Infiniti M Hybrid (M35h) Review and Road Test – The Green Car Driver –

SAFETY

Our short-term M Hybrid came to us with the Technology package, which includes several popular driver assistance features that we are seeing in more and more vehicles.  Blind-spot detection causes a light in the A pillar to light up when another car is next to the M while driving.  If you activate the turn signal, which tells the car you might switch lanes, it blinks to warn you of impending danger.

Adaptive cruise control, similar to such systems in other cars, matches the speed of the car in front and slows the car down if that car also slows down.  Distance Control Assist scans the road ahead for obstacles such as stopped traffic and hits the brakes if necessary.

BOTTOM LINE

The luxury hybrid sedan market is nothing new: witness the BMW Active7 Hybrid and the Mercedes S400 Hybrid .  Jaguar’s new hybrid sports car, the C-X16, will probably cross from concept to production vehicle in 2012.  That having been said, all of the aforementioned contenders are in the $100,000 range nicely equipped while the Infiniti M Hybrid s almost half that.

The Infiniti M Hybrid scores points for being the first to iron out the kinks in transitioning from all-electric, all-gasoline, and hybrid power and it’s clearly one of the best around.   From a design standpoint, the exterior makes a unique and elegant statement that sets it apart from square-ish competitors and the discreet hybrid badge will show the world that hybrids can be elegant, sporty, and fast – while still just sipping fuel.

	2012 Infiniti M Hybrid
Base price/price-as-tested	$53,700 / $65,395
Drivetrain	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine	3.5/302 hp/258 lb-ft/V-6
Motor	67 hp /199 lb-ft/advanced electric motor
Battery	Lithium ion
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Curb weight  (lbs)	4129
Wheelbase  (inches)	114.2
Length x width x height  (inches)	194.7 x 72.6 x 59.1
0-60 mph (seconds)	6.1 (estimated)
City/highway fuel economy (mpg)	27/32

Pages: 1 2 3