Used 2011 INFINITI M37

If the 2011 Infiniti M37 hopes to make a name for itself alongside world-class luxury cars, it has to get you excited to walk into the garage. It has to impress and cosset your passengers. And most importantly, it has to be as good as, if not better than, competitors like the BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. But does the M37 do all that?

It starts with more distinct styling that has muscular bulges and organic curves in place of the old M35's rather slab-sided anonymity. Although it is certainly a unique look in the class, some have commented it looks too similar to lesser vehicles in the Infiniti line. Can't that be said for the BMW and Mercedes as well?

So it has the visual potential to excite you, but can its performance and handling do the same? With a 3.7-liter V6 sending 330 horsepower to the rear wheels, the answer is a definite "yes," as it brings more power to the party than its competitors do. The previous M was actually one of the best-handling cars in the class, so this new 2011 M simply needs to not mess things up.

Trying to impress and pamper your passengers? Well, the Infiniti badge may not do much for snobbier acquaintances, but the new cabin is certainly capable of cosseting them. Like the exterior, there is a more organic look to the M than its German competitors, and its materials are splendid. You have to work hard to find a surface that isn't squishy or covered in leather. An epically long list of available high-tech features puts this new M at the forefront of in-car electronics.

So the 2011 Infiniti M37 seems to have the potential to be as good as, if not better than, the competition. But potential is a lot different from reality. While the M37 may look good on paper and in the steel, as well as present a good price on the window sticker, it just doesn't live up to its potential. In final analysis, we wouldn't pass up a 5 Series, E-Class or XF in favor of this new Infiniti.