The Infiniti FX surprised us. Like any self-respecting, SUV-hating group of automotive journalists, we were all set to hate both the Infiniti FX35 and the more powerful FX45. Then we drove them.
The first thing we discovered is that these are exciting driver's cars, smooth, powerful, very stable. They can be driven much harder than traditional sport-utilities, with big, powerful brakes and firm, fully independent suspensions. On the highway, they feel planted and much more confident than traditional SUVs.
None of this should come as a surprise, given the Infiniti FX is based on the Nissan 350Z sports car. (A common assumption is that the Infiniti FX shares its structure with the Nissan Murano. It does not. The FX shares its rear-wheel-drive design with the 350Z and Infiniti G35, while the Murano shares its front-wheel-drive design with the Nissan Maxima and Altima.)
The second thing we discovered is that the FX35 is plenty. Its V6 engine, the same engine used in the 350Z, is powerful, giving the FX35 responsive performance. While driving the FX35, we never found ourselves wishing for the more powerful FX45.
Any way you cut it, the V6-powered FX35 and the V8-powered FX45 give Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche a run for the money, particularly your money. When it comes to acceleration, not to mention handling on twisty roads, the Infiniti gives up nothing to the Euro-luxury SUVs. The Infiniti drives more like a big sport coupe than a truck-based SUV. Better still, the FX35 and FX45 cost less than the German competition.
Infiniti built its SUV for the road. It was not designed to go off road, though the available all-wheel drive is designed for improved handling and performance in the snow. Its chassis could therefore be lighter than most other SUVs, reducing the weight its powerful engines must move. And the weight advantage was just a starting point. Infiniti equipped the FX with enormous 20-inch wheels and tires and race car-sized brakes. The inspiration for this SUV's design and performance was a "bionic cheetah.'' The goal was to make the FX as fun to drive as a sports car; Infiniti achieved that with compromises in ride comfort, space and rock-climbing ability.
The end result is a car-based crossover SUV that's full of character and exciting to drive on sports-car roads, but also one that has a stiff suspension and ride, a tighter cockpit than some of its competitors and flamboyant styling. While the BMW X5, Mercedes M-Class and Porsche Cayenne each deliver varying levels of off-road capability, all are better suited for the rough stuff than the FX. Squeezing into the cockpit and bouncing along a bumpy snow-belt back road, however, may appeal most to committed sports-car enthusiasts.
Launched for the 2003 model year, the FX nonetheless gets several improvements for 2004. On the functional side, there's a new Snow-Mode transmission program that reduces shift points to gain traction in very slippery conditions. All FX models get an eight-way adjustable passenger seat (as opposed to four-way last year) and a standard microfilter that cleans air in the cabin. For appearance, FX now offers brushed aluminum roof rails and two new wheel finishes, including chrome plating.