicle. Nimble is the right word here. And, it being an Infiniti, power is not in short supply. In fact, the 297 horsepower here is a better power-to-weight deal than the 303 in the FX35.

Luxury abounds in this smaller package, as well, with everything most people could ask for (automatic, ABS, moonroof, leather, power folding rear seats, an audio system with XM Satellite Radio and more) standard at just $35,450.

But this is an Infiniti...a car company all about shattering expectations. And with the EX, they manage not to cross the line into excess. The tester I drove had three options: A Premium Package (upgrading the audio to a Bose system with 11 speakers, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and mirrors, rear air, memory seats and steering column and Bluetooth) for $2,150...the Luxe Style Package (trading the stock 17 inch wheels for 18s and an adaptive front lighting system) for $1,250 and the Navigation Package (navigation, a 9.3 gig music jukebox and a rear view camera and monitor) for $2,150.

Bottom line with delivery charges stays under $42,000...and mileage isn't too shabby, either...17 city/24 highway.

The EX is a strong package...and it belongs on your Christmas list.

Post Title → Infiniti EX35 Review

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Infiniti FX 35 AWD Review

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Last week, my wife and kids and I went out for a burger. I hadn't eaten all day, so I was hungry and probably not thinking really clearly. I forgot to ask for cheese, and when the burger landed in front of me, I didn't even bother to put the condiments on...I just picked it up and ate.

Best thing I'd ever done. I could actually taste the burger. It was terrific...the meat itself, the seasonings, the smoky grill taste.

Afterwards, we walked outside and got in the Infiniti FX35. And I wished I could have ordered it plain. Somewhere under all the tech is probably a really good car.

The FX35 is the less-outrageous sister to the FX50 that I reviewed in August, packing only 303 horsepower (only?) through a seven-speed automatic transmission, and returning a reasonable (for this kind of vehicle) EPA estimated 16 city/21 highway miles per gallon.

It's rarely a good sign when the owner's manual for a car doesn't fit in the glove compartment. Infiniti had to create a special space for it on the inside right rear wheel well back in the cargo area. Stretch before you try to lift it. Some mental exercise (a crossword, maybe?) may be a good idea before you tackle all the acronyms within: IBA, FCW, LDW, LDP, DCA, AABS, VDC, TCS, BA, TPMS.....

Now, a lot of that tech is good stuff...but somehow, in the FX, it's obtrusive.

The base FX35 AWD is $42,350 and comes with everything you could want. But the tester took it up several notches. First, the Premium Package ($2,350), adding climate-controlled front seats, Bluetooth (that should have been standard) iPod interface, memory driver's seat, power tilt/telescope steering column, paddle shifters, quilted-leather seats, aluminum roof rails (bad for aerodynamics and mileage) and a cargo cover and cargo net.

But wait...there's more:

The Navigation Package ($2,850), with navigation (um..yeah), Around View Monitor (four cameras placed strategically around the car as a parking aid), voice recognition for audio and navigation, XM NavTraffic, a 9.3 gig hard-drive music jukebox, a single CD slot in the dash, and front and rear sonar.

And then...

The Technology Package (you mean we didn't have any already?), in which $2,900 buys Intelligent Brake Assist with Front Collision Warning System (keep your eyes on the road and push harder on the brake), Lane Departure Prevention System (in which the cameras on the sides of the car, underneath the outside mirrors, look for the white lines on the road and sound alarms if you get too close to them), Lane Departure Warning System (which warns you when cars are too close....like, oh, at any stop light)...pre-crash seat belts, intelligent cruise control with Distance Control Assist (always fun on a left curve when you're in the left lane and a semi 10 car-lengths ahead in the right lane begins the curve and your car thinks it's in your lane and begins braking hard) and rain-sensing front windshield wipers.

If you've lost count, the price is now $51,315...$9,000 more than when we started and only $5,000 less than the base price of an FX50, which has all but the Technology Package standard.

Like I said, somewhere under all that is probably a really good car. I'd like the next one plain, please.

Post Title → Infiniti FX 35 AWD Review

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Infiniti M35 Review

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Some guys like convertibles. Some like coupes. I like 'em all, but I have a strong appreciation for sedans. Not only do you get practicality, you also get the most structural rigidity...which translates into security, handling and feedback.

Infiniti's M35 is a jewel, pure and simple. After 15 years of an automotive identity crisis, Nissan's upscale division has found its place in life the past 5 years or so...making Acura salesmen work harder. A silky smooth 275-horsepower 3.5 liter V6 with a five-speed automatic move the M35 with authority...and still deliver 16 city MPG and 23 highway, according to the EPA.

If you bought one without options, it would cost $43,050 and you'd be getting an exceptionally well-equipped car. But step up to the option list and the car gets better. $1,650 buys a sport package with rear active steering, a sport-tuned suspension, alumnium trim and 19 inch wheels. The Technology Package is $3,350 and stirs in a Hard Drive Navigation System with touchscreen, a lane guidance system to tell you when you're drifting over the lines on the pavement, XM NavTraffic (providing real-time traffic information on the nav screen), a rear view camera, voice recognition, an interface system for iPod and a 9.3 gigabyte hard drive for storing your favorite music.

Total price: $48,765. Read the sticker first and maybe you'll say "ouch." Drive the car and you'll be figuring out your loan payments within minutes.

Post Title → Infiniti M35 Review

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