Used 2012 INFINITI M Sedan

Like its siblings in the M lineup, the 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid's sheet metal resembles a gym rat's flexed bicep: bulging and intimidating. Given the way most hybrids handle, one might think that this model's assertive exterior amounts to criminally false advertising, but this isn't the case. Quick-witted reflexes and yikes! acceleration aren't ingredients typically found in the hybrid recipe book, but the M Hybrid is part of a new breed that promises to change the way we experience these fuel-minded machines.

In terms of both power and price, the M Hybrid lives between the Infiniti M37 and M56. We were able to drive the hybrid back-to-back against the M37 and find them almost identical in terms of handling, with both delivering the taut, lively performance you expect from a worthwhile sport sedan. What truly surprises us is the hybrid's acceleration capability. In Edmunds track testing, the M Hybrid bullet-trained to 60 mph from a standstill in just 5.2 seconds, a sprint time that's identical to that of the V8-equipped M56.

The dirty secret is that most hybrids don't make much sense economically, since they often come with price premiums that can take years — decades, even — to recoup in fuel savings relative to their gasoline-model equivalents. But the M Hybrid is an exception; here you get a car that holds its own performance-wise with the M56, while being less expensive and more fuel efficient. The M Hybrid also looks like a value proposition next to its most direct rival in the tiny hybrid luxury sedan segment, the Lexus GS 450h, offering sharper handling, quicker acceleration, superior fuel economy and a lower price tag.