The 2009 Infiniti M45 is a midsize luxury car comparable to the Cadillac CTS and Lincoln MKS domestically. Foreign competition includes the Lexus GS, Audi A6, Volvo S80, BMW 5-Series, Jaguar XF Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class from Europe and the Acura TL from its native Japan. It also includes the Korean made Hyundai Genesis.

The M45, basically unchanged from 2008, is a true luxury car. The sharp and sporty M45 is better looking in the exterior than most Japanese cars, while the interior is inspired by a piano keyboard and has satin finish rosewood trim (the same wood the most beautiful guitars are made from). With a lane departure system, push button starting, rear active steering and similar innovations, Infiniti calls it their most technologically advanced vehicle ever.

The engine in the M45 is a 4.5 liter, 325 horsepower gasoline powered V8 and comes with a five-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. It is available in either rear wheel or all wheel drive. Rear wheel drive gets 16 miles per gallon in town and 21 miles per gallon on the road, while the all wheel drive version, known as the M45x, gets 14 and 20, respectively. The fuel economy is decent for a V8 luxury car.

Infiniti is also ahead of its class in front legroom, which is important in a midsize car. However, this Infiniti version is behind the curve in horsepower and not quite as wide as the average luxury car. As you would expect with Infiniti, the ride quality, comfort, handling and detailing of the M45 is all above class average.

NHTSA ratings are not available on the M45 for either 2008 or 2009. However, the IIHS ratings are G (best possible) straight across. As you would expect from a luxury vehicle, all the top safety features are available. These include child safety locks, anti-theft system, antilock brakes with traction control, electronic braking assistance and stabilization system, electronic parking aid, first aid kit, inside trunk release and airbags everywhere.

The 2009 Infiniti M45 has a base price of $52,150, which is well below the class average for luxury cars. Even the M45x base price of $54,650 looks cheap comparatively. Of course, that average takes into account the larger luxury vehicles. When you consider only the midsize luxury vehicles, the M45 actually comes up close to the high end. Still, the Japanese know how to put the luxury in luxury vehicle, and if that's what you want, it might be worth it.