2009 Infiniti M: Tester's Comments
2009 Infiniti M ▼
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- MSRP: $45,800 - $54,650
- Invoice: $42,286 - $50,439
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2009 Infiniti M. See if the 2009 Infiniti M is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2009 Infiniti M45 |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | Base |
| Arrival Date: | 07/30/2009 |
| Engine: | dohc V8 |
| Bodystyle | 4-door sedan |
| Transmission: | 5-speed automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 52,150 |
| Price as Tested: | 60,765 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 16499 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 17376 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 877 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 49.667 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 17.66 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Advanced Technology Package (Bose 5.1 Studio Surround Sound System w/14 Speakers[Replaces Premium Bose Audio System], Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Cruise Control, Preview Braking), Sport Package (Rear Active Steer, Sport-Tuned Suspension, 19-Inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels, P245/40R19 W-Rated Performance Summer Tires, Sport-Bolstered and Trimmed Front Seats, Sport-Trimmed Steering Wheel and Shifter, Aluminum Trim and Special Accents, Unique Sport Styling), Technology Package (Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with Touchscreen 8-Inch Display, Lane Guidance, and 3-D Building Graphics; XM NavTraffic w/ Real-Time Traffic Information, Bose Premium Audio System with 8 Speakers, 9.3-GB Music Box Hard Drive [Replaces 6-Disc CD Autochanger] and CompactFlash Slot for MP3 and WMA Playback, Interface System for iPod, Infiniti Voice Recognition, Rearview Monitor
From the Back Seat
Don Sikora
The Infiniti M45S is a very enjoyable sport sedan. It's comfortable, well built, and a good ride. The V8 is suitably strong and expensive sounding when pushed, and the ride is surprisingly good even with the Sport Package's 19-inch low-profile tires. It undercuts a BMW 550i significantly on price, but the M doesn't quite manage to stir the soul like the BMW does. Still the big Infiniti deserves a look in this class, especially if you enjoy a path less traveled.
Ed Piotrowski
Though more expensive, Infiniti's V8 M45 is a better car than the V6 M35. The smooth, torquey V8 feels stronger than its 325-hp rating, and the Sport Package doesn't mess up the ride like it does on similarly equipped BMWs. The interior is comfortable, if a bit dull, and I'm not entirely certain its $60,000 price is justified, especially since a redesigned 2011 version is just around the corner. If you can score a nice discount from sticker, this luxury midsize sedan is a nice ride.
Jack Stewart
The V8 is responsive and sounds expensive. The handling is good, but compromised by a tendency to follow ruts. The M45 is very good, but at $60,000 it has some strong competition.
John Biel
To everything this tester liked about the M35x driven earlier in the year the M45 adds a nice dollop of power. Of course, that doesn't come cheap: $6300 more than a rear-drive M35 to start. But even optioned past $60,000, as our test M45 was, it came across as a worthy rival for anything in its class.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2009 Infiniti M35 |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | Base |
| Arrival Date: | 03/19/2009 |
| Engine: | dohc V6 |
| Bodystyle | 4-door sedan |
| Transmission: | 5-speed automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | Yes |
| Base Price: | 47,950 |
| Price as Tested: | 54,915 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 8003 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 8590 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 587 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 34.576 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 16.98 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Advanced Technology Package (Bose 5.1 Studio Surround Sound System w/14 speakers [replaces Premium Bose Audio System], Lane Departure Warning [LDW], Lane Departure Prevention [LDP], Intelligent Cruise Control [ICC], Preview Braking), Technology Package (Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System [w/ Touchscreen, 8-inch Display, Lane Guidance & 3-D Building Graphics]; XM Nav Traffic w/ Real-Time Traffic Information, Bose Premium Audio System w/8 Speakers, 9.3-GB Music Box Hard Drive [replaces 6-CD Autochanger] and CompactFlash Slot for MP3 & WMA Playback, Interface System for iPod, Infiniti Voice Recognition, RearView Monitor)
From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
I found the ride of our M35x tester to be a bit clunky and not-well-composed at times, despite its overall absorbency. I give the nod to BMW and Audi in this area, but the M35 is still a great value for the money.
Ed Piotrowski
Infiniti M is one of those cars that really grew on me the more time I spent with it. This is a fine luxury sport sedan. While it can't quite match the sophisticated ride/handling balance of an Audi A6 or BMW 5-Series, the price of a well-equipped all-wheel drive M35x ends where the Germans start. Skip the Nagging (aka Advanced) Technology Package with its intrusive lane-departure-warning system to save nearly $3000, making this car an even more compelling value.
John Biel
The M35X in this test was a quiet, composed, and highly competent premium midsizer. At $54,915 delivered with a couple of big-ticket option packages, it felt worth every penny and seems a worthy selection in this class.
Tom Appel
Where the compact Infiniti G lineup is snorty, sporty fun, the M sedans are refined, classy rides, and something of a good deal, too. Note that the V6 is enough engine for this car, and that paying extra for the V8-powered M45 is likely unnecessary. Any M is pretty sweet, though.
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