Review: Volkswagen Touareg vs. Infiniti QX60

SUVS of a Lesser God: VW vs Infiniti
by The Car Family

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Two flagships, both loaded, the VW Touareg and Infiniti QX60 are not your mainstream SUVs and yet each deserves consumer respect with high marks for safety and useability. The major differences between these two stalwarts is that although they are priced similarly they are world’s apart in spirit. The Volkswagen is tough as nails, ready to handle any terrain while the Infiniti is spacious, and smooth. Both test vehicles cost in the mid $50,000 range, but were heavily optioned.

NASHVILLE (Dec. 15, 2016) – Infiniti has comprehensively enhanced its versatile QX60 premium crossover for 2016, introducing a wide range of changes that improve the seven-seater’s exterior design and its driving dynamics, while showcasing new features and technologies that improve comfort, convenience and safety.

The loaded Volkswagen Wolfsburg edition is the more rugged performer, but it is not by any means without its comforts. There is a 7700 pound towing rate, fine interior styling, nice handling despite its height, adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, a trailer hitch, an 8-inch touchscreen, and more. It does not have a third row seat as the Infiniti does and the engine is not as responsive as its Japanese counterpart. The Volkswagen impressed us with its quiet demeanor while still offering a capable off-road ability that would make it ideal for 909 readers who are tempted by moutain and desert drives as well as the dangers of torrential rainfall.

Infiniti’s QX60 was more luxurious with a smooth ride and a new 3.5 liter V6 that gave us 22 mpg and never lacked for effort, unless you selected the Eco mode which neutralized the performance in the interest of better fuel economy. The Touareg average a bit less, at 20 mpg.

Mom’s view: I would choose the Infiniti if I needed the third row of seats. The interior appointments were lush and the ride more cushioned. The Volkswagen had a more modern interior design and was easier to park, although I loved the QX60’s monitor that displayed an aerial imagery that showed you what was around you.The brakes in the Volkswagen were superb. Both vehicles did well in crash tests, although you need to order the forward collision warning on the Infiniti. The Infiniti’s third row seat is fairly easy for youngsters to access as the second row seats fold down. The Touareg is strictly a two-row, five-passenger SUV, but its rear seat is roomy, with reclining seatbacks and sliding seat travel. There is 64 cubic feet of room with the rear seats down in the VW while larger Infiniti has 76.5 cubic feet. As 909 reader know well traffic is getting worse. Thus I recommend as many safety features as you can afford of which both of these vehicles have an abundance.

Dad’s view: The Volkswagen Touareg comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission to a 4Motion all-wheel drive. It was an enjoyable vehicle, but the engine does let you know when you poke it. On the road it is pleasant even over rough roads. The Infiniti V6 was a bit smoother and stronger with 295 horsepower. It has a continuously variable automatic transmission and our Q also had all-wheel drive. The QX60 V-6 is rated to tow up to 5000 pounds. The Infiniti is all about traveling in luxury and so there is much less road feel in the QX. The seats in both vehicles were excellent with a fairly low step-in height. As similar as these two SUVs are in cost there is no question that the Infiniti is designed for those who like to be coddled whereas the Touareg is a tough customer ready for whatever comes your way.

2016 Infiniti QX60

Young working man’s view: The Infiniti offers an infotainment system and some nice graphics with the always handy buttons to make navigating fairly easy. The telematics can locate the vehicle if it is missing and can even unlock it. If you have teenagers you can set the car up so that it will notify them if they are going to fast or leaving an area you don’t want them to leave. The sound system in both vehicles was satisfactory, but you should consider upgrades. The WolfsburgTouareg offers Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, a navigation system, an eight-speaker sound system with HD and satellite radio, and a CD player. Touareg’s infotainment system functions well, however the Infiniti offers more including an available Theater Package.

Young working woman’s view: Standard features are abundant in the Volkswagen such as LED cabin lighting, VW’s Driver Assist package and Park Distance Control, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, HID headlights and rearview camera. Volkswagen also offers an eight-inch touchscreen, a Dynaudio premium audio system, a hands-free power liftgate, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane departure warning, and a Car-Net telematics system which notifies roadside assistance if you need help. On the other hand, Infiniti has HID headlights, a post-collision safety system and a remote anti-theft alarm. Also offered are a Driver Assistance package that includes forward and reverse collision warnings, automatic braking, blind-spot alerts, and Active Trace Control. I found the Infiniti softer and more relaxing to drive. The Volkswagen more eager, but not as comforting.

Family conference. The Infiniti and Volkswagen appeal to those who march to a different drummer. They are competent and durable, but lack the cachet of the mainstream SUVs. To this end the rugged Volkswagen Touareg and Infiniti QX60 offer owners the advantage of owning a unique vehicle that can handle whatever is thrown at them while still proving comfort and safety.

 

Infiniti’s M35 Hybrid: You Can Have it All

Infiniti’s M35 Hybrid: You Can Have it All

by The Car Family

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This sedan flies and no one notices. After all, it is a hybrid that yielded 33 mpg in daily driving. The reality is you can get to 60 mph in just over five seconds while sitting on heated and cooled seats, surrounded by a stunning leather and wood trimmed interior, and getting traffic and weather reports.

Expensive, yes, at $53,700, but worth it if you love to drive, need room for five, don’t like refueling costs, and enjoy understatement.

At first blush, we weren’t impressed. This car looked like an M 35 Infiniti and that model cost less. Sure the seats were comfortable, and the fit and finish similar to other luxury cars, but nothing really engaged the love at first site mode. We spent a full ten minutes trying to figure out what all the buttons, gauges, and other controls were before the urge to push the start button overcame our better judgment. The rpm and speedometer pointers swung up and down. The instrument panel lighted-up and that was it. Just silence. Unnoticed at first was a small readout informing us the car was ready. So, with some hesitation, we put the car in reverse and the huge monitor flashed an image of what was behind the Infiniti. Very nice.

Under electric power, we drove away. It was an eerie feeling, but it didn’t last. When we turned on the air-conditioning the gas engine came to life. From that moment on it was play time. The information system provides a plethora of data and you can even adjust the accelerator pedal feel. The heated and cooled seats were the best we’ve tested and there was always that feeling of luxury. Overall, this was one of the few cars we have tested that we would not mind keeping. The M 35 hybrid does it all.

Mom’s view: I had a difficult time trying to squeeze my hand between the seat and door to adjust the rake, lumbar and height settings. Good thing my husband didn’t buy me a large diamond ring. (Marry a teacher and those things happen.) The front and side visibility were good, crash scores excellent, and it was easy to park. The exterior does not draw attention to itself, but the interior is gorgeous. There was nothing not to like in this car. The acceleration is exhilarating, the ride firm, but not harsh, and there are plenty of storage. Among the unique safety features were blind spot and lane departure warning and intervention systems, and excellent headlights and interior lighting. My only concern was the smallish trunk due to the the battery pack. The best thing I can say it that it made me feel good, and that makes it worth every penny.

Dad’s view: The Infiniti has a heavy feel, but the suspension has a sporty nature. It is an excellent combination for most drivers. Brake feel is a bit different as the Infiniti uses regenerative brakes to help recharge its batteries. One thing for certain, the car can stop in a hurry. I came upon a texting driver who, without warning, decided my lane was better. I hit the brakes hard and the Infiniti was magnificent. Very little front end dip and the ABS enabled me to steer clear. Driving into the San Bernardino mountains brought out the best in the Infiniti. The instant power made passing slowing traffic safe. Truly a sedan for those who are looking for some fun, some substance, and good fuel economy in a safe package.

Young working woman’s view: The price may appear a little dear, but the standard equipment is abundant. Outside of the sophisticated hybrid system Infiniti offers iPod slots, USB integration, Bluetooth speakerphone, a six speaker stereo system, single in dash CD player and XM satellite radio. If you opt for the premium packages you own a high resolution 8-inch monitor, a Bose 5.1 audio package with speakers in the seat, and voice controls among other goodies. The system provides you with traffic conditions around your location and alerts you to extreme weather conditions. The price is too much for me, I prefer the smaller G37 model, but when I marry right this would be on my gift list.

Young working male’s view: It is all about numbers. Infiniti’s hybrid system uses a seven-speed automatic transmission and a the drivetrain produces 360 hp at 6,500 rpm. The EPA grants it ratings of 29 mpg combined. We always got better fuel numbers.The M can use the electric only mode for up to 50 percent of the time. The Infiniti has a 1.4-kwh lithium-ion battery pack that can provide acceleration up to 60 mph and be engaged up to 50 percent of driving time. There’s more numbers, but the best one may be that it is a Guinness record holder for the world’s fastest hybrid in a quarter mile at just over 13 seconds.

Family conference: Not many cars offer you understated elegance, performance, and the ability to get over 30 mpg while it keeping you informed of world events. If that isn’t enough, the Infiniti offers XM Radio, a Zagat restaurant guide, and a 9.3GB Music Box hard drive. You can have it all.

 

The Low Down on Hybrids

The Low Down on Hybrids

by The Car Family

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http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/

There are over 35 hybrids on the market from the new Toyota Prius C for under $20,000 to the Lexus and BMW hybrids at over $100,000. Gas mileage varies all hybrid models can vary from  over 50 to 21 mpg depending on the size of the vehicle and its use of the electric motors. What they promise is more power for less petroleum dollar. They aren’t offering a free lunch, but a healthier one. Most of these vehicles are capable of a 500 round-trip without even looking at the gas gauge. In town they are even more fuel friendly in daily commutes with 40 mpg and up figures common.

As usual, there is a trade-off and that is the fact the battery packs wear out and can be expensive to replace. Toyota charges about $2500 plus installation, but that expense could go down over time. Kia and Hyundai have announced a limited life time warranty on its’ batteries. Regardless, with gas around $4 a gallon and high resale values on used hybrids, it is financially well worth your time to consider a hybrid.

Kia’s Optima and Hyundai’s Sonata hybrids combine a 2.4-liter engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, a 30-kw electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries to provide 206 horsepower and 35 city /40 highway and 37 mpg combined figures. Both have lots of features but the trunk space is limited.

If you need a tough SUV, Volkswagen’s new Touareg hybrid is an option worth considering. It is expensive, but very fast, especially considering it is rated at 20 mpg city and 24 highway and has a 7700 pound towing rating.

Toyota’s gas savers are the Prius and the plug-in Prius. Both are gas misers with 50 mpg ratings. We were able to get over 60 mpg with the new plug-in version. Easy to love, but if you need more room the Prius V is a larger version with a station wagon design. It will cost you ten miles per gallon, but may be worth it for those who need to haul those Mastiffs to the vet.

The Chevrolet Malibu Eco assist has 25/27/37 ratings. The Malibu is am excellent family sedan and the interior and ride are exception for a vehicle priced around $26,000. General Motors calls this a soft hybrid because the battery pack alone cannot power the sedan. The interior is grand and the ride exceptional. This is perhaps the best family sedan Chevrolet has ever made for the price.

At the other end of the family hauler hybrid category is the Infiniti M35h Hybrid with a MSRP north of $50,000 and fuel economy ratings of 27/29/32 mpg city/highway. The rear wheel drive Infiniti is another very fast hybrid and can use its battery power for long periods of time in traffic. It handles well and the leather-wrapped interior is very smart. Perhaps the best of the luxury hybrid sedans and certainly one of the fastest ever with 0 to 60 times in a little over five seconds. Wow. And we got 32 mpg in mixed driving. A wonder car.

Mom:s view: With all new Toyota Camry hybrid raises the bar for family hybrids with a starting price around $26,000 and room for five adults. It clearly is better than the Ford products at this moment. I didn’t like the Kia or Hyundai as much as the Prius plug-in and the Chevrolet. If I just wanted to save on gas I would get the Prius, if I wanted more comfort the Chevrolet would be my choice.The Kia and Hyundai are good looking, easy to use, but not as smooth as the others. No doubt the non-hybrid versions are nearly as frugal and less expensive.

Dad’s view: The Touareg was a wonder. It is very powerful and handles any conditions you can throw at it with ease. This Volkswagen is loaded with special features that makes it ideas for those with homes in the the mountains or who like off-roading. It has a very large fuel tank which can make most weekend trips fill-up free. However, my favorite was the Toyota Prius plug-in. If you stick with the base model it is $33,000, but you lose your spare tire as the extra battery pack goes there. We drove one to Santa Barbara and back and had over 100 miles left and the gas tank only holds 10.6 gallons.

Young working woman’s view: Call me stuffy, but I love the Infiniti and its glorious interior and peppy ride. This car is luxurious with just the right touch of dignity and economy to justify the expense. The reality is that the Kia or Hyundai are more in my price range. I really like the Hyundai best in looks and feel. The transmission was a bit hesitant at times, but the exterior, ride, and cost make it well worth the payments. If I had a family the Chevrolet would easily be my choice. It is the only one that really makes it easy to put in a car seat outside of the mundane Camry and expensive Infiniti. However, if I had the means the glorious interior and jet like performance of the Infiniti would be in under my car port and a lucky girl I would be.

Infiniti Interior

Young working male’s view: I like the look of the Kia, but the handy nature of the Chevrolet makes it my choice in terms of pricing, mileage and interior space. Before you go car hunting I would spend some time getting a fix on what options you want because these hybrids are pretty well loaded and so spending extra may not be necessary.

Family conference: The average commute for readers is over 40 miles and with weekend trips to the beach putting 20,000 miles a year on a vehicle is not uncommon. If that is the case these hybrids could save you a couple of thousand dollars a year on fuel.

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2008 Infiniti G35 Sports Sedan: Ready to Rumble

Infiniti G35 Sport: Ready to Rumble

By The Car Family

for more reviews go to

http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/home/best-new-cars-for-2008/

It looks innocuous enough when compared to the zillions of G35 sedans circulating on the highways these days. Just a little lower stance and a few doodads separate it from its more mundane relative the non-S. However, once inside Infiniti has left nothing of the pedestrian feel of its softer brother. If you can learn how to shift the six-speed transmission properly this car can blow the doors and everything else off of the BMW sedans not wearing a M label and for far less money. Remember the caveat, if you can learn to shift the transmission properly. The clutch has a high take up and it takes time, a lot of time, to learn how to match the playful engine with the clutch, maneuver that shift linkage properly, and hopefully don’t stall, or spin the tires, or fry the clutch. In traffic it is tiresome so we highly recommend the automatic transmission where you can use the paddle shifters and not worry about your self-image so much.

Other than that, don’t bring a fat fanny to the dance. The Infiniti sports seats are tight and meant to hold you. Unfortunately, you might find yourself sitting on one seat bolster while your other cheek rests in the flat part of the cushion despite the many adjustments offered. At least Infiniti moved the electric seat adjustments from under your thigh to the side of the seat. Unfortunately, if you have large hands or a large ring the chances of reaching these controls is not the easiest in the world.

Okay, enough negative vibes, how does this sport sedan, built on the chassis of Nissan’s 350Z sports car handle on a daily basis? The answer is that it is perhaps the best practical sports sedan for the money. The real question is whether or not you need a car meant to handle corners and canyons, with room for five adults that costs $40,000 and needs premium fuel to give you about 20 mpg? We feel it is a terrific compromise of speed, sport, and spiffiness. Unfortunately, the BMW worshipers might pass this model by in their hurry to spend $10,000 more for similar performance, handling, and interior room from the 535i 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cylinder turbo model.

Mom’s view: This is quite an attractive automobile both inside and out. Although the placement of the CD changer in the trunk does interfere with taller packages, there is still ample storage for most needs, but if you are going to be traveling with a family check it out before you buy to make sure it is adequate. It is easy to open the rear hatch. Unfortunately, the rear seats don’t fold down to extend the trunk space. The hatch is very easy to open rear hatch with a low liftover height.

I found the manual transmission easy to shift, but the clutch was difficult to modulate. Still, the 3500 pound sedan with its 268 ft lb of torque could be lugged down considerably without having to be shifted and was quick to rev into its favorite power range about 6000 rpm. A very exceptional engine and quite a willing partner to all sorts of speed related tasks once its tank was topped off with premium fuel. Look for a range of 300 miles with the 16.7-gallon tank.

The interior is quite nice. As usual Infiniti has the best rear view monitor system in the business. It is easy to use, and those wonderful overlay curves show where the car will go when placed in reverse. The gauges are easy to use, but the stereo functions can be a bit confusing at first. The most dismaying ergonomic question I have is how anyone can comfortable reach down between the door and seat to reach the electric controls for the seat? Luckily, according to my current husband, I don’t have a large diamond or my hand would barely fit. At least it is better than on previous models where your dress would cover the controls located next to the seat. If you were remotely hefty your thigh would be in the way.

The trim and the leather are nice to the touch and have a sporty look to them. The night lighting is quite good and the headlights are excellent. The windshield wipers cover a great deal of glass and the controls are easy to adjust. The seating position offers a good view in all directions. I find the Infiniti’s interior just a tad below the Audi’s, but still among the best, as I like the understated look. The horn is only average, but the brakes are awesome.

The air-conditioning works well, but the heater is a little tardy to the task on cold days. It is a good thing that the heated seats are available, but even they don’t offer enough warmth compared to the Saab. The automatic climate control does do a nice job of keeping those in the front seat comfortable, but the back seat could use more interior vents or larger ones. The trip computer has the usual helpful readouts such as fuel mileage and miles to empty and the seven-inch center-dash LCD monitor is easy to view. The keyless entry is a nice feature and all you have to do is hit the large start button to have some serious fun.

Overall, this is quite an attractive package and you can equip it as a very sporty ride or an audiophile’s dream depending on your option choices. Clearly this Infiniti can keep pace with the BWM and I like its interior much better. It is the best family sedan for those who care about price and love performance.

Dad’s view: Infiniti’s G35 is a winner. Pure and simple. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine puts out 306 horsepower and either a six-speed manual or five speed automatic send the power to the rear differential without hesitation. The engine is so strong you can keep it in sixth gear at most every speed. On the other hand, we left it in fifth gear by mistake several times because the engine is so quiet and we were so relaxed we never checked the tachometer. The automatic transmission has F1-style paddle shifters on the steering wheel and is a lot easier to live with as the clutch action can wear on you with the manual version.

We had the Sport edition and we liked it a great deal. You can also get the G as an entry level Journey version or with all wheel drive, the G35x with heated seats. Standard features abound with Intelligent Key, front side and curtain airbags, traction and stability control, and ABS on the four-wheel-disc brakes. Add to that dual-zone climate control and a stereo with six-CD in-dash changer and you have a nicely turned out sedan. The Sport edition adds 18-inch tires, an iPod integration system, and satellite radio as well as a stiffened suspension/stability system, a viscous limited-slip differential, sport seats. There is an optional four-wheel active steer system and lots of entertainment features for a few more dollars. It is easy to push the base $32,000 Infiniti into the low $40,000 range if you aren’t careful.

The real story here is the great handling and the engine. The V6 has 3.5 liters, a 10.6 compression ratio with double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft, four valves per cylinder, multi-point injection fuel, and provides 306 horsepower at 6800 rpm with 268 feet of torque at 4800 rpm. Best of all this engine meets California’s stringent ULEV II rating, almost the best you can get and this is a performance car no less. Excellent. except, we could only get about 20 mpg on premium even though the government indicates a 17-mpg city and 24 mpg highway rating. Perhaps it was that inviting performance awaiting our command that detracted from our getting better fuel mileage.

Driving the Infiniti Sport is very rewarding. You can slide the rear a little as the traction/stability system accommodates such deeds to some extent, and the steering has a positive feel with just a touch of understeer at the limit. You can feel bumps and frost heaves, but they are well dampened. In other words, this is the buddy you have been waiting for to sneak out of the house and have a good time with.

College going male’s view: The Infiniti has some inspiring digital music options that may require more thought than usual when making a purchase. You can get an internal hard drive for navigation and a Music Box feature as well as your iPod and CompactFlash and Bluetooth compatibilities. The sound is quite good with the Premium package Bose audio system and a nice subwoofer. You can store a copious number of tunes on the hard drive with over nine GBs at your command. You can even copy CDs using Infiniti’s Music Box option. I don’t see the value in it as I do my own, but for some music fantastic it might be worth the effort. The LCD screen is easy to read and does not suffer from as much glare as some units. If all else fails there is also XM satellite radio and the Bluetooth has voice commands for cell phone use, too, especially when many areas are requiring hands free phone systems.

Understated is the best way to describe the G35, which is a shame in a way because this is one frollicy ride. The engine is more entertaining the faster it consumers fuel and it is perhaps fortunate that the modern look is muted by the more mundane G sedans so as not to draw attention from the saviors of our highways.

I saved the best for last as our G35 Infiniti had a system that lists traffic problems in the area of the car thanks to live traffic reporting through the unit. It was great. You could see where there was a problem and avoid it by using its Traffic Detour selection on the GPS unit. It even showed the roads that were impacted in different colors based on average speeds. Stick to the green ones, even when they take you into the lesser traveled areas because this Infiniti is fun to drive and with the fast acting GPS it just stepped into first place ahead of Honda for the best such unit. The system even has a text-to-speech feature that calls out the names of the streets and you can ask it to find local points of interests, too. The map includes a choice of a bird’s eye view that we like or the more conventional one. The upgrade audio system has ten-inch woofers and some impressive statistics for its digital audio converter. All told, a first rate system, but not the best probably because of the interior’s acoustics. I find that vehicles with larger interiors tend to be a better venue for top flight units to express themselves in.

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Young woman’s view: Lots of pricey options push the base $32,050 Infiniti G35 sedan into plusher vehicle territory if you aren’t careful. The audio packed Premium option adds $2,500 and that does not include the $2100 navigation system. If you want the Sports package with its wonderfully reactive feel, albeit a bit too stiff legged at times, you are going to be paying nearly $40,000 for this Infiniti. Since the Infiniti line is a luxury line I would get them all and have an entertaining time and at least get to know where my payments are going.

You can get five adults in the G, but make sure those in the back seat aren’t plus sized. The trunk has a tight opening making it difficult to get awkward packages in easily. The visibility is good to the front, but the low spoiler on the sport version makes parking and low driveways a concern.

Family conference: With an automatic transmission and perhaps going with the Journey model rather than the more athletic Sport version, there is little doubt this is a terrific sedan. Unfortunately, the competition has upped the bar with the less expensive Mercedes Benz C300, the freshly designed Cadillac CTS, Audi’s A4, BMW 5 Series, and the Lexus ES 350 offering price competitive alternatives. However, none of these offers a combination of nimble, quick, and roomy in as great as abundance as the redone Infiniti. And don’t forget the G also comes as a cute coupe and with an all wheel drive sedan version.

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Infiniti M45: Fast and Elegant

2006 Infiniti M45

by The Car Family

for more reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/new/carreviews/index.html

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Infiniti’s M45 is a ready to romp luxury sports sedan that offers both technology and luxury at a price point in the $40,000-$50,000 range. It comes in four forms with our choice being the less expensive six-cylinder M35 version. Also available are an all wheel drive model, the V8 M45 with its 335 horsepower, and a sport model with Rear Active Steering.

Mom’s view: This is an executive vehicle and quite capable of handling any situation with its big V8 motivation, smooth five speed transmission, and abundance of features. It is pleasant to drive, but rear visibility is limited and the M45 is not that nimble when parking is tight. Safetywise you get ABS, vented disc brakes, an electronic braking assistance program, stability control, front and side airbags and side curtain airbags, active head restraints in front, a tire pressure monitor, and even a lane departure warning system. The seats are firm, but not Mercedes hard, and the feel of the interior fabrics, woods, and leathers, reassure you that this is a luxury vehicle.  Perhaps what spoils you most about Infiniti M ownership is a recognition “key” that alerts the car to your presence and unlocks the door and does a variety of other tasks prior to you pushing on the start pushing to ignite the engine. I never had to I fumble through my handbag looking for the key. Infiniti’s rear is its weak spot. The trunk lid does not open enough when the remote is used and you have to put your hand under the always dirty rear bumper to gain access. The trunk is also not that large with just 15 cubic feet of space. There is a ski pass through.

Dad’s view: This is a tightly bound, athletic sedan capable of getting to 60 mph in less than six seconds. The 5-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode slightly tames the 340 lb-ft of torque and you can reach 100 mph in a quarter mile. Standard features abound with leather upholstery, a 10-way adjustable memory capable driver’s seat, one-touch up-and-down power windows, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated outside mirrors. Although not light on its feet, the M is quite capable of matching more sporty cars when cornering.

College going male’s view:

The best option for me was the 14-speaker Bose Studio Surround sound system with digital 5.1 channel decoding. It was the finest stereo I have ever heard in a car that was not added on by an aftermarket tuner. Clear, concise, and readily capable. You must listen to this system. Period.  Those riding in the back seats with the Premium Package will find them heated and able to recline. There is also a DVD system with an LCD that folds out of the ceiling. By the way, if you have the DVD screen lowered it blocks the rear view mirror.

Young working woman’s view: Most interestingly, the optional lane departure system on the Infiniti uses a camera to detect lane markings and buzzes the driver when the car crosses that line. It is deactivated under 45 mph or when you use the turn signals. The M has a four year/60,000 mile warranty and the ranges from about $40,000 for the base M35 to $49,750 for the M45 Sport model.  I was frankly disappointed with the travel range with the Infiniti M45 as we barely got 350 miles on the 20-gallon tank before we had to sell another acre of land for fuel. Other than that I would highly recommend this vehicle to those who really like to drive.

Family conference: The Infiniti M Class is such a giant leap forward that it is hard to imagine why anyone interested in a sporty and luxurious vehicle would not consider it. For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com and click on business.