Infiniti M37 Review

Like other hotly contested segments, the midsize luxury sedan market is filled with lots of stellar competitors. The selection process can be intimidating, though broadly speaking and allowing for some crossover, these stylish and refined combatants gravitate toward two different corners. In one you'll find those which take a more traditional approach emphasizing comfort and isolation, while the other is more athletic and engaging. It's within this latter group that Infiniti hopes its new M37 and M37x sedans can spar and keep up with.

The Infiniti M37 luxury sport sedan is engineered to bring smiles to the faces of drivers looking to carve an apex now and then. It's also full of high-tech features and delivers a lot of value for your luxury dollar. Like many of its rivals, it's also available with all-wheel drive in M37x guise, and V8 power in the form of the M56 (covered in a separate review). But with 330 horsepower, the M37 trumps its rivals in the ongoing luxury sedan power war.

Along with its under-hood enhancements, the M37's dimensions have also grown with sleeker proportions and a more muscular stance. There's a mind-boggling array of hi-tech features you can access from within its handsome, redesigned cabin like active noise control and an advanced air purification system. Other systems were improved, like Infiniti's next-generation navigation and the latest Bose audio systems.

As the price of admission reaches and surpasses the $50,000 mark, a car must be pretty special to warrant your hard-earned money. If you consider value and engaging performance as equally important virtues, then the new Infiniti M37 or M37x AWD might get your nod over the more expensive Europeans. However, in terms of comfort and overall refinement, the M37 doesn't quite stack up. In any case, Infiniti's improved M37 warrants a look no matter how you size up the competition.

Current Infiniti M37

Introduced for 2011, the Infiniti M37 is motivated by a 3.7-liter V6 with 330 hp. Power flows through a seven-speed automatic transmission with four different shift modes: Normal, Sport, Snow or Eco. We found this transmission to suffer from inconsistent shift timing, leading to jerky motions and delayed reactions. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while the M37x gets all-wheel drive.

The M37 offers a lengthy list of standard and available features, both expected and unexpected. Powered conveniences, digital interfaces and advanced technology abound, with most extras available in packaged groups. These include heated and ventilated front seats, voice-activated navigation, Forest Air purification system, upgraded leather and a choice of two different premium Bose audio systems.

The M37 drives smaller than it looks, with abundant power and quick reflexes through corners. For those with driving gloves, the Sport package boasts 20-inch wheels and summer tires, a specially-calibrated chassis, four-wheel active steering, sport seats, magnesium paddle-shifters, aluminum pedals and unique cabin trim. Unfortunately, we found the ride associated with this package to be rough and unbecoming for a class noted for its refinement and comfort.

For those on the opposite end of the driving spectrum who may not be quite as focused while behind the wheel, the Technology package adds adaptive cruise control and various Blind Spot and Lane Departure collision-avoidance technologies. It also includes the so-called "Eco Pedal," which pushes back on the driver's foot when the car determines they're not driving economically. You can thankfully turn it off because we found it to be distracting and possibly dangerous.

Inside, Infiniti has taken advantage of the model changeover by constructing a contemporary, well-executed cabin for the M37. Its taut, muscular exterior design now extends inside, with pleasantly sculpted surfaces and an overall sense of harmony the M35 lacked. As before it's quite roomy with good outward visibility, but now the materials used and build quality equals the Europeans -- all the more so if you opt for further upgraded materials and trim.

In reviews, we found the M37 to be a well-executed midsize luxury sedan that offers state-of-art technology, ample power, a classy cabin and compelling value. But this is a class occupied by some of finest automobiles on the planet, and the M37 quite simply lacks the refinement and luxury je ne sais quoi that makes those models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar so compelling.