2006 Infiniti M35 Sport Sedan

Wow. At a loss for words is not an option, so I must go on. The 2006 Infiniti M35 Sport Sedan is an incredible car. At a list price of $42,700 ($49,210 as tested) with a 4 year/60,000 mile basic warranty and 6 year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty, the 2006 Infiniti M35 Sport Sedan comes very close to being the car of my dreams: Roomy and comfortable, beautifully designed and flawlessly constructed, nimble and powerful. If a $40,000+ car can be considered a bargain, the M35 qualifies. I want one.

First Glance

There's a sense of forward motion and muscularity to the M35, even at a standstill. Without resorting to extreme styling cues, Infiniti has created a unique sedan that makes its own statement on the road. The M35's profile looks low, with a waistline that rises over its haunches. A short front overhang adds to the impression that the car is leaning forward, like a cheetah ready to pounce. The M35 eschews excessive ornamentation or body scalloping, opting instead for clean lines and moderate fenders that flare over beautiful 19-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels wearing low profile tires.

Big HID xenon headlamps wrap the front corners with a predator's gaze, and the bulging horizontal grill implies power under the hood. The rear end of the M35 comes to a neat right angled stop, maximizing trunk space and giving a trim, clean view to those who fall behind. A flash of the LED taillights lets the vanquished know that they've been overtaken by a high-tech car.

I had occasion to valet park the M35 a few times during my testing. Each time, the valets chose to park it in a prominent spot – high praise in LA's hierarchy of valet parking. My usual ride winds up in Siberia – that is, if I can convince the valets to take the keys in the first place.

In the Driver's Seat

Just opening the door of the M35 gives you an idea about the car's quality. The well-balanced doors have the right weight and solidity, and resound with a solid thunk when you pull them closed. Infiniti's great seats are covered with leather that will just improve with age and use. My girlfriend loved the climate control feature, which air conditions or heats the seats at your command. The 10-way power adjustment combined with tilt/telescope adjustment for the leather-wrapped steering wheel make finding the right driving position a breeze, and memory settings make the car smart enough to return you to that position. The M35 also features keyless ignition – you start and stop the engine by pushing a button on the dash while depressing the brake pedal. Very cool.

I've always liked Infiniti's Controller technology – a computer command center with a dash-mounted 7-inch LCD monitor that can display everything from audio settings to tire pressure. My test vehicle was outfitted with the $4,200 "Technology Package" of options, which includes DVD navigation and a surround sound system, both of which operate intuitively through the Controller. The longer you owned this car, the more features you'd be able to take advantage of and master.

On the Road

The M35 moves like a shark, with smooth precision and relentless forward momentum. Front engine/rear drive is a great setup, and the 280 hp/270 lb-ft of torque from the M35's 3.5 Liter 24-valve V6 is plenty to motivate the 3,880 lb vehicle. I didn't feel the need to use the manual shift mode very often, as the 5-speed automatic transmission kept the M35's engine in the powerband under most conditions. I always had confidence in high demand situations like passing and merging onto the freeway, and twisty roads were positively a romp with Infiniti's Rear Active Steer. The M35's vehicle speed-sensitive steering felt direct and communicated road conditions without harshness. The Lane Departure Warning system beeps when you stray from your lane – a much more polite system than my girlfriend's usual shrieks of terror.

My only slight annoyance with the M35 had to do with the controls on the steering wheel. During hard cornering, I caught a toggle on the wheel more than once, changing the radio station or climate control settings by accident.

Rear seat passengers praised the cabin for its spaciousness and luxury. They complained a little about the lack of visibility from the back, but described the ride as "cocooned," not "entombed."

Journey's End

Like most Americans, I usually want more. If you like the M35, there's an option for "more" in the M45, which features a 4.5 Liter 32-valve V8 in the engine bay, which pushes the base price up to $49,750 for the M45 Sport model. Surprisingly, the M45 is rated at 17 mpg city/23 highway, only slightly lower than the M35's 18 city/25 highway EPA rating, so the cost of operation will be similar between the two models. I was very happy with the smaller engine, though, and would probably opt for the less expensive car.

Infiniti is drawing a bead on BMW's 5 series with the M. The M35 is close in price and performance to the BMW 530i. You have to drive the 5 to appreciate the M. Also in the running are the Audi A6, Acura RL and Lexus GS300, all fine cars with a lot to offer. The Jaguar S-Type is high style with a sporting ride. Cadillac would like you to consider the STS, but the American manufacturers are not really competitive in the luxury sport sedan chase.

If you're looking for a car with cutting edge technology, luxury and performance, you'll be well-served by a look at the 2006 Infiniti M35. I'll probably have to wait for a used example to turn up in 10 years or so, after you're on to your next fancy car. It'll be worth the wait.