Login Register Sign up for the GRM e-newsletter

New car reviews » 2011 Infiniti M56

Better than: Lexus LS460
But not as good as: P71?
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 88.00  

There are a lot of flagship sedans out there, and we admit that the Infiniti M-series has been a bit off our radar. Yeah, it’s had rear-wheel drive and some nice powertrains, but it hasn’t really been aimed at our market. The M56 is new for 2010, and Infiniti has definitely captured our attention.

Our test car had the available 5.6-liter V8 backed by a seven-speed automatic transmission that automatically matches revs. More optional goodies: the Sport Touring package (upgraded tunes, mostly), the Sport package (245/40R20 tires, sport suspension and four-wheel active steering), and R Spec high-friction brake pads. (Seriously, it really came with upgraded pads, a $370 option.)

Other staff views:

David S. Wallens Editorial Director:

I did dig this one. While the basic mission might seem similar to that of the Lexus LS460, the Infiniti definitely feels sportier—and without being too harsh or too extreme. Everything about it made sense, too: excellent controls, great seats and few if any compromises asked. It gets bonus points for having an excellent exhaust note, too.

Tom Heath :

There are some really nice cars out there, and this Infiniti is among the nicest. With big power and good looks, this Infiniti checks a lot of boxes on any new car shopping list. For some reason, though, I couldn’t find myself falling in love with it, especially since the last few domestic performance/luxury cars we’ve tried are as appealing to me and cost a bit less.

Reader comments:

  1. integraguy: — Nov 3, 2010 5:58 p.m.

    Infiniti’s cars have been “all over the map” style-wise, since the brand was “hatched”….not always a bad thing. But some of the offerings have been a bit TOO bizarre (3rd and 4th gen. Q springs to mind) and unfortunately, they now look a bit too much like each other. YET, you have to love the Infiniti’s Japanese BMW to the Lexus’s Japanese M-B, for their sporty(sportier?) offerings and with their SUVs/crossovers? more adventurous styling.

    The only Infiniti I’ve ever owned/driven was a ‘92 G20 with a manual transmission. If I had the disposable income again….I’d look seriously at another G. Looks like I may have to “settle” for an I35.

2011 Infiniti M56 Specs:

Drivetrain Layout:
Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Engine:
5.6 liter V-8
Horsepower:
420 bhp at 6000 rpm
Torque:
417 lb.-ft at 4400 rpm
Transmission:
automatic
Brakes:
(front)
(rear)
Weight:
4028 pounds
Price:
Base: $46250
As tested: $64980

Staff Ratings:

Stock Performance:
****1/2
Performance Potential:
***1/2
Daily Driver Manners:
****1/2
Fit and Finish:
*****
Overall:
****1/2

Related Project Cars:

Save & Share:

What's this?

If you're reading this, you've probably seen these odd links with funny names somewhere on the site and want to know what they're all about. Well, prepare to feel a bit more Net savvy. Those links are what the geeks call "social networks."

Social networking sites allow you to store and share links and pages across the Internet. It's like taking your bookmarks list and being able to see it from any computer.

Even better, social networks allow you to steer friends, relatives, colleagues and pretty much anyone else to the cool stuff you've found, so they have something better to do online than watching the skateboarding squirrel video on YouTube for the thirtieth time. You're making the world a better place.

The only catch is that while all the social networks are free, you do have to register. Each site has a slightly different focus, so take a look through the links and see which service suits you best.