2009 Infiniti M45 Review - the prince of understated luxury and performance

May 14th, 2009 by

peter

Infiniti M

Styling
The design of the M45 reminded me of a huge bullet with windows and doors. Its minimalist styling removes all the clutter to leave an aerodynamically clean rocket ready to break the sound barrier. The broad hood and flared headlight styling hint at the power lurking under the otherwise seemingly peaceful and subdued lines. It could masquerade as a mild-mannered sedan, but those who get behind the wheel know the performance this car delivers. Overall, I would have wished for a little more styling to communicate the advanced features and power this car offers. I’ll chalk it up to Zen styling or design with humility.

Value
Infiniti has priced the M45 appropriately against Lexus, Mercedes and BMW. This car is a contender that brings the full package. The differences between these cars are minimal and selection will largely come down to how each individual prefers the choices the brands have made to balance performance, luxury, reliability and technology. The M45 gets it right and should continue to gain more and more satisfied buyers. At $60K, it is not a steal, but it does deliver sold value for the money.

Infiniti M Aluminum doors, hood and trunk

Conclusion
Infiniti has delivered a superior luxury sedan that achieves the right balance of power and performance, while offering the full gamut of electronic amenities. This is a car that I would prefer to own over Mercedes, BMW or Lexus offerings.