If you're old enough to remember the energy policies of the Carter administration, green enough to have donated to the Nature Conservancy and young enough to get a rush of testosterone from dusting that polo-shirt-wearing jerk in his BMW, Nissan has the car for you.
And though its styling walks a fine line between "grandpa's luxury sedan" and "soccer mom sports car," the 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid pulls off this delicate balancing act with grace.
The result isn't superb on looks. As you'd expect, meeting so many different design goals results in a car that looks a little, well, melted-together. It's not going to make anyone's heart race on the inside, either, with slightly old-fashioned styling exemplified by the quaint analog clock in the dash.
But it is one fun ride.
The sedan's seats ease into position when you press the ignition button, cradling your butt cheeks – and optionally warming them. The low seats and slightly bulging hood give it a sportier feel on the inside than its looks let on. The car silently backs out of its parking space on electric power alone, while a rear-view camera gives you a clear look at what's behind you and where the car is tracking. The sound system pumps out your favorite tunes from your iPhone, which you've plugged into a USB port in the center console. And when you stomp on the accelerator, the 360-horsepower gas- and-electric power plant presses you back into the leather seats like nobody's business.
Under the hood, there's a hybrid engine similar to what's inside the Toyota Prius: An electric motor drives the car at lower speeds and short distances until the battery is depleted to a certain level, then a bigger gasoline engine takes over.
You can choose between three driving modes with a simple dial: An eco mode saves gas, a sport mode emphasizes performance, and the "why bother" mode is somewhere in the middle.
Handling is excellent for a car that weighs more than 4,000 pounds. It hurls itself forward, into the passing lane, and around corners with ease, especially in sport mode.
