ROAD TEST.....2012 Infiniti M Hybrid

     Debuting for the 2012 model year, the Infiniti M35h is the latest addition to a growing segment of luxury sedans incorporating electric-assist drivetrains. Featuring the conventional power of a gas powered V6, the all-aluminum power plant works in concert with a 50-kilowatt electric motor. Electric power is stored on board the vehicle in a lithium-ion battery pack which does cut trunk space down to just over 11 cubic feet.

     Once you get used to the way a hybrid vehicle shuts down at stoplights & other such oddities, this M will both surprise & delight you with its vast amount of power, safety features, & creature comforts. A premium luxury sedan, the M Hybrid comes factory loaded with an array of convenience items including dual 10-way power & heated leather seats, XM audio, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, Active Noise Control & more.

     Optional equipment packages for the M35h include Premium, Deluxe Touring, & Technology + a nice set of tri-split spoke 18" wheels. Popular Items such as Intelligent Cruise Control, 16 speaker Bose Surround Sound audio and Forest Air to name just a few are all bundled within these packages.

     Now on to a few things which i think Infiniti should work on when creating the next M hybrid. First, when first starting the M Hybrid you hear a very loud & course sounding motor. It revs very high & in general just doesn't sound at all what you would expect to hear from a car this sexy in design. Also, when the stop light turns green, once out of EV mode smooth takeoffs are very difficult. the accelerator seems to hesitate causing the driver to feed the car more fuel & then wham-o...there she goes! In other words the initial throttle response at take off should be a smoother transaction. On the other end of the complaint spectrum are the brakes which in my opinion are too grabby at times resulting in a few too many jerky panic style stops than necessary. Typically, I have experienced this same grabby brake feeling on other Infiniti's when equipped with the larger performance brakes found on the sport packages. The hybrid does not have the sport package as an option so what gives with these sensitive brakes?

     The Forest Air system cleans & dehumidifies the air inside the car while gently blowing a breeze throughout the car at varying intervals. The breeze is supposed to mimic the gentle breeze one feels while strolling through the forest. REALLY? I'm sorry but who am I...little red riding hood? I ask you, just how many current Infiniti owners TAKE STROLLS THROUGH FORESTS? A system that cleans & purifies the car's interior? Sure! I'm all for that (especially since I KNOW the horrid smells that can come outta me sometimes...you know what i'm sayin) but as a whole I think we can leave the forest air back in the forest it came from.

     The combined power from the electric & gasoline motors produces 360 horsepower while netting an EPA rating of 27 MPG city & up to 32 MPG highway! I experienced a combined average of 24 MPG overall on regular gasoline; the manufacturer strongly recommends using premium to achieve the maximum amount of power & fuel economy the M hybrid is capable of.

THUMBS UP

• Idiot Proof Navigation
• Fast as Shit Acceleration
• Lots of Features/Gadgets to better distract the driver
• 360 hp AND 32 MPG? C'mon!!

THUMBS DOWN

• Pretty loud at engine start up
• Forest Air is annoying & unnecessary
• Difficult to drive smoothly
• Trunk space sacrificed for battery pack storage

BASE PRICE:          $53,000
FULLY LOADED:     $66,350

TEST VEHICLE:          2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid
Storm Front Gray
Java Leather

360 hp V6 Hybrid

Rear Wheel Drive

18" Wheels
Automatic Headlamps

Dual Zone Automatic Temp Control

Moonroof

Rear View Monitor

Power Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel

Heated Power Folding Mirrors
Leather
Japanese Ash Wood Trim

Premium Package ($3450)

8” Touch screen Navigation

Heated Steering Wheel

Climate Controlled Front Seats

Deluxe Touring Package ($3900)

Power Rear Window Sunshade

Quilted Leather w/ Premium Soft Touch Dash/Door Panel Trim

White Ash Silver Powdered Wood Trim

16-speaker BOSE 5.1 Studio Surround Audio

Forest Air Conditioning w/ Breeze Mode & Air Purifier

18" Accessory Wheels ($650)

5-Spoke 18” Alloy Wheels

Technology Package ($3050)

Intelligent Cruise Control
Distance Control Assist

Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Prevention

Intelligent Brake Assist
Forward Collision Warning

Blind Spot Warning
Backup Collision Intervention

OTHER TRIM LEVELS:

M37                   

M37x              
M56

M56x