Most obvious of the changes to the 2006 Infiniti M are the new exterior and interior designs. On the outside, the M is unmistakably an Infiniti; the middle child slotted in between the smaller G35 and the larger Q45. Up front is the familial chrome grille with horizontal slats, below which is a large air dam with honeycomb inserts. With its short front and rear overhangs, the side view suggests an oversized G35, though the higher trunk line and fender-mounted turn signals distinguish the M from its little brother. Chrome trim accents the windows and door handles. Filling slightly flared wheelwells are the large alloy wheels, and the rear includes large LED taillights and quad chrome tailpipes.

On the inside is where the 2006 Infiniti M sets itself apart, most notably with the dashboard and center instrument panel. All of the heating and air conditioning controls sit atop the center of the dash, similar to the layout in the previous M45, though now more spread out. Included amongst the buttons is a central knob that can be used as a single control for the audio and climate systems. Infiniti calls it the Human Machine Interface…gets ya all warm and tingly inside, doesn't it? Consider the Interface a simpler, more intuitive take on BMW's iDrive system. Below the heating and air conditioning controls resides the audio system, which incorporates the traditional analog clock and uses a more conventional control setup.

The dash is narrow on the ends and deep in the area of the center controls, displaying the designers' attempt to mimic the letter "M." Whatever. Let's just say it's a nicely contoured dash. Liberally placed throughout the cabin are alloy and chrome accents, and a quality mesh material is used on the headliner and the pillars. As should be expected in a luxury vehicle, soft-touch plastics have been used instead of the hard variety, and they are supplemented by the generous use of leather inserts. Even the doorframe seals are covered in fabric.