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2004
INFINITI M45

Starts at:
$43,250
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New 2004 INFINITI M45
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Notable features

340-hp, 4.5-liter V-8
Five-speed automatic
Full-size dimensions
Premium amenities
RWD layout

The good & the bad

The good

Performance
Ride comfort
Interior space
Handling

The bad

Throttle response
Uninspired styling
Fuel economy
Price
Slippery-surface traction

Expert 2004 INFINITI M45 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview
Introduced for the 2003 model year, the M45 full-size sedan from Nissan’s luxury division occupies a spot in both size and price just below Infiniti’s flagship Q45. Borrowed from the Q45 sedan, the M45’s 4.5-liter V-8 engine produces 340 horsepower. A five-speed-automatic transmission incorporates a manual-shift mode.

Billed by the automaker as a “luxury performance sedan,” the rear-wheel-drive M45 has a four-wheel-independent suspension. Five passengers can enjoy Sojourner leather seating surfaces, and the front occupants get sport-contoured bucket seats. Options include a DVD-based navigation system and a voice recognition system.

A full-size spare tire and tire-pressure monitor become standard for 2004, and the six-CD changer moves from the glove box to an in-dash position. Standard heated mirrors have a selectable reverse tilt-down feature.

Exterior
Even though the M45 doesn’t look dramatically different from other models in its class, Infiniti focused on its sculpted wedge shape. Mark McNabb, general manager of the Infiniti division, referred to the sedan’s “strong, integrated appearance, as if carved from one piece of stone, with strong, ‘stealthy’ lines.” The front end is low and wide and features what Infiniti calls an aggressive grille. It is characterized by its wide, black, chrome horizontal bars that flow into the headlights.

Chrome door handles and body-colored side moldings and outside mirrors are installed. Clear-reflector taillights match the car’s xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights.

Riding a 110.2-inch wheelbase, the M45 measures 197.2 inches long overall, 69.7 inches wide and 57.6 inches tall. The sedan is equipped with power-vented disc brakes and speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering. Aluminum wheels hold P235/45R18 all-season Michelin tires, and performance tires will be available as a no-cost option.

Interior
Sojourner leather seating surfaces are provided for five occupants, and sport-contoured bucket seats are available up front. The driver gets an eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat is equipped with a four-way setup. Heated and cooled front seats are optional. Bird’s-eye maple wood interior trim comes in a smoke graphite color, and the gauges are illuminated in orange.

A 225-watt Bose premium audio system uses cassettes and also has a six-CD changer. Intelligent Cruise Control uses lasers to sense vehicles ahead and then adjusts vehicle speed to maintain a selected distance. The trunk holds 13.4 cubic feet of cargo. Like other Infiniti models, the M45 is fitted with a telematics system.

Under the Hood
Like the Q45, the M45 is powered by a 4.5-liter dual-overhead-cam V-8 engine that generates 340 hp and 333 pounds-feet of torque. An electronically controlled five-speed-automatic transmission incorporates a manual-shift mode. Dual exhaust outlets are standard.

Safety
Dual-stage front airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags, and side curtain-type airbags for the front and rear passengers are standard. Antilock brakes include brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution. A standard Vehicle Dynamic Control system improves stability. The front seats have active head restraints.

Driving Impressions
A smooth, luxurious ride is the No. 1 trait in the M45, which looks and feels awfully large. But its handling is reasonably secure and tautly controlled, so you get a hint of sporty behavior along with plush road-going softness. The V-8 provides plenty of power, but responsiveness falls short of some sedans in this league. Interior space is bountiful.

 

Reported by Jim Flammang  for cars.com;
Posted on 9/26/03

2004 INFINITI M45 review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview
Introduced for the 2003 model year, the M45 full-size sedan from Nissan’s luxury division occupies a spot in both size and price just below Infiniti’s flagship Q45. Borrowed from the Q45 sedan, the M45’s 4.5-liter V-8 engine produces 340 horsepower. A five-speed-automatic transmission incorporates a manual-shift mode.

Billed by the automaker as a “luxury performance sedan,” the rear-wheel-drive M45 has a four-wheel-independent suspension. Five passengers can enjoy Sojourner leather seating surfaces, and the front occupants get sport-contoured bucket seats. Options include a DVD-based navigation system and a voice recognition system.

A full-size spare tire and tire-pressure monitor become standard for 2004, and the six-CD changer moves from the glove box to an in-dash position. Standard heated mirrors have a selectable reverse tilt-down feature.

Exterior
Even though the M45 doesn’t look dramatically different from other models in its class, Infiniti focused on its sculpted wedge shape. Mark McNabb, general manager of the Infiniti division, referred to the sedan’s “strong, integrated appearance, as if carved from one piece of stone, with strong, ‘stealthy’ lines.” The front end is low and wide and features what Infiniti calls an aggressive grille. It is characterized by its wide, black, chrome horizontal bars that flow into the headlights.

Chrome door handles and body-colored side moldings and outside mirrors are installed. Clear-reflector taillights match the car’s xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights.

Riding a 110.2-inch wheelbase, the M45 measures 197.2 inches long overall, 69.7 inches wide and 57.6 inches tall. The sedan is equipped with power-vented disc brakes and speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering. Aluminum wheels hold P235/45R18 all-season Michelin tires, and performance tires will be available as a no-cost option.

Interior
Sojourner leather seating surfaces are provided for five occupants, and sport-contoured bucket seats are available up front. The driver gets an eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat is equipped with a four-way setup. Heated and cooled front seats are optional. Bird’s-eye maple wood interior trim comes in a smoke graphite color, and the gauges are illuminated in orange.

A 225-watt Bose premium audio system uses cassettes and also has a six-CD changer. Intelligent Cruise Control uses lasers to sense vehicles ahead and then adjusts vehicle speed to maintain a selected distance. The trunk holds 13.4 cubic feet of cargo. Like other Infiniti models, the M45 is fitted with a telematics system.

Under the Hood
Like the Q45, the M45 is powered by a 4.5-liter dual-overhead-cam V-8 engine that generates 340 hp and 333 pounds-feet of torque. An electronically controlled five-speed-automatic transmission incorporates a manual-shift mode. Dual exhaust outlets are standard.

Safety
Dual-stage front airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags, and side curtain-type airbags for the front and rear passengers are standard. Antilock brakes include brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution. A standard Vehicle Dynamic Control system improves stability. The front seats have active head restraints.

Driving Impressions
A smooth, luxurious ride is the No. 1 trait in the M45, which looks and feels awfully large. But its handling is reasonably secure and tautly controlled, so you get a hint of sporty behavior along with plush road-going softness. The V-8 provides plenty of power, but responsiveness falls short of some sedans in this league. Interior space is bountiful.

 

Reported by Jim Flammang  for cars.com;
Posted on 9/26/03

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 60,000 miles
Corrosion
7 years
Powertrain
6 years / 70,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Months from In-Service Date (ISD): Less than or equal to 60 months from ISD | Vehicle Mileage: Less than or equal to 15,000 Miles | Greater than 15,000 Miles but less than or equal to 60K miles
Basic
6 years / 75K miles from original ISD | 6 years / unlimited miles from original ISD
Dealer certification
167-point inspection

Consumer reviews

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.6
Interior 4.7
Performance 4.8
Value 4.9
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 4.9

Most recent

  • One of the most reliable luxury performance cars.

    I love the luxurious ride, I love the V8. I love the plush, practical interior. The big screen is really nice. only the leather is wearing too fast.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Sporty Head Turner

    The only thing that I dislike about this car is the gas mileage but what else can you expect from AV8 sports Sedan that was Built-in 2004?
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Finally got my 2004 M45 - sooo happy

    I absolutely love this car. I am 53 yrs old and I looked for over 2 years. Finally found one w/59,500 miles, locally owned, 2-owner and got it. It's awesome - drives so smoothly, only one in my neighborhood (friends have BMW, Mercedes, Audi etc). I love the exterior design, my v8 sleeper, very powerful and very fast. I gave it 4 stars on performance because it is slightly slow to respond compared to today's cars but once it kicks in it pulls hard and rolls. It has all the features of today's cars - heated/cooled seats, memory seats, one-touch sunroof and window up and down, leather is very comfortable. If you have a chance get one or drive one and then you will get it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Everything but 3rd row

    Car delivers EVERYTHING. Comfort, style, fun and most importantly reliability. Will more than likely get another once the kiddos get older. Will miss this gem.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • best quality car I have ever owned

    The M-45 (2004 model) is a truly awesome vehicle and it has exceeded my expectations ever since I purchased it new from a local dealer in May, 2004. The car has a very classy look to it, almost like a small limousine. It is dignified yet sexy but what I like most is it is distinct. I live in an area in Southern California where "everybody" drives a Mercedes or a BMW, with a few Lexus thrown in for good measure. Those vehicles are okay, but oh, so commonplace and yuppyish. This Infiniti did not sell nearly as well as it should have considering all you get with this car. It has comfortable easily adjustable seats(bucket) in front and seats two in the back in comfort or three in a squeeze. It has a seat/mirror memory for 2 drivers so you can push one button to retrieve your own settings. It has a sunroof and when I use it, it reminds me of the convertible days of my youth. It has a wonderfully big and powerful engine which makes it faster than 95% of the cars on the road. It has a choice of automatic transmission or stick shift(without you needing to use a clutch). It has the auto-pilot for cruise control so you can rest your foot on the highway, and it will maintain your safe distance from other cars. The Bose sound system is the best I have ever experienced with something like 8 speakers. The rearview mirror dims at night so headlights don't scramble your brain. If you want to adjust temperature, or do something with the entertainment system, you can give it a voice command, and it answers you back. The handling is great, it has many features only found in sportscars and it holds the road very well on steep hills or winding roads. It has an excellent field of view from the driver's seat with no sight blockages. The ride is exceptionally smooth. I feel like it has a very quiet cabin, even on the highway I don't hear much noise. I have received several dozen unsolicited compliments on the looks and styling of the car which has a great deal of appeal to people. (even after it just passed five years of service). Only disadvantage: it gets 16.7 mpg in the city and about 22 to 23 mpg highway, and it burns premium fuel. This car is extremely dependable and always ready to take me where I want to go in high style. I am delighted I chose Infiniti and the M45.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • The "M" performed wonderfully.

    I just purchased my new to me 2004 M45 two weeks ago in Denver for around 25K with 32K miles and drove it to Michigan. It has the navigation system, which kept me out of trouble even when a route it had chosen in southern Kansas was closed. It is very comfortable and quite powerful yet it gets about 23MPG on the highway and around 20MPG combined. The car has all the toys and the multiple displays kept me amused for most of the 1,500-mile trip I took. This is the first car I?ve owned that I can talk to and it will answer me. It has a voice actuated control system. I have yet to learn all the commands. I got many unsolicited compliments on the ?M? during my trip. It has the laser cruise control which I found to work better than I had expected but I did find two drawbacks?it doesn?t work when you are heading toward the setting sun or when you are using your windshield wipers. When I was in Kansas I experienced high cross winds and that created unacceptable wind noise, particularly at the driver?s side window but with normal winds the noise is negligible. My M45 is very comfortable and I found I could drive a lot further than I usually do on a long road trip in this car without getting tired. The "M" has lots of little extras like the side view mirrors that tilt down when you back up. You can select which mirror you want to tilt. Most of the time I select the right one for parallel parking So far I really like the car and I love the styling. It is also very tight with no squeaks or rattles. With rear wheel drive time will tell if I have to let it hibernate in the winter.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • AWESOME

    Great car! I have owned a Lexus, Bmw, and and Audi. This car is tops. V8 has great power, with VDC off and shift yuoself mode you are looking @60mph in 6 seconds flat. I bought it used with 27.5K miles for $25K. The A/C seats are great and so is Navigation system and intelligent cruise. Now what's wrong. The styling was not popular, but I like it. The 18" wheels are beautiful. I think the car looks great. Wind noise on the highway is too loud for a $50K car, and the throttle response is slow when the transmission is in the automatic mode. Throttle response is good if you shift yourself. Still don't know why I got this car for $25K with 3.5 years left on the factory warranty and only 27.5k miles. I love it!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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INFINITI dealers near you

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2004 INFINITI M45?

The 2004 INFINITI M45 is available in 1 trim level:

  • (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2004 INFINITI M45?

The 2004 INFINITI M45 offers up to 17 MPG in city driving and 23 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2004 INFINITI M45 reliable?

The 2004 INFINITI M45 has an average reliability rating of 4.9 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2004 INFINITI M45 owners.

Is the 2004 INFINITI M45 a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2004 INFINITI M45. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.6
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 4.8
  • Value: 4.9
  • Exterior: 5.0
  • Reliability: 4.9
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