With a three-row Infiniti crossover on the way, we thought it was time to take another peek at Infiniti’s niche-market FX. With a sports car bloodline – the Nissan Z’s rear-wheel-drive FM architecture – the FX is a rear or all-wheel-drive tall wagon with a style Infiniti has referred to as bionic cheetah.
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| Infiniti FX35 |
Revised for 2009, the FX carries over into 2011. A 5.0-liter V8 cranking out just shy of 400 horsepower is also available as the FX50. The FX35′s $41,600 base price substantially undercuts BMW’s X6 xDrive35i, although it is priced not unlike the all-wheel-drive-only Acura ZDX. Infiniti saw fit to replace the first FX’s strut-type front suspension with a more handling and ride-oriented double wishbone design.
To keep things comfortable inside, the FX’s climate control features a Plasmacluster air purifier with a grape polyphenol filter to remove allergens. An available around-view monitor employs cameras positioned all over the FX’s body to give a Birdseye-style view that shows any potential obstructions at low speeds. With a profile that subtly draws eyes forward; the FX does have a unique appearance of always being in motion.
Endlessly fascinating, the FX is undeniably an interesting vehicle from every angle. The high resolution display on our tester was even updated with SiriusXM station graphics.
Materials have never been a Nissan/Infiniti forte, but the FX feels a little outclassed by newer efforts like big QX56. At $49,975 as tested, the FX offers little reason to complain, but its furnishings don’t exactly impress either. In the Infiniti FX35, it puts out 303 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of torque (FX50 boasts 390 hp, 369 lb-ft of torque), although its power peaks high in the rev range. Fast responses and nimble handling – something not easy to achieve in the deceivingly large 191.3-inch-long FX – make this crossover as sporty as they come in this segment.
The 2011 Infiniti FX35 is a very slick looking versatile vehicle. The 2011 Infiniti FX35 has the shape of a sport utility vehicle but operates and drives smooth like a car. The safety features of this beautiful vehicle includes the Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage front airbags, front side-impact airbags, ABS with Brake Assist and electronic brake force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control, front seat belt pretensioners, front active head restraints, occupant sensors and front and rear roof-mounted side-curtain airbags. You will definitely feel safe when driving this car.
