After a well-received 2012 debut, Infiniti brings its sporty and efficient M35 Hybrid sedan into 2013 essentially unchanged. This 5-seat, luxury-oriented midsize 4-door again packs V8 heft with the fuel efficiency of a 4-banger, and it retains the posh touring suspension that its M37 and M56 siblings forgo with their stiffer sport-tuned suspension systems. And all of this is available at a comparatively modest price.

The single M35 Hybrid trim, unlike its M kinfolk, the M56 and the M37, is delivered in rear-wheel drive (RWD) only, with no all-wheel-drive (AWD) option. Also, trunk space shrinks from 14.9 cubic feet in gasoline-only M trims to 11.3 cubic feet in the M35 Hybrid as a concession to its battery pack. Reviewers are quick to point out, however, that pound for pound, the 2013 M35 may be the most well-rounded of Infiniti’s M offerings, and a few tweaks for the 2013 edition, such as a power soft-close trunk lid and a standard auto-dimming rear-view mirror, just make this heady hybrid that much more appealing.

In any case, the standard 3.5-liter hybrid V6 powerplant mates with a 50-kilowatt electric motor for 360 total hp and over 258 lb-ft of combined torque. Managed by a 7-speed shiftable automatic transmission, this surprisingly peppy gas-electric combo blends variable valve timing (VVT) and automatic engine stop/start technology into a wallet-pleasing 27 mpg city/32 highway. Of course, regenerative braking helps the 6-banger juice up the battery, and this princely people-hauler can be run for short distances on electric power alone. Oh, and the 7-speed shiftable automatic boasts 4 driver-selectable modes, Standard, Sport, Snow and Eco, to suit mood and weather.

In keeping with its M contemporaries, the 2013 M35 offers an attractive profile and such standard exterior blandishments as 18-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, that new-for-2013 power soft-close deck lid and reverse-tilting, heated power-adjustable mirrors. Inside, look for leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, tasteful alloy, leather and wood cabin accents, full power accessories and driver memory settings. Cruise control is of course standard, as are telescoping tilt-wheel steering, the aforementioned new auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a remote garage door opener and a rear-view camera.

Techno-wise, expect standard Bluetooth hands-free calling to complement a 160-watt audio system flaunting 6 speakers, a single-CD player and satellite radio. Hard-drive-based navigation, meanwhile, remains optional, and comes with an 8-inch infotainment display and Infiniti’s Connection System for smartphone apps. Rear parking sensors also remain available, as do an upgraded 16-speaker Bose sound system, upgraded climate control, a rear spoiler and a heated steering wheel. Most optional equipment, it should be noted, again comes in package form.

Finally, the usual standard safety stuff, like 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, 7 airbags, front fog/driving lights, a post-collision safety system and high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights, can be augmented with the Technology Package. This optional high-end safety package includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure and blind-spot alerts, and auto-leveling headlights.