Worth the hybrid effort?
Dated looks, dated fuel economy
Official numbers for the Infiniti M35 hybrid have been released. With a combined rating of 29 mpg, the Infiniti M35 hybrid offers 27/32 mpg city/highway.
While it’s great to see hybrid laggard Nissan enter the hybrid game with its own proprietary hybrid drive, Nissan’s first hybrid is simply unimpressive.
Aside from the dated body design, the Infiniti M35 hybrid really brings little to the hybrid game. Other luxury hybrids, such as the Lincoln MKZ hybrid, are far more fuel efficient, although the M35 hybrid offers greater power. Still, high powered luxury hybrids have achieved meaningless sale’s numbers thus far, so what’s the point?
For instance, why not at least start with the Altima hybrid? Put your technology on the line against mainstream hybrid sedans. Or god forbid, take on the Toyota Prius.
I know Nissan is more bullish on plug-in vehicles, but hiding your first proprietary hybrid in a car certain to achieve very few sales is pretty weak.