If there is a buzzword in the auto industry today, that word is “crossover.” It seems that every company in the auto universe has one, two or three crossovers, but few of the automakers really seem to have a handle on what the vehicles are supposed to be crossing over into.
The term crossover is a marketing device used to approach two niche markets with one vehicle. Most often, the vehicle in question is an SUV that the automaker hopes will double as either a sportwagon or a van. Few really make the bridge. The 2007 Infiniti FX35 makes the jump gracefully and DOES cross over into both genres, and as an Infiniti product, it turns the term crossover into a hyphenated, luxury-crossover.
The FX35 is a mid-sized sports-utility vehicle, but it creatively incorporates all that is good in sportwagons into the SUV genus. The thing that stands out the most is exterior styling. The FX35 has among the sweetest, most rounded, fluid and sporty lines in the SUV class, while most SUVs remain a bit boxy and most crossovers either play like small SUVs or large sportwagons.
Aggressive, confident, muscular and athletic in appearance, and looking very much like the concept version that Nissan/Infiniti unveiled in 2001, the FX is a close sister to the Nissan Murano. Within the sporty exterior are mechanical, electronic and comfort accouterments that put the FX35 crossover into a class all its own.
FX35 begins with the 3.5-liter V-6 engine. It is the 3.5 that is heralded in the “35” portion of the FX35 name, just as its bigger sibling, the FX45 employs a 4.5-liter engine. The “35” is imbued with 275 hp and 268 lbs.-ft. of torque. That is enough pop to propel this 4,314-lb. sports-ute from zero to 60mph in 7.8 seconds. This vehicle is not marketed for velocity, but the throaty, purring V-6 offers good acceleration at speed and my weeklong tests along the East Coast achieved 16.6 mpg, just barely within the EPA rating of 16mpg in city driving and 21mpg on the highway.
In addition to the V-6, linked to a five-speed automatic transmission, the FX35 is road-attentive with a traction control, stability control, antilock disc brakes and vehicle dynamic control. The anti-lock braking is enhanced by electronic brake force distribution in concert with power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes. Cruise control, front and rear stabilizer bar, 4-wheel independent suspension and a snow mode switch add the utility to the sports-ute portion of the crossover.
Safety and security are focused on with an advanced air-bag system, roof-mounted curtain side-impact/rollover supplemental airbags for outboard occupants, head protection, front seat mount side impact supplemental airbags, front seat active head restraints, rear head restraints for all three passengers, zone body construction with front and rear crumple zones, tire pressure monitoring system and vehicle security and immobilizer system.
During the highway portion of the examination, I found the FX35 to exhibit a low center of gravity, assertive cornering and exceptional balance for an SUV. The cabin was a bit noisier than expected, but the ride was comfortable. Sightlines are a bit blocked in the rear, but mirrors limit blindspots and provide a good view of other cars. The suspension is finely tuned and while some road bumps are felt, that only makes the vehicle more sportlike and less ute-like and helps the FX handle highways and country roads with aplomb.
A colleague asked me who this beauty was really marketed to and the thought occurred to me that it is for those who want an upscale ride and don’t need the off-road abilities and cumbersome stature of an SUV; and want more guts and style than they can get with a sportwagon. Those who want live more like the cast of “The OC” than “Ozzie and Harriet”.
Upscale concentration is apparent with such interior amenities as leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, 10-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic temperature control, 11-speaker, 300-watt Bose audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3 playback, illuminated steering wheel audio controls, 7-inch color LCD screen, rear view monitor for backing up, leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel and leather-and-chrome shift knob.
With a base price of $39,300, the FX35 is aggressively stickered for a luxury vehicle. My test ride, with a plethora of electronic options came in at $48,520. That $9,000-plus in add-ons included a hands-free package for $600 consisting of an intelligent key and Bluetooth hands-free phone system. The $1300 touring package includes sunroof, Homelink Universal transceiver, auto on/off headlights and cargo net. The aluminum roof rail crossbars add $350 and the cargo area protector is $70. The sport package will set you back $2000 and comes with sport-tuned suspension, aluminum pedals and roof rails, etched aluminum interior trim, black chrome exterior accent (grille), tinted headlights and taillights, and 20-inch wheels and tires. The technology package is a $4200 option that includes DVD-based Infiniti navigation system, Intelligent Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert, and XM Satellite radio with body-color antenna. There is a $700 destination charge.
The Infiniti FX35 … it’s a crossover that really DOES cross over.
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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