2013 Infiniti M37 AWD – MarketWatch

Now on with the show.

The M37 tested this weekend has something new for 2013. It is the first time that the sport package is available with Infiniti’s all-wheel drive.

This might be a dandy idea for those who live in cold and snowy climates as the conversation turns from summer heat to “What kind of winter do you think we will have?” Maximum traction in the white stuff can be had by pushing the “snow mode” button.

A powerful 3.7-liter, 330 horsepower V-6 with 270 lb-ft of torque provided more than adequate power for the test car. A 7-speed automatic with “solid magnesium paddle shifters” worked smoothly and 0-60 should check in near the six-second mark. The EPA rates the combination at 17-24 mpg on premium fuel. I got 20 on the button.

Those seeking more oomph can opt for the 5.6-liter, 420 horsepower V-8 with 417 lb-ft of torque in the M56 model. There is also a hybrid.

Already well equipped at the base $50,350 mark, the test car tacked on lots of electronic extras inflating the bottom line to $63,445 with delivery. Blind-spot and lane-change warnings are included in the $3,050 technology package along with various forms of warnings that indicate the car in front of you is too close or an accident may occur.

Other options include an excellent Bose 16-speaker audio system, an 8-inchy color display with navigation, voice recognition, traffic and weather reports, restaurant reviews, and a rear sonar system (probably a great option for retired admirals).

Out on the highway the car is well insulated from wind and road noise, except for particularly coarse pavement. Handling is well above average for what at first blush appears to be a luxury car.

The reason why is a nearly $3,000 sport package that includes 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels with all-season tires, a firmer suspension and beefed up brakes, sport seats and a few other minor additions. That made the M37 good fun on back roads but also resulted in a rather firm ride that may not sit well with some potential owners.

Test one before you buy — the standard suspension may be more what your bottom is looking for.

Inside are all the luxury materials one would expect at this price and the sport seats were comfortable on all-day drives. Ventilation and audio systems were fairly easy to set and there was plenty of room up front for a 6-foot tall driver and passenger. To the rear, headroom can be a bit tight for two tall riders but leg and foot room are fine as long as an NBA player is not driving.

For those with the income to afford such a luxury car, the M37 will hit all the right buttons especially for those who are seeking something other than a comparable BMW or Mercedes in their driveway. Yet overall refinement falls just a few ticks short of the M’s German rivals and I like the way Germans address the mix of driving fun and luxury.

Notes

I publicly want to thank everyone at MarketWatch who had anything to do with this column. A special thanks goes to Dave Callaway who gave this whole thing the green light back in April of 2003. And thanks to Susan Kaplan of MarketWatch design for the weekend slide shows and her keen sense of how to make this column look its best. I hope you will continue to turn to them for business and financial news.

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