Why Can't Infiniti Get It Together And Just Build A Decent Large Sedan?

Infiniti's overhauled M37 V-6 sedan is a brilliant blend of style, personality, comfort and performance. Of course, for $50K or so, it ought to be pretty good. But it's extraordinary even when price is considered.

The M56 V-8 model, though ...

The M56 rear-drive test car earned our unyielding enmity by including an options package that had lane-departure warning. Stray from the very center of the lane and: beep, beep. The lane warning had an off switch, but you had to use it each time you started the car. Infiniti says you can turn off the feature permanently using a control accessed by the navigation screen.

We emphasize the aggravation of the lane warning system because it symbolizes a larger issue: an error in presentation, or perhaps simply an irony. The lower-price M37 is such a well-done, satisfying machine (based on our time in a preproduction rear-drive model) that the much higher-price, well-optioned M56 seemed overdone, gratuitous, crass.






Concours Weekend Monterey 2010 Photo Gallery

The Quail 2010 Photo Gallery

Concorso Italiano 2010 Photo Gallery

2011 Saab 9-5 Photo Gallery

Mini Takes The States Rally Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries

If you want to see your photos running on our homepage photo ticker, be sure to upload your photos on the go by sending them to Mobile@AutoSpies.com

Share on Facebook

Read Article

SHOWTIME - 8/16/2010 9:51:00 AM

+19 Boost

dumb review

LACMAN - 8/16/2010 10:12:39 AM

-19 Boost

I know they arent in the same class but why does the Maxima look better than this car?

0to60 - 8/16/2010 11:25:27 AM

+16 Boost

obviously you havent seen this car up close. SWEeeeeeeeeeeeet! Pics do no justice

222max - 8/16/2010 10:42:49 AM

+17 Boost

Here we go again with the silly headlines that have little to nothing to do with the linked article.

dlin - 8/16/2010 11:18:09 AM

+9 Boost

From USA Today? LOL

IVANURI97 - 8/16/2010 11:33:04 AM

+9 Boost

The USA Today reviews are the worst! He only likes most Toyota/Lexus and BMW products. He is the worst reviewer of cars, I don't know how he has this job! Never a fair and balanced article. The Infiniti M is a beautiful car. I test drove a M37x and think it is just beautiful, a nice ride, very roomy, and overall a great car!

dlin - 8/16/2010 3:12:25 PM

+4 Boost

Agreed. Just sat in M when having dealer working on my G. Nice material to touch and very solid. Infiniti is finally there. Now if they can do that on next G......

Larrybel2000 - 8/16/2010 11:43:50 AM

-6 Boost

To many silly options. Someone is going to get into a serious wreck when they want to wave to some friends and are looking for the wave button.

Larry B.
Key West.

M35MT - 8/16/2010 12:30:53 PM

+3 Boost

Actually, the Q45 was decent (when launched in 2001 as 2002 model) had features other cars didnt have, at the time, it's 340hp 4.5L V8 took it 60 faster or as fast as the competition and IMO (IMO!!) it looked great.

Why the fail? Marketing.

bmwdrvr - 8/16/2010 12:32:37 PM

+4 Boost

This is the 2nd trash article youve put together about the Infiniti M and again you trash the car and use an article as reference that doesnt do the same. The article states no where its a bad car, or less than decent its just he clearly didnt like somethings about or need a 400+hp midsize sedan. If your going to reference articles at least qualify the fact that those rediculous headlines you come up with are YOUR OWN.....

speed123 - 8/16/2010 1:11:04 PM

+10 Boost

According to sales, it is a good large sedan, good enough to be in the top 3. So the title of this article is pathetic!

Need4Speed - 8/16/2010 2:30:52 PM

+8 Boost

I admit I'm not a fan of Japanese cars in general...that's my personal choice...but I happen to think the M37 is a very good car.

rom64 - 8/16/2010 7:40:35 PM

+3 Boost

I'll buy this car over a Lexus ES, GS, heck even an LS any day.

rxh8me9000 - 8/16/2010 8:18:00 PM

-1 Boost

God forbid you have to press a few buttons to turn it off permanately. We have become so lazy and spoiled that its insane. As cars begin having more and more technology,people get more lazy. We shouldn't need a car to park itself while massaging your balls in the process. Next thing you know there will be a car that satisfies a woman as shes driving,eliminating the need for a man!

infiniti_G35c - 8/16/2010 8:40:28 PM

+4 Boost

I dont mind quabbling over there not being a permanent "off" for Lane Departure, but by no means does said issue make the M an "indecent" vehicle.

As for the author of the article: How can the M37 be the right balance, yet the M56 falls short? A V8 option in this class of vehicle is mandatory. Does that then make the BMW 550 & E550 redundant and invalid? I think not.

As a flagship, I think the Infiniti M56 does a might fine job.

als723 - 8/17/2010 12:45:18 PM

+3 Boost

This article sucks, did a 7 year old write it?

Neverfollow - 8/17/2010 1:43:42 PM

+1 Boost

Because that particular segment of the market isn't big enough to saturate with another one that's why! They'd never recoup the investment it would take to go up against the Germans or even Lexus for that matter. In order to get anyone's attention, it would have to sell for thousands less than the others (which is what Lexus did years ago) to establish itself. Not very smart in these tough economic times.

knowitall1985 - 8/17/2010 6:00:15 PM

-1 Boost

They don't have the money. It would take a couple billion to develop a world class sedan. They would never get a return on that investment. They need to stay right where they are.