Infiniti is the luxury branch of Nissan that produces a lineup of cars that toe the line between sporty/luxury. 2012 brings with it the introduction of the M35h, the first hybrid to come from Infiniti.
The entry-level G25 sedan and its all-wheel drive counterpart the G25x is very similar to the G37 but gets a smaller 2.5-liter V-6 mated to a standard seven-speed automatic and features superior fuel economy.
For more power and features, step up to the G37/G37x (all-wheel drive version), which is available as a sedan, coupe, or hard-top convertible. The sedan seats five, while the coupe and convertible seat four. It also adds the option of a six-speed manual, a hint at the G37’s sporty nature.
The M-series of sedans was redesigned last year and Infiniti separates them by engine/drivetrain. The M37/M37x (all-wheel drive) get a 330-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 while the M56/M56x feature a powerful, 420-hp, 5.6-liter V-8 for superior performance. New for 2012 is a third engine configuration that is found in the M35h (h for hybrid). The M35h's gas/electric hybrid drivetrainputs out a total of 360-hp which means it’s no slouch off the line and also returns superior fuel economy of 27/32 mpg city/highway.
The M sedans all come with a long list of standard equipment that includes USB/iPod connectivity, power front seats, a moonroof, and a backup camera.
There is also a quartet of crossovers/SUVs that round out Infiniti’s offerings.
The EX35 is a midsize five-seat luxury crossover that comes well-equipped and also offers a few cutting-edge safety technologies, like the optional Around View Monitor system which uses cameras on the outside of the vehicle to provide a complete top-down view of the EX35 and eliminates blind spots when parking.
The FX35 and FX50 are “high-performance luxury crossovers” according to Infiniti. They are separated by what lies under the hood. In the case of the FX35, it has a 303-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 while the FX50 gets a larger 390-hp, 5.0-liter V-8. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the FX35, but the FX50 gets an all-wheel drive system standard. As is often the case with Infinitis, the standard features list is long on both vehicles and includes Bluetooth® connectivity, automatic dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power liftgate.
By far the largest vehicle Infiniti makes the QX56 full-size SUV seats up to eight passengers and was redesigned last year with a look that makes it more similar to the other models in the lineup. The QX56 comes with a 400-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The aforementioned Around View Monitor system is also optional and is very helpful on a vehicle of this size.
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