1999 Infiniti Q45 Review (continued)
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Driving Impressions

Performance has always been an Infiniti trait. Throttle response is instant, whether you're moving away from a stoplight, making a tight freeway merge or passing.

This V8 is among the smoothest and most satisfying around today, easily holding its own with the Lexus and BMW offerings and perhaps even a touch smoother and quieter than the Mercedes-Benz V8s. The Q45 has always been more of a driver's car than the LS 400 and that tradition continues. The engine and transmission are connected electronically; smooth, precise shifts are based on speed and load. On the road, the feeling is of a seamless flow of power with no hesitation or jerkiness between shifts.

This car always feels firmly planted. It's stable as a train in a straight line, controlled in turns. The Q45 feels very nimble for a large luxury car. Steering is quick. The suspension is well damped, isolating occupants from poorly maintained road surfaces. But it doesn't float like some big luxury cars that use mushy suspensions to make up for poor chassis engineering. Visibility is good. Overall comfort is good. This car is as much at home lazing around town as it is devouring miles of Interstate. It's a nice place to be.