Her and His Reviews
February 2012
2012 Infiniti M Hybrid
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate,women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| MSRP: $61,745 | MSRP: $53,700; however, as tested $61,745 |
| Performance | |
| This V6 Direct Response Hybrid is a 3.5 liter engine powering 360 horsepower. This rear wheel drive vehicle sports a 7 speed automatic transmission. This sedan is a powerful and smooth workhorse, lots of get up and go for a hybrid. |
The Hybrid consists of a 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor, providing an output of 360 hp. Infiniti says that because the M35h uses a lithium-ion battery pack, those who drive it will feel strong acceleration that normally is associated with a V-8 engine. You will get to 60 in anywhere from 5.1 to 5.3 seconds. The car has a seven speed automatic, with several settings-Sport, Eco and Snow, and there is a noticeable difference in performance depending on which mode you select. With many cars offering such features you don't notice much of anything at all. Sport mode in the M35h is quite brisk, and we used the Snow mode during a sudden snow storm, and that improved our traction considerably. Handling? It corners and holds the road beautifully. You will feel some bumps and potholes, but frankly, it didn't bother us at all. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 27 city/32 highway. | Estimated mileage for the M35h is 27/32. It's fully capable of running on electricity alone, and Infiniti says you can go as fast as 62 miles per hour doing that. We didn't try it ourselves, but we can say that at low speeds it's quite effective and you hear absolutely nothing-another subtle sense of luxury. |
| The Car | |
|
This luxury vehicle is a step into just that - luxury. The appeal of the exterior and the interior are unparalleled. Infiniti's touch points - from the plush leather seats to the pristine sound system do not go unnoticed or unappreciated by the driver. The ash wood and metal combination touch points are divine. The electronics and NAV system is easy to use; I got lost and had to use it in a pinch. Not only is it intuitive but simple and quick. The 10-way power front seat gets the driver into just the perfect seating location. The perforated heated/air conditioned seats with the lumbar support bar - keeps you beyond comfortable for the long haul. The features on the M include a power tilt and telescoping steering column, and auto-dimming rear view mirror, sunroof, dual zone 'his and hers' climate control, keyless ignition and heated mirrors. Power moon roof, sequential welcome lighting, lots of organizational compartments and cup holders for all. Head room in the back is tight with the angle and contour of rear. Rear seats have climate control vents. 18" alloy wheels assist with the cars nimble handling. |
Here's a car that has an interior that is quite unlike anything you'll find anywhere else, fit and finish that 's nothing short of perfection, and has its own look, image and ambiance. This car has the Forest Air purification system - a lovely feature which wafts air flow through the interior in such a way that it feels like you're experiencing a gentle forest breeze. Nice! Standard features on the M35h are pretty extensive. You'll enjoy 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic bi-xenon headlights, foglights, power-folding heated mirrors, automatic wipers, a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated eight-way power front seats, power lumbar support, driver memory functions, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Because it's a hybrid, there's not much luggage storage. While the other M models have a 14.9-cubic-foot trunk; you'll only get 11.3 cubic feet on this model. |
| Safety | |
| Active front head restraints, Advanced Air Bag system in the front mounted side-impact supplemental air bags. Rood mounted curtain side impact air bag. Lower anchors and tethers for Children. Anti-lock brakes and Tire Pressure Monitoring system. Zone body construction with front and rear crumple zones. Emergency release in trunk. The optional Technology Package has the blind spot and lane departure warning -which beep when you hit the white lines in the middle or the very edge of the road. Also included is the collision warning system. The standard bi-xenon headlights provide exceptional visibility at dusk or night driving. | The Active Trace Control helps the car move smoothly between braking and accelerating through corners, for instance. |
| Technology | |
| Some really juicy and advantageous technology found in the M. Very much appreciated the beeping noise that occurs when encroaching a pedestrian - this VSP, or, Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians - is another set of eyes for the driver. A ten speaker kick ass Bose stereo system had my head nodding all week long to a lineup of the Talking Heads, Physchedlic Furs, JayZ, Chrissie Hynde and Kanye West which were all enjoyed via XM satellite radio. An 8" colored touch screen, heated steering wheel digital music storage, and streaming Bluetooth are included. Even a Zagat restaurant finder was included with the Premium package for $3350. | You'll get the regenerative braking and unique instrument meters and display screens. You also get what Infiniti calls Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP), which gets around concerns that the silent system may pose a safety issue for walkers and motorists alike. The Premium package adds heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a navigation system (with voice control, real-time traffic and real-time weather) and a 10-speaker Bose stereo with streaming Bluetooth audio and digital music storage. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| This athletic and inspiring exterior is both handsome and alluring. The grill is aggressive and not overstated. Great contours - and design - both inside and out. | The deepness of the wood has a tiger's eye effect, with shadings that look different from almost every angle. The wood trim here combines with an artistically crafted swirl of brushed chrome that is stunning. The dashboard has a heavily padded look that surrounds the driver and passenger, and the driver is treated to a cockpit effect with controls and gauges laid out like the latest aircraft |
| Warranty | |
| A four-year/60,000-mile and a six-year/70,000-mile power train warranty are included. | 4 year/60,000-mile and a six-year/70,000-mile power train warranty are included. |
