2011 Infiniti M Series

The M36X by Infiniti exudes luxury from start to finish. It is almost a nod to the classy cars (think Cadillac) of yesteryear. A spacious interior with beautiful details and fantastic control that leaves you feeling like you rule the road. 
 
Model Tested: 2011 M56X

Key Competitors: Mercedes E class, Lexus GS, BMW 5-series, Jaguar XF

Price: starting at $68,700

Urban Mom’s Rating: 3 of 4

Urban Mom Tester’s Topline: There is so much room in this car, you have to remind yourself it’s not an SUV. The roomy seats and high tech dashboard make it easy to fall in love with at first sight. So many great touches like the assisted entry and exit system that really help if you’re tall or wide.

Urban Kid’s Tester Topline: The back seat is more like a comfy sofa than the rear of a vehicle. My kids all mentioned how comfortable it was and there is certainly more than enough room for the kids, with car seats, etc. They also loved having so many gadgets for me to try out while they ooohed and aaahed from the back.

Exterior Features and Style: I kept thinking the M series reminded me of the Cadillac my grandparents had when I was a kid. Not in the ‘look at that boat’ kind of way – but in a ‘I’m a beautiful car and I’m in charge here’.

Interior Comfort and Style: A Forest Air system that duplicates the fresh breeze its name exudes; silver-powdered wood accenting; cooled & heated leather seating; wide, spacious interior. Comfort! It’s really something you have to test drive to believe. 
 
Storage: For a sedan there is loads of space does not leave you wanting for anything larger. With the rear seats down it has as much storage space as you could expect from a sedan.

 Drive: The M56X boasts a V8 with 420 horsepower. At times it almost felt difficult containing this car. It wanted to roar forward at every opportunity. With all the fancy cruise control toys and tons of power under the hood, it certainly has more of an opportunity to show off on wide open highways than in stop and go city traffic.
 
Bells and Whistles: The M series is stocked with so many fantastic upgrades. A wall of Bose speakers, including some embedded in the seatback; a blind spot warning system; laser guided cruise control; a 9GB music box storage system… the list goes on. I think we spent almost as much time in the driveway trying to learn all of the gadgetry as we did enjoying this car on the road.