EDMUNDS.COM 2004 INFINITI M45
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
A capable Japanese sedan that makes a worthwhile alternative to Germany''s midsize stalwarts.
Pros
Brawny V8 engine, capable handling, plenty of luxury features, reasonable price.
Cons
Limited rear-seat legroom and trunk space, complicated center stack controls.
What''s New for 2004
Infiniti has moved the CD changer from the glovebox to the dash. Several of last year''s options are standard for 2004, including heated outside mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink and compass, two-position memory for the driver seat, a tire-pressure monitoring system and a full-size spare tire. The navigation system (with voice recognition technology) is now available as a stand-alone option.
Overview
Introduction:
A performance-oriented rear-wheel-drive sedan, the M45 is positioned between the flagship Q45 -- with which it shares many major powertrain components, including the highly acclaimed 4.5-liter V8 engine -- and the Infiniti G35 sport sedan. The M45 comes standard with class-leading V8 performance and a long list of amenities, as well as a price on par with competitors'' six-cylinder models. On the outside it''s about the same size as the Q but offers somewhat less interior room (think of it as a midsize luxury sedan) and feature content, and happily, more in the way of performance. With exterior styling identical to that of its Japanese market equivalent, the Gloria, and similar to that of the Cadillac DeVille, the M is unlikely to offend upon a first sighting -- or evoke a strong reaction of any kind. Certainly, the powertrain offers much to like. Mash the accelerator pedal and witness the soundless awakening of the sedan''s 32-valve DOHC 4.5-liter V8, which, as in the Q45, puts out 340 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 333 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. A five-speed automatic with automanual capability is standard. Zero to 60 mph takes about 6.4 seconds, which is certainly fast, but not amazingly so for a V8-powered performance sedan. The M tends to feel a bit soft off the line, but power builds quickly as engine rpm climb, and most buyers will have no complaints. Upon reaching winding two-lane stretches of roads, drivers will immediately note the M45''s capable handling. While the Q45 is a cruiser replete with a comforting ride and light steering, the M really could be called sporting. It also rides on a much firmer version of the Q''s fully independent front strut/rear multilink suspension. Despite its more athletic personality, the M provides a quiet ride on the highway in keeping with its premium status and price. Although Infiniti markets the M45 as a technologically advanced muscle car, we still find it to be first and foremost a luxury vehicle, including most of the features typically found on high-dollar models. Power-adjustable leather seats and dual-zone automatic climate control come standard, and the sedan can be outfitted with such features as a DVD-based navigation system with voice control, as well as laser-based adaptive cruise control. All of this comes at a price that is thousands of dollars less than the V8 offerings from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. If you can do without the prestige and refinement that comes with German automobile ownership, the M45 is worth a look.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The four-door M45 sedan is offered in a single trim level. Each one is furnished with leather upholstery; real bird''s eye maple accents; a 10-way adjustable driver seat with memory; one-touch up-and-down driver and front-passenger windows; dual-zone automatic climate control; a 225-watt, seven-speaker Bose sound system; an auto-dimming rearview mirror; heated outside mirrors; and HID headlights. Options include a DVD-based navigation system with a 7-inch center stack display (in lieu of the standard 5.8-inch display), voice recognition technology and laser-based intelligent cruise control (when in cruising mode, this system senses vehicles ahead and adjusts your speed to maintain a selected following distance). Among the other extras are climate-controlled seats, a sunroof and satellite radio (either XM or Sirius).
Powertrains and Performance:
While most luxury sedans offer a range of engine choices, the rear-wheel-drive M45 swaggers in with a standard 4.5-liter V8. This is the same V8 as in the Q45 flagship, and puts out 340 hp at 6,000 rpm and 333 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. A five-speed automatic with automanual capability is standard. Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway.
Safety:
The M wears a full set of vented disc brakes, supplemented by ABS and the usual luxury car fare -- Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and BrakeAssist. Infiniti''s VDC stability control system is also standard. All M45 models also feature front-seat side-impact airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags and active head restraints for the front seats.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
The M45''s interior is well appointed, but it suffers from poorly laid-out center stack controls (partially alleviated by auxiliary controls on the steering wheel) and a complicated multifunction interface that bundles climate, stereo and navigation functions. The rear-seat accommodations aren''t very inviting. While the bench provides sufficient cushioning and thigh support, legroom is sparse and the front seat backs would benefit from more padding. Additionally, in spite of the car''s lengthy rear overhang, engineers could carve out only 13.4 cubic feet of trunk capacity.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The M45 has a quiet, taut ride and feels balanced when pushed around corners, though you still get some body roll. A standard set of 18-inch wheels and tires contribute to the effort, as does the steering, which has progressive weighting, such that the wheel offers ample amounts of heft as speeds increase. While we''re not prepared to call the M45 the end-all sport sedan in its price range, buyers who find the pricey V8 versions of the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Jaguar S-Type and Mercedes-Benz E-Class out of comfortable reach may appreciate the value this Infiniti offers.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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