Jalopnik Calls The 2011 Infiniti M "Japan's Jaguar" - Talk About The Kiss Of Death

As we wait for the all-new 2011 Infiniti M to hit showrooms, it seems the boys from Jalopnik got to take a turn behind the wheel. And, they liked it.

The interesting thing is that their road test editor compared it to Japan's Jaguar, which is intriguing because Infiniti has never genuinely been a comparable brand. Nissan's brother has been soul searching for quite some time now.

Additionally, I do not think any brand would want to be compared to Jaguar, which anyone must admit has taken a tumble from its laurels. For instance, there is something about the build quality on an XF that just lacks that solid feeling.

But, back to the M. We have gotten the chance to contact several other writers who have driven the all-new M and compared it to the all-new 2011 BMW 5-Series; they have concluded that it is not even close.

Which begs the question: when all the reviews are said and done, does the all-new M even stand a chance in the ring versus the all-new 5-Series?








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LexSucks - 3/1/2010 10:13:21 AM

-10 Boost

Guess I'll have to see it in person. But if all I had to go by was that pic above? I'd call it an eyesore.

lexusrox123 - 3/1/2010 10:17:52 AM

+8 Boost

I wholeheartedly disagree.

pennfootball - 3/1/2010 10:27:37 AM

-10 Boost

The Infiniti is really more of a grand touring car that got goofier looking in the front, but better looking on the back side. I would compare it to a Hyundai Genesis 4.6 or the Hyundai Aquos and even the Audi A6 if ithe Infiniti has awd as closer competitors then a smaller BMW 5 Series or E-Class.

MSP6 - 3/1/2010 11:07:36 AM

+5 Boost

At least the wheels looks good

Deutschland - 3/1/2010 11:08:01 AM

0 Boost

Infiniti doesn't build cars that have the grace of a Jaguar, the new XJ is a really special car. It just looks so good in person, this infiniti while not terrible doesn't blow you away like the Jaguar does.

dlin - 3/1/2010 11:18:14 AM

-1 Boost

Since Infiniti aims for 400+ hp, why not use an FI 3.5 instead of NA 5.6? This will keep it flexible in keeping up w/ hp_torque war and saves in the long term.

dumpsty - 3/1/2010 11:35:12 AM

+4 Boost

It may be an issue of smoothness of power delivery --- root explanation for such a big engine. I would prefer Infiniti used a turbo/bi-turbo version of the 5.0L V8 they use in the FX50.

dlin - 3/2/2010 4:26:51 PM

+2 Boost

If no one complains about turbo lag of 3.8 V6 in GT-R, it's certainly nothing to make a 420hp 3.5 V6 works the same way.

dlin - 3/1/2010 11:29:31 AM

-2 Boost

I hate some of interior design:

1. Door handle - the designer made a big deal of a functional device.
2. Top of dashboard - did some girl forget her bra?
3. Wood trim - I know what it looks like, no need to make it literal.

America - 3/2/2010 1:29:33 PM

+1 Boost

Hilariously accurate appraisal.

The bustier on the gauge cluster is ridiculous.

From the handle to the wood it is so over-wrought. It screams "Hey everyone! Come see how hard I'm trying!"

bmwdrvr - 3/1/2010 11:57:49 AM

-2 Boost

Yeah maybe Im missing something but fallen off its laurels or not Jaguar is still from brand/prestige standpoint has more cache than an Infiniti any day. Not to mention if you can talk so badly about the XF clearly youve never sat one it has beaten the other cars in its class more than once this just sounds like another rediculous post from uhm look who else. The Jaguar XF beat the current 5, E class, and Audi A6 lol the M would be doing good to be as good as that car with a second generation Im sure they corrected alot and its just foolish to think the M wont even be competition but what is really funny is they compared the M to a Jaguar because of its emphasis on styling and nothing else.....did you even read the article???

bmwdrvr - 3/1/2010 11:58:59 AM

+1 Boost

they said it was a good car, lol at least the article in whole before you post it lol you read the first paragraph and stopped. ha

Agent00R - 3/1/2010 7:51:31 PM

+1 Boost

@BMW

Clearly, you have not sat in an XF and all of its competitors. Having driven the XF/XFR I know first hand it is no match for the competition.

But, to each their own.

bmwdrvr - 3/1/2010 8:20:03 PM

-1 Boost

it doesnt negate the fact that the XF is generally one of the best in class, despite the super important opinion of someone who posts such articles lol

Agent00R - 3/1/2010 9:14:42 PM

+1 Boost

@BMW

Rank what you believe are the tops in the mid-size executive saloon segment.

Very interested in what you believe.

bmwdrvr - 3/2/2010 1:39:12 PM

+1 Boost

and yet the opinion of several legitimate automotive journalists completely contradict yours not to mention customers......foolish conversation....point being next time you post such a rediculous article at least have the gall to read the article your future as a journalist or editor must be bright with such talent....declasse

Agent00R - 3/1/2010 7:52:45 PM

+2 Boost

@Badge

Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and pretend to be you ;)

PerformanceGuy - 3/1/2010 1:15:32 PM

+3 Boost

There are no right or wrong answers in the M versus the 5. It is relative to each person on which one is the better car. At the end of the day, I would choose the M, as I feel it is the better car. Everyone has the right to have their opinion.

JUGNU - 3/1/2010 2:28:10 PM

+4 Boost

So far in photos new M is looking much better than 5 Series to me.

JUGNU

MSP6 - 3/1/2010 8:21:16 PM

-1 Boost

Kinda obvious considering the car is loaded with cheesy stuff such as big chromed grille, chromed door handles, dash-mounted watch and so on... and that you're from UAE.

Monk - 3/1/2010 3:50:27 PM

+4 Boost

He probably said that because the hood/front bumper area looks pretty high up but it's probably not like that in real life.
Infiniti is going for curves!

Monk - 3/1/2010 3:52:41 PM

-1 Boost

The rear looks like a Lexus ES

thetruth01 - 3/1/2010 4:39:53 PM

-2 Boost

A little too swoopy for my tastes, the same problem that plagued the follow up G35, an exceptional car that was also just a little too overstyled.

vman1013 - 3/1/2010 5:40:23 PM

+1 Boost

So it's soulless as well?

DogLb - 3/1/2010 7:31:06 PM

0 Boost

I'm not sure about Japanese Jaguar - I think the writer thought it was a pretty alliteration. I like the Infiniti but would not put it in same group as the M - at least from a cross-shopping standpoint. I can't say I know anyone who drives either brand would consider the other.