Infiniti M35 Review

Some guys like convertibles. Some like coupes. I like 'em all, but I have a strong appreciation for sedans. Not only do you get practicality, you also get the most structural rigidity...which translates into security, handling and feedback.

Infiniti's M35 is a jewel, pure and simple. After 15 years of an automotive identity crisis, Nissan's upscale division has found its place in life the past 5 years or so...making Acura salesmen work harder. A silky smooth 275-horsepower 3.5 liter V6 with a five-speed automatic move the M35 with authority...and still deliver 16 city MPG and 23 highway, according to the EPA.

If you bought one without options, it would cost $43,050 and you'd be getting an exceptionally well-equipped car. But step up to the option list and the car gets better. $1,650 buys a sport package with rear active steering, a sport-tuned suspension, alumnium trim and 19 inch wheels. The Technology Package is $3,350 and stirs in a Hard Drive Navigation System with touchscreen, a lane guidance system to tell you when you're drifting over the lines on the pavement, XM NavTraffic (providing real-time traffic information on the nav screen), a rear view camera, voice recognition, an interface system for iPod and a 9.3 gigabyte hard drive for storing your favorite music.

Total price: $48,765. Read the sticker first and maybe you'll say "ouch." Drive the car and you'll be figuring out your loan payments within minutes.