Edmunds Daily

Infiniti

October 13, 2009

Recalled: 143,223 Nissan and Infiniti Vehicles

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Nissan and Infiniti have recalled 143,223 vehicles due to a potential defect with the tire pressure monitor system (TPMS). Affected are Infiniti M35 and M45 vehicles made in model years 2008-2010; Nissan Cubes and Muranos made in model year 2009; and Nissan Rogues made in model year 2008.

According to NHTSA, road salt could cause the nut used to secure the TPMS' sensor-transmitter to corrode or crack. If the TPMS lamp is disregarded and drivers continue to pilot the vehicle in this condition, they could get a flat tire, and an accident could occur. Because of the nature of this defect, only vehicles sold in cold-weather states have been recalled.

The defective nut will be replaced by Nissan and Infiniti dealers free of charge, and the recall is set to officially kick off on or before November 9. For more information, owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 and Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.

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October 7, 2009

Infiniti News: FX Priced, M35 Hybrid Confirmed

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What's the opposite of an infinite regress? While you're pondering that one, here's some news about Infiniti's progress -- on two fronts.

First, the 2010 FX has been priced: the 2010 FX35 has been boosted slightly to $42,400 for RWD ($43,600 for AWD), while the 2010 FX50 is unchanged at $58,400. It has also been improved: changes include standard Bluetooth, hard-drive music storage even for models without the hard-drive-based navigation system, and an in-dash DVD audio/video drive for nav-equipped models. Minimal price adjustments plus useful upgrades equals progress in our book.

Second, the M35 Hybrid has been officially confirmed as a member of the new M sedan lineup slated for the 2011 model year. Boasting a 3.5-liter V6 enhanced by an electric motor, the M35 Hybrid is a true "dual-mode" hybrid, meaning it can run solely on its electric motor at low speeds. Infiniti claims that the car's "laminated" lithium-ion battery pack offers twice the power of conventional packs. Check out Inside Line's coverage for more details.

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October 5, 2009

Edmunds Technology Review: 2009 Infiniti FX35 RWD

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The Infiniti FX35 isn't for everybody. Compared to more cookie-cutter crossovers, the FX35 -- with its rakish rear pillar and unorthodox exterior styling -- exudes the attitude that it can take you on a ride that other crossovers can't. Why else would Edmunds' staff of normally circumspect scribes have fallen for the FX35's higher-end sibling, the FX50, as evidenced by the many Long-Term Road Test blog posts.

While the FX35 we tech tested doesn't have the full complement of cool tech that our LT FX50 is laden with, it has plenty of bells and whistles to go along with its exterior bling and performance prowess. But all these extras don't come cheap and are packaged so that you can't cherry-pick what you want. Our test vehicle topped out at $46,955 after starting out at $40,950, with the extra $5k consisting of two pricey but extensive options packages.

Continue reading...

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July 30, 2009

Deal of the Week: Infiniti EX35

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The Infiniti G37 sedan is generally well-received amongst the staff here at Edmunds. Two of the few criticisms include a less-than-class-leading interior and a trunk that falls a few cubic feet short of ideal.

For the 2008 model year, Infiniti introduced the EX35. This is a vehicle that, for all intents and purposes, is a G-wagon. While its passenger and cargo room can't match competitors like the Acura RDX, Audi Q5 or Volvo XC60, it does offer interior appointments that challenges (and may in fact exceed) most vehicles in its class. In this aspect, it is also superior to the G-sedan it is based on.

Another way it is superior to the G37 is in its available incentives. These incentives can help make it less expensive to buy or lease than the G37, or any of the EX35's competition. Read about these incentives after the jump.

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June 5, 2009

Edmunds Roundup: June 5, 2009

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The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.

Green Car Advisor: Toyota to Begin Leasing Plug-in Prius Hybrids
Toyota announced that they will begin leasing a plug-in version of their wildly popular Prius Hybrid before the end of the year. Worldwide, there will only be 500 initial examples available, with 150 coming to the U.S. Sadly, these leases are intended primarily for government and corporate use. The plug-in Prius will utilize more expensive and efficient lithium-ion batteries than can be charged via a standard household outlet.

Inside Line: 2010 Honda Pilot Price Increases, But Only Slightly
Even though there are no significant changes for the 2010 Honda Pilot, prices have edged just a bit higher. Depending on which model you choose, the price will hop $150 - $300.

Straightline: Pricing Announced for the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible
The drop-top version of Infiniti's G37 will set you back a cool $44,715 for the base model -- about $7,000 more than the standard coupe variant. Like most Infiniti/Nissan products, options are bundled in large, expensive and inflexible packages, so look for prices to climb quickly if you want a few added features.

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May 29, 2009

Edmunds Roundup: May 29, 2009

2010 Cadillac SRX Photo by David Freers

Straightline
GM Slashes Prices for All-New 2010 Cadillac SRX

When the completely redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX arrives in showrooms this summer it will bare a price tag that's $7,000 cheaper than the car it replaces. With a price tag of $34,155, the new, smaller SRX is now in the ballpark of the surprisingly afordable Mercedes-Benz GLK350.

Also in that ballpark is the 2009 Infiniti EX35, which gets a price increase to $34,665 for this year.

Karl on Cars
Death or Euthanasia? Cars I Won't Be Missing
Editor in Chief Karl Brauer examines the many models (and makes) that'll soon be sent to the big junkyard in the sky -- and how he won't be attending their funeral.

Edmunds.com
Is a Higher Gas Tax the Better Way to Lower Fuel Consumption?
Once only a passing discussion on The West Wing and within environmentalist circles, raising the national gasoline tax to curb fuel consumption is a now growing debate throughout the country ... and the Edmunds blogosphere.

Green Car Advisor
Time for a Gas Tax Increase Is Now, But Delay Imposition Until Recession Eases

Is CAFE Needed Consider Prodding the Public Rather Than Pushing Automakers

Edmunds AutoObserver
Higher Gas Tax Could Drive Buyers to Fuel-Effiency, Edmunds C.E.O. Says  

Edmunds Daily
Raise the Federal Gas Tax?

Straightline
Energy Secretary Calls Gas Tax "Not Politcally Feasible"

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May 15, 2009

Edmunds Roundup: May 15, 2009

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Inside Line: Nissan Hikes Price on 2010 Infiniti QX56
As sales plummet for Nissan's brick-like QX56, there seems to be no price break in sight. Nissan announced that the price of admission has jumped an additional $1,000 -- now a hefty $56,915 for the base model. Savvy shoppers will note however, that haggling for the best price is always recommended.


Green Car Advisor: Future EV Stations Could Make Battery Swaps Faster than Pumping Gas
Silicon Valley-based company Better Place (really, that's their name?), demonstrated a prototype of a filling station worthy of the 21st century. This station will remove a depleted battery from an electric vehicle and replace it with a fully charged unit quicker than it takes to pump 10 gallons of gas -- and it's completely automated. If the company prevails, and EV manufacturers are on board (with Nissan being a prime candidate), gas stations will go the way of your childhood pet -- that is, they'll be in a better place...


Straightline: Edmunds.com Dishes on the Best Values to CNBC
Edmunds New York-based director of strategic marketing, John Giamalvo, announced on CNBC that now is still a great time to buy a car. He also revealed the best values in cars today, after factoring in insurance, maintenance, depreciation and financing.

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April 28, 2009

Tech Tuesdays: Infiniti Adds Two New Layers to its "Safety Shield" of Protection

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Infiniti already offers an alphabet soup of innovative accident-prevention technologies: Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) and Distance Control Assist (DCA). The luxury car company recently gave Edmunds the opportunity to try out the next two layers of its "Safety Shield" concept -- Side Collision Prevention (SCP) and Back-up Collision Prevention (BCP) -- at the Nissan Technical Center North America in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Better known as NTCNA, of course.

Infiniti unveiled the two new technologies on its Essence concept at this year's Geneva Auto Show, but we got a chance to experience them firsthand in what the company calls its All-Around Collision-Free Prototype, a specially equipped FX50. While not yet scheduled to appear on production vehicles, SCP and BCP will eventually fill in a couple of gaps in Infiniti's Safety Shield and further help drivers avoid hitting other vehicles --- and pedestrians.

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April 14, 2009

10 Minivan Substitutes

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The 2009 Ford Flex is not your mother's minivan.

Look up the word "dowdy" in the dictionary, and you'll probably see a picture of a Honda Odyssey (or any one of its segment-mates). Happily, minivans aren't the only choice these days for drivers seeking safe family transportation that seats up to eight.

Check out our top 10 minivan substitutes if you're looking to break away from the sliding-door set. 

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April 9, 2009

Deal of the Week - Infiniti M35

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The Infiniti M35 sedan is a vehicle that is typical of the mid-sized luxury class, as it blends the sportiness of a compact sport sedan with the amenities and space of larger full-size luxury sedans. While it is all-too easy to be a jack of all trades and a master of none, the M35 is able to side-step this pitfall quite gracefully as it offers stout V6 power, a refined powertrain, adept handling, comfortable and handsome interior and a long list of luxury features. The few negatives include a noisier-than-average highway ride and overly complicated center stack controls. Of course, one of the best ways to overcome an objectionable attribute is to offer a compelling price, and this month Infiniti is offering exactly that. Read on to see what Infiniti is doing to motivate you into buying an M35.

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April 7, 2009

Tech Tuesdays: The Latest and Greatest Auto Safety Technology

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We live in an age in which car gadgets allow us to do more than ever behind the wheel: make hands-free phone calls, receive and send text messages, search for the best gas prices and restaurants, listen to our entire music library and more. But of all the cool car technology available, the most significant advances are the ones that could save your life. Or at least a trip to the hospital or the body shop.

In a recent Edmunds feature, we highlight the latest safety technology from BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo that you'll see in showrooms soon. From cameras and sensors that help a driver see what's around a vehicle to Volvo's City Safety (shown above) that provides automatic braking in stop-and-go traffic, these innovative features represent the cutting-edge of available auto safety technology.

And could someday become as common as seatbelts and airbags.

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November 24, 2008

Comparison Test: Sport Sedan Shootout -- Two Wannabes, One Winner

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So you've got about $40 grand to play with, and...wait a minute. Actually, these days you probably don't. For that matter, neither do I or my cohorts in this comparative venture, Automotive Editor John DiPietro and Associate Editor Mark Takahashi. Nonetheless, what would you do if a 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD, a 2009 Infiniti G37 Journey and a 2009 Volkswagen CC VR6 4Motion magically appeared in your garage?

You'd grab the keys and head for the hills, that's what. And that's exactly what the three of us did. We mapped out a 22-mile driving loop through the Santa Monica mountains and hot-lapped it three times, switching cars after each circuit. Then we sat down with our ratings sheets, ordered up some bloody burgers and debated the virtues and vices of each ride.

Truth be told, there wasn't much disagreement. In fact, the final rankings were unanimous. Read on to find out how these midsize sport sedans stack up -- and don't be afraid to tell us what you think.

Continue reading...

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