Infiniti->ke36's M Line is in a tricky spot as the Japanese brand's resident mid-size, performance luxury sedan.

On one hand, it has all the makings of a car that exudes style, performance, luxury, craftsmanship and technology, hallmarks of what makes for a really impressive luxury car. But on the other hand, it's very classification as a luxury car means that it's in the cross hairs of some of pretty stiff competition, including the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E-Class->ke373, two German luxury sedans that are pretty much synonymous in the market.

That's the challenge Infiniti has with the M Line->ke269. Build it up as a unique luxury sedan->ke142 with a multitude of features attached to it, all while trying to establish the car as something that can go head-to-head with the BMWs and Mercedes of the world.

It's an unenviable task that Infiniti hopes the 2013 M Line can live up to.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2013 Infiniti M Line

infiniti-m

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: infiniti-m
Pros
Cons

2013 Infiniti M

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Infiniti M
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 420
  • Torque: 417
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

As far as overall looks are concerned, there weren't a whole lot of changes done to the Infiniti M. It still has that unique looking long, low hood that stretches to a high rear deck. Infiniti designed this for aerodynamic purposes, although that came at a cost of looking like an oddball design. We're not big fans of the double-arch upright low grille, but it seems that Infiniti is determined to keep the look.

What we do like about the 2013 M Line is its lighting setup, which comes with a fascinating combination of HID, bi-functional, xenon headlights encased inside crystal-like headlight clusters. Another unique feature that we can appreciate is the wave-like trunk, which you have to look real closely to notice. The design isn't for aesthetic purposes, but intentionally done to work like its own spoiler to increase downforce on the car.

An optional Sport Package can be equipped on both the M37 and the M56, which comes with a multitude of features, including a unique front fascia, a dark-finish grille, dark headlight housings, 20-inch wheels and tires, and aerodynamic enhancers that contribute to the low coefficient of drag of just 0.27 for the M37 and M56 and 0.26 for the M Hybrid.

A choice of six colors are also offered for the 2013 M Line, including: Malbec Black, Liquid Platinum, Platinum Graphite, Storm Front Grey, Black Obsidian and Moonlight White.

Exterior Specifications

Model

M37 (RWD)

M37 (AWD)

M56 (RWD)

M56 (AWD)

Wheelbase (inches)

114.2

114.2

114.2

114.2

Overall length

194.7

194.7

194.7

194.7

Overall width

72.6

72.6

72.6

72.6

Overall height

59.1

59.6

59.1

59.6

Front track width

62.0

62.0

62.0

62.0

Rear track width

61.8

61.6

61.8

61.6

Minimum ground clearance

6.0, 5.9 Sport Pkg.

5.8

5.9, 5.9 Sport Pkg.

5.7

Coefficient of Drag (Cd)

0.27

0.27

0.27

0.27


2013 Infiniti M Line - Standard Exterior Features

-Automatic on/off High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights with windshield wiper interlock

-Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) with auto-leveling headlights (Included in Package)

-Green-tinted glass with dark-tint upper windshield band and UV cut

-Auto-dimming power folding, heated outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature

-Chrome grille with large Infiniti logo emblem

-Power sliding tinted glass moonroof with one-touch auto-open/close, tilt feature and sliding sunshade

-Rain-sensing variable intermittent front windshield wipers

-Auto-trunk cincher

Interior

Individualization was a focus for Infiniti in designing the interior of the M Line. Apparently, it's goal of presenting "an elegant yet functional design that combines artistry with precision, comfort with innovation" was done to support the enhanced driving enjoyment of the car.

That's all well and good, but the way the cabin ended up looking, we're struggling to see how we're all better for it just by driving the M Line.

That's not to say that the interior is horrible; on the contrary, it does look pretty splashy for a car that's competing against segment heavyweights, like the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E-Class.

The overall arrangement of the dashboard is well-balanced, with the idea of fitting every functional piece into the rather large center console. That means that the passenger-side dash is bereft of any clutter, while the driver's side only has the multifunction steering wheel and a cleanly designed and well-lit instrument panel.

The center console, on the other hand, is where all the interior magic happens. It's sloping design is a markedly different from other models. Nice touch that pays off as far as we're concerned. The 7-inch color information display looks a little too dug in, making it a little harder to read what's displayed on the screen, but that's one of the few quirks on the M Line's cabin that we're going to let pass.

Meanwhile, the seats are leather-appointed, which is always a good thing, and comes with that all-too-important heated feature that's become standard for luxury sedans these days. An entry/exit assist system for the driver's seat and steering wheel, a sequential welcome lighting illuminated entry system and dual-zone automatic temperature, all play their roles in enhancing the level of luxury to the interior.

And the plethora of features are nothing to sneeze at, especially when you're in the mood to completely trick out your cabin with just about every knick-knack Infiniti has to offer.

But through it all, it still falls short of the lofty description Infiniti had for it. It's a nice setup, but it's not going to make us love our lives better.

Interior Specifications

Front

Rear

Head room

39.1

37.7

Shoulder room

58.4

56.7

Hip room

54.3

53.5

Leg room

44.0

36.2


2013 Infiniti M Line - Standard Interior Features

-Leather-appointed seating

-Perforated semi-aniline leather seating (Included in Package)

-10-way power driver's and front passenger's seats including 2-way power lumbar support

-Heated front seats

-Climate-controlled front seats (heated and cooled) (Included in Package for M37)

-Entry/exit assist for driver's seat and steering wheel

-Adjustable front seat active head restraints and adjustable rear head restraints

-Genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob

-Suede-like headliner, premium soft-touch material for armrests, door inserts, center console and kneepads; premium stitched meter hood (Included in Package)

-Dual occupant memory system for driver's seat, steering wheel, outside mirrors linked to individual Intelligent Keys

-Auto-dimming inside rear view mirror

-HomeLink Transceiver

-Genuine Japanese Ash wood accents on doors, instrument panel and center console

-White Ash silver-powdered wood trim (Included in Package)

-Infiniti analog clock

Drivetrain

The Infiniti M Line comes with a choice of three powertrains: two gas-powered versions and one hybrid version. The first one is a 3.7-liter V-6 that produces 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, good enough to hit 60 mph in around six seconds with a top speed of around 140 mph.

For the higher-trim M56, power comes from a 5.6-liter, V-8 engine that pounds out 420 horsepower and 416 pound-feet of torque - right around the level of the BMW 550i. Translated into performance figures, the M56 is capable of hitting 60 mph in the low-five-second range with a top speed of 155 mph.

The third powertrain, which is exclusive to the M35, is called the Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid, which features a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine that's combined with a Lithium-ion battery pack, and a 50kW electric motor. This setup is connected to an electronic 7-speed automatic transmission, netting the car 360 horsepower under its hood.

Engine Specifications

Model

M37

M56

Model

VQ37VHR DOHC 24-valve

VK56VD DOHC 32-valve

Type

Longitudinal

Longitudinal

Orientation

V6 with molybdenum coated pistons

V8 with molybdenum coated pistons

Cylinders / configuration

Aluminum-alloy

Aluminum-alloy

Block / head composition

3.7 liters

5.6 liters

Displacement

330 hp @ 7,000 rpm

420 hp @ 6,000 rpm

Horsepower

270 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm

417 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm

Torque

7,500 rpm

6,700 rpm

Maximum engine speed

TBD

TBD


Pricing

Five separate prices have been identified for the Inifiniti M Line, beginning with the entry level M37 that retails for $48,000 all the way up to the top-grade M56x AWD, which can be had for a pricey $63,000.

Model

M37

M37x AWD

M56

M56x AWD

M35h

Model

$48,000

$50,850

$61,000

$63,700

$54,750

Suggested List Price

3.7-liter V-6

3.7-liter V-6

5.6-liter V-8

5.6-liter V-8

3.5-liter V-6 Direct Response Hybrid System

Engine

7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode

7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode

7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode

7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode

7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode


Competition

2014 BMW 5 Series

The 2014 5 Series recently made its debut and to no one's surprise, it didn't offer any major updates apart from a more powerful V-8 engine and the introduction of a new member to the line: the 518d.

Powertrain options remain the same, although the addition of a new V-8 for the top-level 550i gives BMW a new ride that produces a pretty stout output of 450 horsepower.

Pricing is right around that of the Infiniti M Line but the German brand has a higher starting point at $50,425 for the 528i Sedan all the way up to $67,125 for the 550i XDrive Sedan.

2014 Mercedes E-Class

Mercedes was the first German maker to offer a small revision for its luxury sedan. The E-Class was updated with new headlamps and revised aprons, and for the interior with more premium materials, precise lines and clearly defined surfaces.

Under the hood the E-Class keeps the usual lineup that includes the E350 with its 302-horsepower, V-6 engine or the E500 with its 402-horsepower, V-8 engine and a new E250 BlueTEC powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine with 190 horsepower.

Like the 5 Series, the E-Class' is priced a little too high relative to the M37 and M56, giving the Infiniti luxury sedan a unique leg-up on pricing.

Conclusion

Overall, the Infiniti M Line offers a nice and affordable luxury sedan offering. If you're on a tight budget for a car of this status, the M37 and the M56 can give you all that you'll need in a luxury car. There are features aplenty, too, something that its German counterparts don't have as much in spades.

But if you've got the budget to splurge, it's not necessarily a bad idea to hop straight into a BMW 5 Series or a Mercedes E-Class because of the cache that comes with owning any of the two brands.