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2011 Infiniti M

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Overview

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2011 Infiniti M Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.9

Artfully blending style, performance, luxury and value, the all-new 2011 Infiniti M packs quite the proverbial punch. Competing with the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Lexus GS and Audi A6, the M houses more horsepower under the hood - in V6 or V8 guise - than the competition, and still manages to return respectable fuel economy numbers. But, power aside, perhaps the biggest selling point on the Infiniti M is what you get for the money - standard features like iPod connectivity, a rearview camera, Satellite Radio, keyless entry and start and heated front seats – all things that are usually sold as options on many other cars in its segment. Really, the Infiniti M could be boiled down into just a few words: value luxury with performance.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're a luxury-minded sedan shopper who appreciates craftsmanship and performance but is also looking for something that's a value buy, you can't go wrong with the 2011 Infiniti M

You May Not Like This Car If...

Despite its thorough makeover, the 2011 Infiniti M still doesn't make the same statement as the sporty BMW 5 Series or the stately Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

What's New for 2011

The Infiniti M is fully reinvented for 2011. With a dynamic new look inside and out, new creature comforts and a choice of two more powerful – and more fuel-efficient – engines, the newest Infiniti M is truly worthy of wearing the halo car crown for Infiniti.

Driving the M

Driving Impressions Although the outgoing Infiniti M was always a car we enjoyed driving, the 2011 M is truly a blast on the road. With two eager new powertrains, a comfortable and...

inviting interior and an impressive list of new and innovative technology to make your drive even better, we don't have much to complain about. Things like 4Wheel Active Steer on the Sport Package and downshift rev matching up the car's fun-to-drive quotient, while lane keep assist and blind spot intervention subtly help keep you safe. And the interior's a pretty nice place to spend some time - the seats are supportive, the dash intuitive and the iPod connectivity and searchability among the best out there. If we had to find something to complain about, it's that the V8 underhood in this M doesn't sounds quite as sweet as the V8 in the last generation - but, given all that we've gained in this new M, we're okay with that.

Favorite Features

4Wheel Active Steer
This feature –found in the Sport Package - makes the M feel like a much smaller car when turning and rounding corners. Essentially, the system controls the steering angle of all four wheels, allowing for less steering effort at lower speeds, and more stability at highway speeds.

White Ash silver wood trim
Using Japanese lacquer techniques, this subtle silver-dusted wood trim adds an extra touch of elegance to the Infiniti M's already well-executed interior.

2011 Infiniti M Details

Interior

When it comes to interiors, the 2011 Infiniti M easily makes our list of segment standouts. It's rich-looking, comfortable and offers nearly everything you'd ever want in a car within reach. Amenities include genuine Japanese Ash wood trim, 10-way adjustable and heated front seats, active noise control to reduce engine noise, a rear view monitor, Bluetooth and a USB port. Also included is an intelligent key system that not only allows for keyless entry and start, but keeps a dual-occupant memory system for the driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors settings and remembers the last-used climate, audio and navigation settings for each person. The Deluxe Touring Package adds even more niceties like semi-aniline leather seating surfaces, a Bose Studio Surround sound system with 16 speakers, a suede-like headliner, and, the striking but tasteful White Ash silver powdered wood trim, dusted with flecks of real silver.

Exterior

Although the 2011 Infiniti M's overall look - long, low hood and high rear deck - have not changed from the previous generation's, this rear-wheel drive based sedan is longer, lower and wider. Its new look is also guaranteed to turn more heads than before, with a double-arch grille, crystal-look headlight clusters, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and a "wave-like" trunk that acts like a spoiler to increase downforce. Those opting for the Sport Package will also get unique front fascia, a dark-finish grille and headlight housings and 20-inch wheels.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2011 Infiniti M37 comes standard with a 3.7-liter V6, a seven-speed automatic transmission, Infiniti Drive Mode Selector (Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow modes), rear-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels, leather seating, heated and 10-way power front seats, a six-speaker audio system with USB connectivity, Bluetooth, active noise control, XM Satellite Radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, a seven-inch color audio/climate/vehicle settings control display and keyless entry and start with driver memory settings. Moving up to the M56 adds a 5.6-liter V8, cooled front seats, a Bose two-channel, 10-speaker audio system, a navigation system with XM Traffic and real-time weather alerts, a 9.3GB hard drive for music storage and Bluetooth streaming audio. Safety equipment on every Infiniti M includes Brake Assist, a full complement of airbags, and electronic stability and traction controls.

Optional Equipment

Regardless of powertrain, the M can be outfitted to your liking. Available creature comforts include a Bose Studio Surround System with digital 5.1-channel decoding and 16-speakers, power rear sunshade, semi-aniline leather seating, silver metallic wood trim and a "Forest Air" system with breeze mode, which cleans and modulates air flow into the cabin. If you'd like your M to stand out, opt for the Sport Package, which adds 20-inch summer tires, a sport-tuned suspension, four-wheel active steering, sport brakes, magnesium paddle shifters, sport seats and unique front fascia, grille and headlight surrounds. All of the latest and greatest safety technology offered by Infiniti is encapsulated in the Technology Package, with intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning, lane prevention, forward collision warning, blind spot warning and adaptive front lighting systems.

Under the Hood

The 2011 Infiniti M comes with a choice of two engines: a 330-horsepower V6 (same as in the G37) or a 420-horsepower V8. Both produce more horsepower than the previous-generation's engines, and both are mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and downshift rev matching. And, despite the increase in power, both also return better fuel economy. Adding all-wheel drive to the M brings with it a slight penalty in fuel economy.

3.7-liter V6
330 horsepower @ 7000 rpm
270 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5200 rpm
EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 18/26 (RWD), 17/24 (AWD)

5.6-liter V8
420 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
417 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 16/25 (RWD), 16/23 (AWD)

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2011 Infiniti M Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.8

Out of 10

Based on 25 Ratings for the 2011 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.2/10

Quality

7.8/10
Reliability

8.6/10

Performance

7.6/10
Comfort

7.9/10

Styling

9.0/10

Excellent Sport Sedan

By JohnnyD (NC) on Sunday, November 25, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 16,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "high quality, reliability, outstanding interior"

Cons: "Hard navigation system to master."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned this car since August 2011 and now have over 16000 miles on it. It has never needed anything but regular oil changes. The ride quality, acceleration, and quality are comparable to my last car a Lexus LS-460. I got the Deluxe Touring Package which gives you the outstanding Analine Leather interior and rear sunshade. If you can get a car with it, do it. I know it comes in the Lexus also, as an option package. It's worth the expense. The only negative about the car is the Infiniti navigation system which I find hard to master. Other than that problem, the car is great and even if I had more money I wouldn't buy anything else. I considered the BMW 535 and Lexus GS-350. I didn't like the front grill on the Lexus or the unreliability reputation of the BMW. Lexus and Infiniti give you a Lexus or Infiniti loaner car when in for service while BMW uses Enterprise rental cars. You will also find the Lexus and Infiniti dealerships and service superior to most other car dealerships."

11 people out of 12 found this review helpful

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love my M56S

By M56S Owner (GA) on Saturday, October 20, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "power, features and luxury for the price, handling"

Cons: "no remote start"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Best car I've ever owned. Tons of power. Fantastic handling. Incredible styling inside and out. Have had the car for 2 months and not one problem. Engine and transmission is extremely quiet and incredibly smooth."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Brand new with transmission problems

By Sweets (TX) on Sunday, October 14, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 700

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 2/10
Reliability: 2/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "Great look"

Cons: "Transmission problems"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Before I could get the temporary tags removed from my brand new car, I began to have problems with it. The indicator light signaled Engine problems on the day I picked up the tags. I was told by the associate that often the engine signaled a loosely replaced gas cap. Even the manual gave the same information. According to the manual, the Engine light would go out after a few days once I tightened the gas cap again which was not loose. I have been told that there is a problem with the transmission switch. Moreover, the service department has had my car for over a week. Because I had not heard from the service department for a week, I initiated a call to the department only to be told that the part has not been sent in and it will take another 2 weeks or so before the part would come in and the car repaired. In the meantime, I am driving a rental that has an engine oil light on and an expired inspection sticker. This is my first and probably last infinity."

5 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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Do not buy this car. Transmission issues abound

By J (NC) on Friday, October 05, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 32,000

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 3/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "beautiful styling, fast when punched"

Cons: "horrific transmission in traffic, fading brakes"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"Transmission problems for two years, software issue for the 7 speed, per Infiniti, with no fix in sight. Now brake fading/creeping issues."

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Horrible road noise overshadows power & styling

By Rob (TX) on Saturday, September 29, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 2.0

overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 2/10
Value: 3/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "Plenty of power, great styling in and out"

Cons: "Horrible road. Taking a bath to get rid of it."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"On paper and in the flesh, this M56 is a beautiful car. Gorgeous styling inside and out, inviting cabin, and loads of power and torque. But get this beast on anything other that a glass-smooth pavement and the road noise is just awful. I spent the extra few thousand for the Deluxe Touring Package, which bought me the Bose sound system. What a waste of money. At 55 mph, the volume on this multi-hundred watt system has to be at 3/4 full power to drown out the road noise. Rear seat passengers get a full blast of road noise from the rear wheel arches just behind them. At 70 mph on the freeway, it's hard to hold a conversation with the front seat passenger. Avoid this car."

5 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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great car for the price and features

By dotman13 (GA) on Wednesday, August 08, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,400

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great price, features and quality"

Cons: "gas mileage a little on the lower side"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Great car for the price and the features offered. I have the Technology Package, which has everything that you can imagine on a car, it nearly drives itself. Very smooth ride and very sharp and sporty looking. GREAT combination of luxury ride and sports car ride. Interior well appointed and has a luxurious look and feel."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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See all 25 reviews