2010 Infiniti M35 Review

Overview

The Infiniti M mid-size premium performance sports sedan enters essentially unchanged from 2009, when it received a new 303-horsepower VQ35HR 3.5-liter V6 for the M35, a new 7-speed automatic transmission for the M35 RWD model and numerous other enhancements. The 2010 Infiniti M35 is offered in rear-wheel drive or ATTESA E-TS all-wheel driven M35x. It takes on Lexus GS, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The M35 Premium Package is no longer available (applies to both M35 and M35x).

Power and performance

Both trims of the 2010 Infiniti M35 run on a 3.5-liter, 24-valve, V6 engine that pumps out 303 horsepower and 268 lb-ft. of torque. The engine block is made of crafted aluminum alloy and has a variable-flow induction system and low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons. The M35 comes with an electronically controlled seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control (ASC) and drive sport (DS) mode, while the M35x comes with a five-speed automatic transmission with drive sport (DS) mode, manual shift mode, and downshift rev matching.

Body and styling

Auto-on/off high intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlights with adaptive front lighting system (AFS); front fog lights; comprehensive airflow management for a low 0.28 coefficient of drag (Cd); power sliding tinted glass moonroof with one-touch open/close, tilt feature and sliding sunshade; UV-reducing tinted glass; remote power opening of windows; dual heated, power outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down and anti-glare coating; rain-sensing windshield wipers; rear doors that open 80 degrees; rear window defroster with timer, and dual exhaust with quad chrome outlets are some of the exterior features of the M35. For the interiors, the 2010 Infiniti M35 gets Intelligent Key with push button ignition; Bluetooth hands-free phone system; power door locks with automatic locking; power trunk release; illuminated entry system; front double sun visors and illuminated vanity mirrors; dual overhead front map lights, rear-seat reading lights; front armrest with storage compartment and 12-volt power outlet; leather-appointed, 10-way power driver's and front-passenger's seats with adjustable lumbar support; six-speaker audio system with AM/FM and XM satellite radio; and Fine Vision electroluminescent instrumentation among other features.

Safety Features

The Infiniti gets a host of safety features. These include the Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System; seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags; front-seat active head restraints; three-point height-adjustable front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters; front pre-crash seat belts that tighten under emergency braking; LATCH; a children's safety guide; electronic brake-force distribution (EBD); brake assist; four-wheel anti-lock braking system; traction control system; vehicle dynamic control; tire pressure monitoring system; Infiniti vehicle immobilizer system; lane departure warning; and vehicle security system among many others.