2003 Infiniti M45 Sedan
Muscle combined with Luxury

Susan Frissell
Women With Wheels

Muscle, brains and soul are the adjectives used to describe the new-for-2003 M45 sedan. This is one powerhouse, yet not without lots of luxury. Somewhat reminiscent of cars of the 1960s, the new M45 offers just about all you could want in a "family" performance luxury sedan. It took just a little getting used to driving the M45, but the learning curve was short-lived. And after getting out of the M45 one week and into the Q45 the following week, one could really tell the difference.

As Infiniti turns over all of its fleet to the realm of performance luxury and becomes "the new Infiniti," we find ourselves slowly converting back. Always a fan of V8 power and performance, I became accustomed to the quieter, more efficient V6’s of the past twenty years. I thought I’d never be able to live without my V8, but as times change, so do preferences. However, driving a handful of performance vehicles, of late, and we mean comfortable performance sedans, I’m doing yet another 360 degree turn around.

Appealing somewhat to the high number of Baby Boomer consumers, the M45 is a muscle car with cutting edge technology. Equipped with available high tech features such as a DVD player, Voice Recognition and laser-guided Intelligent Cruise Control, there’s little Infiniti left out.

There are just a few manufacturers in Infiniti’s class who can turn out a vehicle that’s attractive, comfortable, quiet and luxurious. As vehicles continue to improve, the gap becomes narrower and narrower, and even at the $20,000 price range one can find a very acceptable automobile. But when it comes to luxury, Infiniti stands out among the others.

As would be expected in a vehicle in this category, the M45 comes with a slew of standard equipment, including the 4.5-liter, 32-valve, 340-horsepower V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Antilock brakes, HID Xenon headlights, 18-inch tires, 225-watt Bose audio system and glove box mounted 6-disc CD changer, analog clock, 8-way power driver’s seat, 4-way power passenger seat, heated leather seats, smoke wood trim, and power everything.

We especially like the glove box-mounted CD changer. Out of the way and unobtrusive in its mounting in the glove box, it’s easy to use and there is still plenty of room left for storage. Some of the options on our test vehicle included a Comfort and Convenience package (tire pressure monitor, full size spare tire and wheel, Homelink Universal Transceiver, driver’s memory seat system, auto dimming outside driver’s mirror, auto anti-glare rearview mirror and compass in rearview mirror), $950; Premium Package (climate controlled front seats, power sliding tilt glass sunroof, Infiniti Voice Recognition), $2,200; Technology Package (DVD-based Navigation System, Intelligent Cruise Control), $2,700; Traditional Wood Trim color, $300 and trunk mat, $60. Option prices are high and some of the above most could live without.

The Navigation screen includes not only HVAC operation but also audio system operation. One must work both of these features through the screen. Infiniti’s system is fairly easy to learn and use, but at times, annoying. For instance, you must push the audio button to get the radio controls back up so you’re often switching back and forth between it and the automatic heating and air system.

When shifting into reverse, the monitor (5.8-inch color LCD screen) displays for the driver what is behind. The rearview camera is a help when navigating tight spots. And of course, backing up any vehicle poses a threat to small children who might be playing nearby. According to Consumer Reports magazine, at least one child is killed a week due to backover accidents. Rear sensing systems and video cameras such as the one in the M45 may very well become a much-needed option for many drivers.

The rear-wheel-drive M45 sedan will fit nicely between Infiniti’s flagship Q45 and the G35 sport sedan. The M45 is faster than the Q45 and offers V8 power at a competitive V6 price. The mid-luxury segment in which the M45 competes is growing fast. Sales increased 230 percent between 1991 and 2000 with 300,000 sold annually, according to Sonny Osawa, Chief Product Specialist for the M45.

The M45 will compete with Lexus GS300 and GS430, the BMW 530i, BMW 540i, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6. Infiniti introduces Satellite radio and 18-inch tires on the M45, and is the M45 is the first car in its segment to offer climate control seats. Standard sound system is a 7-speaker Bose with 6-disc CD changer. Ten-way power seat with automatic entry/exit system is standard, as is genuine Bird’s Eye Maple smoke-colored wood trim.

Infiniti expects the M45’s demographics to be as follows: Eighty percent male, 85 percent married, 48 years-old on average, college graduates who like V8 power, are quality and brand conscious consumers and are into the newest technology.

We found the "beep" that accompanied the changing of the radio channels a bit annoying. But the Infiniti trademark super quiet cabin made up for it.

2004 Copyright. Susan Frissell. WomenWithWheels.com. All Rights Reserved.