Costa Mesa, CA – When Infiniti launched the FX series 5 years ago I thought because of its unique styling and choice of powerful V8 or more frugal V6 engine choices that it would be a big hit with consumers, and it was.  It’s good to be right every now and then!  Some felt that the performance difference between the V6 equipped model and the V8 was not substantial enough to offset the extra cost of the V8, and for the most part they were right too.

                Fast forward to 2009 and Infiniti has addressed that concern with a complete redesign of the FX.  It is still offered with your choice of V8 or V6 power but the delta between the two has increased.  The V6 model retains its FX35 designation due to its 3.5-Liter engine; the V8 name change to FX50 designates the move to a 5.0-Liter engine.

I tested the 2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD in the recent past for you and frankly could not have been happier with it.  I make no apologies for my affection for big V8 power and the harmonious exhaust burble it offers.  However, we are here to talk about the 2009 Infiniti FX35 AWD this time around and upfront, I’ll tell you it is every bit as entertaining as it’s big V8 powered brother. 

Pick up the marketing material for the FX and the tag line is “Luxury SUV with the Heart of a Sports Car”.  The heart of this rig is its 3.5-Liter DOHC V6 engine making 303 horsepower and 262-Lb-Ft Torque.  It pumps all that power through an all-wheel drive system for sure footing on just about any surface.  If the engine is the heart then what’s underneath has to be the soul and what is underneath is familiar in that the FX35 rides on an updated but same basic architecture as the EX35 and the G35with independent Double-Wishbone front and Multi-Link rear suspension.  If corner carving brings a smile to your face then prepare to have permagrin.

 All that performance does not leave you wanting for comfort either.  The base price of $42,350.00 wraps you in leather, provides the signature Infiniti Analog Clock, Bose Premium Audio, Power Seats, Windows, Moonroof, Rearview Monitor, Cruise-Control, Dual-Zone Climate Control, Air Bags galore, and many other comfort and safety features.
                The real pizzazz is added via the options packages available, mainly the Deluxe Touring Package (Hand-Stained Maple Wood Trim, 20 Inch Alloy Wheels, Adaptive and Auto-Leveling Front Headlights, Etc.), The Premium Package (heated and a/c cooled Fronts Seats, Bluetooth, iPod interface, power tilt/telescoping Steering Wheel, quilted leather seats, Magnesium Paddle Shifters, and more), the Navigation Package (hard drive Nav system with “real-time” traffic and voice recognition, front and rear sonar, the awesome Around View Monitor, 8 Inch color display) and finally the Technology Package (Intelligent Brake Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention System, Intelligent Cruise, Distance Control Assist, and Rain Sensing Front Wipers).  Yes a lot of pizzazz but also a lot of greenbacks, $11,565 in options to be exact bringing the total to a hefty $53,915.  That is a lot of money but very much competitive with the competition in this segment.  Personally I could do without all the beeping nanny’s provided via the Technology Package.

                My week with the FX35 was a busy one and we covered a lot of ground, 670 miles to be exact.  A trip to Palm Desert to visit with friends and several trips to the Riverside International Automotive Museum for the “Legends of Riverside” event at which Dan Gurney was the guest of honor.  Stay tuned to www.riversideinternationalraceway.com for future events because this one was great.  EPA estimates are 16 MPG City and 21 Highway for a combined 18 MPG.  I averaged spot on 18 MPG over the course of all those miles and yes I am a dues fully paid member of the “lead foot” fraternity so the average was pretty good in my opinion.
                One gripe and it is the same as with the FX50, which is not surprising.  The rearview mirror is not mounted high enough on the windshield and blocks the view off to your right making paying attention at stop signs and crosswalks all that more important as you scan for pedestrians and cross-traffic not to mention the revenue generation tasked traffic cops hiding off the side of the street/freeway.  I’m not sure how Infiniti can fix this other than to make the mirror smaller and/or mounted differently, but with all that is being done with camera’s these days that would be a logical application to fix this, especially in vehicles already equipped with the Around View Monitoring system.
                The color scheme of Platinum Graphite exterior and Java interior seemed rather bland to me at first but grew on me over the course of the week. 
                 Especially the interior, think “chocolate lab” because that is almost the exact same color.  The interior is a great place to be too.  Very well done in every way, comfortable seating, very readable gauges due to the very cool electroluminescent lighting, killer sound system, easy to use Nav, easy ingress/egress as the FX35 sits a little higher than most passenger vehicles as you would expect but you don’t need a step stool to climb in.
                All the good things I said about the FX50 apply here to the FX35.  The best way to enjoy this machine is to put it into Sport Mode by pushing the shifter to the left into manual mode and utilize the paddle shifters (Left for downshift, right for up) and your right foot.  This induces the aforementioned Permagrin.  Rev-matched blips from the throttle on the way down through the gears, even without the baritone exhaust note of the V8 is very gratifying.  Turn into an Apex carrying what you think is too much speed and marvel in the All-Wheel Drives ability to sort it all out and make you look like a Rock Star behind the wheel.  Permagrin indeed, and yes, just as I said before, this is an SUV I’m talking about here!

Column and photos provided by Rich Branch, EVP of Race Central TV and Radio Network Partners.