The Infiniti M45 is a quick luxury sedan for its era, but it isn’t a true sports car. It delivers strong V8 power and confident highway speed without the razor-sharp handling of purpose-built performance sedans.
When Infiniti introduced the M lineup in the early 2000s, the M45 aimed to combine refined luxury with genuine straight-line speed. This article looks at the M45's engine, acceleration, braking, handling, and how it stacks up against its peers, to answer how fast the car actually feels both then and today.
Performance snapshot
These core numbers define the M45’s speed potential and how it behaves on the road.
- Engine: 4.5-liter V8
- Horsepower: approximately 340 hp
- Torque: around 333 lb-ft
- Transmission: 5-speed automatic with manual shift mode
- Drive layout: rear-wheel drive (with limited availability of AWD that was not common for this model)
- Weight: roughly 4,000 pounds (about 1,800 kg)
- 0–60 mph: typically in the mid-5-second to just-over-6-second range, depending on year and condition
- Top speed: electronically limited to about 150 mph (roughly 240 km/h) in many markets
Taken together, these specifications point to a car that moves briskly in everyday driving and provides strong highway acceleration, but it remains a luxury sedan rather than a performance-focused machine.
On the road: handling and experience
In daily driving, the M45 emphasizes smooth, seamless power delivery from the V8. The ride leans toward comfort, with a refined interior and quiet cabin that suit long highway cruises. Braking is solid for a car of its era, but the M45’s substantial weight can dampen nimble handling and quick, aggressive maneuvers through tight corners.
There’s a balance to be struck: the M45 offers confident straight-line speed and a serene feel at speed, but it doesn’t aim to rival dedicated sports sedans in terms of agile cornering, steering sharpness, or track-ready suspension tuning.
How it compares to peers (context and balance)
Compared with contemporaries like other V8-powered luxury sedans of the mid-2000s, the M45 often wins on smoothness and engine character, delivering a strong, linear surge of power. It typically trails behind in handling precision and technology maturity that modern rivals offer. For buyers seeking a combination of luxury refinement and genuine straight-line acceleration, the M45 remains a compelling option; for those prioritizing sport-oriented dynamics, other models from that era or newer cars may be preferable.
Bottom line: is it fast by today’s standards?
By the standards of its debut era, the Infiniti M45 was punchy and brisk, with a powerful V8 that gave it strong straight-line speed and confident highway performance. Today’s fast luxury sedans—especially newer models with advanced powertrains and lighter materials—outpace it in 0–60 times and dynamic agility. The M45 remains appealing as a vintage-flavored daily driver with generous power and comfort, rather than a modern performance rocket.
In sum, the Infiniti M45 is fast for a luxury sedan of its time, offering substantial power and a relaxing, refined ride. It isn’t a sports car, but its V8 grunt and smooth operation made it feel quick when new—and it can still surprise on a sunny highway or long stretch of road today.
Summary: The Infiniti M45 delivers solid, era-appropriate speed with a focus on luxury and smooth power. If you’re evaluating it as a collectible or as a used daily driver, expect confident acceleration and a premium interior, but don’t expect extreme agility or track-ready performance by modern standards.