2009 Infiniti M45 Salt Lake City UT

November 20, 2009   By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor



2009 Infiniti M45

DriverSide Overview
The luxury sedan segment is jam-packed with entrants boasting amazing V-8 engines, beautifully crafted interior cabins, a million and one standard options and aggressively elegant body designs. Seasoned veterans like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi fill the ranks, making it difficult for others to edge into the competition. But this is where the 2009 Infiniti M45 develops a surprising advantage. Big names tend to equate to big prices, which means the M45 easily undercuts the cost of the opposition. While doing so, it retains a high standard of sophistication and fit and finish. Technology is abundant with optional systems like adaptive cruise control and lane departure prevention, though, as the segment demands, there are more than enough standard features offered at the base price. Its powerful 4.5-liter V-8 does tend to run thirstier than others of equal size and the drive experience can’t match that of a BMW 5-Series, but the overall feeling we get after driving the furiously fun M45 is nothing short of undeniable infatuation. Imagine how we would feel if we actually owned one. 








What's to Like
The sonorous V-8 will jump start any heartbeat and smoothly and quickly follows the throttle's every command. Most trimmings are standard except for a few technology and comfort packages, meaning the price can be kept down to reasonable levels. If two-wheel drive isn't enough, the M45x model sends power to all four wheels.

What's Not to Like
If you opt for the Lane Departure Warning safety feature, which audibly alerts you when the car drifts across lanes, know that it is reactivated every time the car turns on – those beeps get very annoying very fast. The instrument panel is too cluttered and unorganized; for one function alone, controls can appear in a variety of places.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
In keeping with Infiniti’s ethos of sporty driving, the M45’s firmer suspension means the sedan rides a bit rougher along city streets than some of its competitors. Rest assured that this is only to ensure superior damping and control during more inspired driving. The M45’s other components also uphold this kind of quality. The engine, a feisty V-8, is happy to blat out power 'til the cows come home, and high speeds are where it really hits its stride. Try to resist crying out in joy when you hear the V-8 fully open – its deep rumbling is unbelievably perfect. The transmission aptly handles the copious amounts of torque by using rev matching technology to downshift seamlessly, though we’re waiting impatiently for an upgrade to the new seven-speed auto. But see if you care once the shift knob is slipped over to Sport mode to allow the transmission to keep the revs going skyward until redline. Road noise is kept to a minimum, as one would expect on a $52,000 luxury ...

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