2008 Infiniti M45 - Review

The FM platform, like the perennial Ward’s 10-Best-winning VQ engine, has been one of Nissan’s true hits. Supporting innumerable models from crossovers to sports coupes to sedans and more, the front-midship chassis has proven a winner in nearly every vehicle it touched. But it’s going on seven years old now, and that’s beginning to show through. The Infiniti M45 is the largest of the sedans based on the platform, and the Sport variant, badged with a red ‘S’, is the most driver-focused version of the M45, so it’d be reasonable to think this was the best car you could buy on the FM platform. But you’d be wrong.

Styling and Exterior
The car’s exterior aesthetics aren’t all that impressive, though it is certainly not ugly. It’s beginning to look a bit dated in addition to its plainness, however. Despite the aging looks, the overall first impression the car makes is good, especially upon slipping inside, but whether it’s nearly-sixty-grand-good is another question. We’ll withhold judgment on the price, however, until we’ve dealt with the substantive issues.

Equipment and Features
The M45 has a range of fairly basic equipment that other cars should, but often don’t, have. The backup camera with the animated overlay that shows not just where the car is, but where it’s going to be based on steering input, is a tremendous aid. The simple navigation system that shares the same screen is itself really quite good, despite a display of only average resolution. It finds locations quickly, recalculating routes without a significant wait and generally doing what it’s supposed to without error - something that certainly can’t be said for some highly over-complicated offerings from the competition.

The quality of the leather is a standout element of the interior, and there are literally yards of it. The seats ensconced by this soft and attractive material are as comfortable as they are attractive, and thanks to the sport package, well-enough-bolstered for the aggressive driving the car is likely to see. With four people in each roomy seat and leg room to spare, the M45 is one of those cars with a space-bending effect - it seems bigger inside than out.

In contrast to the high-quality leather and carpets, the plastics are only decent - that carbon-fiber-like trim on the dash looks great for about 10 minutes, then you start to feel and hear its slick and hollow nature. The majority of the primary plastics - those the hands are intended to come into regular contact with - feel solid and robust, but like the high-tech trim, secondary areas could use an upgrade.

The functional elements of the interior also make a great first impression, but closer inspection reveals some cheap-feeling materials, and the large print on most of the too-smooth center console buttons also begins to look cheap after a while, though it’s surely easy to read.

One thing Nissan/Infiniti knows how to do as well as anyone except maybe Honda/Acura and the super-luxury brands is build a steering wheel that Just Feels Right. The weight, balance and motion all feel great in the hand, and though this car isn’t as connected as its 350Z or G35 FM-platform mates, it offers enough feel of what’s happening on the road to prevent that disconnected ‘floating’ sensation larger luxury sedans can be prone to.

The audio system is what you’d expect in a car of this stature, but it’s nothing extraordinary, which is an unfortunate realization to come to considering this is a Bose 5.1-channel surround sound system with a full 14 speakers. It doesn’t present the absorbing, lifelike sound you get from the MKS’s THX-certified (but unbranded) system or Acura’s fabulous DVD-Audio barrage, for example, but it does make full use of the built-in hard drive and MP3/WMA music capabilities. Whether that’s worth the advanced technology package’s $2,800 premium on top of the optional $3,350 standard technology package is a good question, but the majority of the advanced package’s value undoubtedly comes from its set of driving aids.

Advanced features like radar-adaptive cruise control and lane departure prevention system team up to nearly make for an autopilot system. Of course you still wouldn’t want to take a nap or read the morning news, but it could be a lifesaver for those unwilling to stop eating, shaving and texting while driving, and even more so for those around them.

Technical
The powerful 325hp/336lb-ft V8 engine makes freeway mergers, red-light take-offs and the odd country road a blast. It sounds throaty and powerful, too. The way the car takes off when the go-pedal is leveled makes me think it may well be somewhat underrated in terms of power. It feels significantly more powerful than the G35 or even the Mustang GT, for instance, even though those cars are rated within 20hp or so of the M45.