2010 Infiniti M35 Review

About this Vehicle

Trim: 2010 Infiniti M35 Base

MSRP: $45,800 Engine: 3.5L V6 Transmission: Automatic

Drivetrain: RWD Fuel Type: Gas Curb Weight: 3,864 lbs.

The 2010 Infiniti M35 allows drivers to bridge the often cavernous gap between sports performance and luxury vehicles. The M35 is sophisticated, athletic, and as luxurious as any of its prestigious German rivals. The V6 powerplant packs over 300 horsepower, and the handling is arguably the best in the large luxury sedan class. Those used to the air-like rides of Lexus and other automakers may find the suspension a bit firm, but sports-car fanatics will love every second of it. Read on to see how the Infiniti M35 fared in our road test.

Improvements from the 2009 BMW M35

The 2010 Infiniti M35 carries over from 2009 with only a few small changes to its options packages.

Performance

The M35 is the V6-powered version of Infiniti’s M series sedan. The 3.5-liter, 303-horsepower V6 will offer plenty of power for most drivers, but there’s always the V8-powered M45 option for those who need more. Reviewers praise the strong road grip and sporty handling of the M35, which offers a standard sport-tuned suspension. Although the firmer suspension does affect ride quality, the enhancements it offers to the vehicle’s handling are well-worth the sacrifice. The 2010 M35 sprints from 0-60 mph in about 6.2 seconds. One complaint reviewers have about the Infiniti M35’s performance is that the V6 can get a bit loud and buzzy at very high rpm.

Exterior Features

In general, most car reviews agree that the Infiniti M35 is not a standout in terms of style. The design is elegant and appealing by any standard, but some reviewers call it too bland and conventional for such an excellent car. You can check out our gallery of M35 photos to see for yourself. Standard exterior features include keyless ignition/entry, a sunroof, adaptive xenon headlights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Infiniti M35 is offered in two trim levels: the rear-wheel-drive M35 base model and the AWD M35x.

Interior Features

Auto reviews don’t have many complaints about the cabin of the 2010 Infiniti M35. Modernity is the overarching theme of the M35’s interior, with supple, ungathered leather and satin-finished metal or rosewood accents. Drivers will adore the comfort of the M35’s seats up front and in the back. Although fitting more than four adults in the M35 would be a squeeze, the sedan can accommodate up to five passengers. The only downfall of the cabin of the Infiniti M35 is its overwhelmingly complex and cluttered center stack console. Standard interior features on the 2010 M35 include Bluetooth, satellite radio, a six-speaker sound system with MP3/CD changer, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auxiliary audio input jack, and ten-way power heated and ventilated front seats with a memory function.

Safety and Specifications

Although the federal government has not released crash test scores for the 2010 M35, the car insurance industry crash tested the almost identical 2009 Infiniti M. The M received the highest score of “Good” in both front- and side-impact tests. Standard car safety features on the 2010 Infiniti M35 include active front head restraints, traction control, full-length side-curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, stability control, and front-seat side airbags. Apply for online car insurance quotes if you would like to see how much it will cost you to insure a 2010 M35. A synopsis of the Infiniti M35’s specs is included below.

• Car pricing: $45,800 MSRP; $42,286 invoice
• Engine: 3.5-liter, 303-hp V6
• Transmission: seven-speed automatic transmission on RWD model; five-speed automatic on M35x AWD
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds

Upgrade Options

The Infiniti M35’s upgrade features are available in four different packages, all of which are described below.

• Technology package: eight-speaker Bose stereo system, hard-drive navigation with real-time traffic updates, iPod interface, 9 GB of digital music storage, voice-prompted controls, rearview camera
• Sport package: 19-inch alloy wheels, aluminum cabin trim, sport-tuned suspension, rear active steering, front seat bolstering, sport body styling
• Advanced Technology package: lane departure warning system, adaptive cruise control, 14-speaker Bose sound system
• Premium package power heated and reclining back seats, power rear sunshade, rear climate and audio controls, rear-seat entertainment system

How the Infiniti M35 Compares to Other Large Luxury Cars

The 2010 Infiniti M35 is priced competitively for its segment. The fuel economy of the 2010 M35 is also good for the large luxury class, with a city/highway rating of 17/25 mpg. U.S. News and World Report rated the Infiniti M35 second of 13 luxury large cars in 2010. A few of the M35’s competitors include the:

• Mercedes-Benz E-Class
• BMW 5-Series
• Lexus GS Hybrid
• Jaguar XF
• Audi A6

New car guide information estimates the 2010 Infiniti M35’s Intellichoice 5 year cost of ownership at $53,236, which is excellent for a large luxury car. The 2010 M35 earned a superb score of 9.0 out of 10 on the J.D. Power Quality Ratings for predicted reliability. The Infiniti M35 offers a four-year/60,000-mile basic warranty with roadside assistance and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Conclusion: Is the 2010 Infiniti M35 a Smart Buy?

Whether the 2010 Infiniti M35 is the car for you depends on what you demand from your luxury sedans. If you expect a Lexus-like plush ride, you won’t get it with the M35. However, if you expect athleticism and superior handling from your upscale sedan, very few vehicles deliver those qualities better than the Infiniti M35. The V6 may not be as powerful or as fast as some, but the engine is well-matched to the M35, and the sporty feel more than makes up for any dearth of power. Add loads of high-tech luxury features and a comfortable cabin to that list of positive qualities, and the Infiniti M35 becomes more appealing than ever.