Vehicle: 2009 Infiniti M45 Sport
Price as tested: CDN$69800

Performance: There are 2 different powertrains reside underneath M’s bonnet. The base car comes with VQ35DE with 303hp and 268lb/ft of torque. As we have experienced with all M35 that comes standard with ATTETS-AWD, 303hp feels somewhat lacking. However, its the 4.5 liter V8 that is the engine of choice in M’s case. That powertrain is not only sweet as a nut, its got performance to boot. That means its good for 325 ponies and 336 lb/ft of torque. That 22 extra horses and 68 lb/ft of torque really make the M does. It transforms the M from a boring luxury sedan into one with sporty flair. Along with all the advanced CVVTCS variable valve timing technology, this luxury car certainly isn’t lacking anything called speed. Its willing in both low, mid and even high rev ranges. The throttle response is quick and responsive without the usual abrupt feel of some of its peers. The only transmission that is available on M45 is the smooth shifting 5-speed manumatic. This gearbox is not only willing to up and downshifts, it also learns driver’s behaviour quickly and effectively through its fuzzy logic program. This is a truly good match with this willing V8 motor. On the other hand, without such a willing gearbox. The base M35X would have become pretty much a dog.

Handling: Along with a stiff chassis as a good fundmental, our M45 comes standard with the optional sports package. New for 2009, you can choose an M45 with AWD with standard suspension or RWD with sports package. What makes the Sport different than the rest of the M range is the addition of rear active steer, 19″ wheels and stiffer suspensions. Combined the already good chassis with the sports suspension, it makes the M45 drives more like a sports sedan than a luxury sedan. With nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution and active rear steer, M45′s tail is able to have some oversteer whenever an enthuisastic driver wants it to. The best of all, M’s Vehicle Dynamic Control or VDC, is not intended to step in unnecessarily until the vehicle rears its ugly head. This suspension is able to absorb bumps and roughness relatively well without the usual floatiness so many on luxury boats. The steering provides decent feedback and its precise enough to please most enthuisasts. Its also weighty enough without being too light.

Brakes: Consider M45′s 4004 lb of leather-lined luxury, its braking performance is a delightful surprise. The stopping distance is short. Brake pedal feel and modulation are decent enough to haul this beast to a stop without any hestiation. Combined with an ABS that doesn’t have unwanted intervention, you pretty sum up its overall dynamic package.

Interior: With the recent facelift of the entire M range, Infiniti has improved its use of materials and level of fit-and-finish a whole lot over the earlier car. That means M finally got the plastic materials that are on par with anything in its class. The rest of the layout is typical Infiniti. That means a lot of standard features from power leather seats to dual zone climate control.

The biggest disppointment has to be found in the trunk. Consider M’s trunk liftover already high, its lack of a proper fold-down rear seats and narrow opening would only make loading luggage worse.

Conclusion: Unlike Infiniti’s previous attempts of cracking on the higher end of the luxury spectum, this M45 represents a real deal. It got plenty of power, handles surprisingly well and offer lots of features for the money. Just like the G37 sedan we just reviewed, M45 is another Infiniti worths of consideration if you are looking for something that offer lots of content for the money with a luxury nameplate.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Infiniti M45 Sport
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.25/5