2009 Infiniti EX35 Review

PROS  Powerful and smooth engine, Top-notch interior fittings, Nimble

CONS  Firm ride, Cramped rear-seat leg room, Smallish cargo area 

Infiniti introduced the EX a year ago as a downsized companion to the larger FX. Both are crossover SUVs that blend car-like ride characteristics with wagon-like utility. The EX is plays at the compact end of the luxury market and the FX is a midsize. Competitors to the EX include the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, and Volvo XC60.

The EX seats five on front buckets and a three-place rear bench seat. It's only available as a four-door wagon with a single-piece rear tailgate. For 2009 Infiniti adds some standard equipment but otherwise makes no major changes.

EX comes in Base or Journey trim. Sole powertrain is a 297-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that mates to a five-speed automatic transmission. Both rear- and wheel drive models are offered. AWD models do not have a low range but do get a snow mode that locks the center differential at a 50/50 ratio.

Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, front-seat active head restraints, tire-pressure monitor, rear-view camera, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Optional on Journey are front- and rear-obstacle-detection systems, Around View Monitoring (AVM), lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, and Lane-Departure Prevention (LDP).

The Base starts at $33,800 and includes air conditioning with automatic climate control, tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, eight-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, four-way power passenger seat, center console, split-folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, keyless access and starting, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with digital-media player connection, satellite radio, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, floormats, theft-deterrent system, fog lights, roof rails, rear spoiler, 225/60VR17 tires, and alloy wheels.

The Journey has a base price of $36,000 and adds to the Base dual-zone automatic climate controls, power tilt-telescope steering wheel, heated front seats, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors, sunroof, AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, and automatic headlights.

All-wheel drive adds $1400 to the price of either model and includes a locking center differential. Options include navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic information, digital hard drive, Bose sound system, iPod adaptor, Bluetooth cell-phone connection, satellite radio, adaptive cruise control, and cargo organizer. The EX has an $865 destination charge and is built in Japan.

Get Up and Go  The EX's 3.5-liter V6 is easily the most powerful engine in the class. With 297 horsepower it has 37 more than the X3, 57 more than the RDX, and a whopping 67 more than the LR2. It's a difference that really shows on the road as the EX jumps away from stoplights and boasts equally impressive highway passing punch.

The V6 is quite smooth and mates happily to the slick shifting five-speed automatic transmission. For the enthusiast, the gear shift has a manual mode that allows individual gears to be held when rounding corners. It should be noted that many competitors offer six- or seven-speed automatics.

As in so many crossovers and "soft-road" SUVs, the EX's all-wheel-drive system is not intended for real off-road use. Rather, it's a security measure for buyers looking for the sure-footed grip of all-wheel drive on icy or snow-covered roads. Its more than up to the task of a Chicago winter, but you'll want to make sure that you have all-season tires if you regularly travel outside large urban areas.

EPA estimates for the rear-wheel-drive model are 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Though low compared to mainstream compact wagons. EX fuel economy is actually on par with its competitors. In routine driving it's easy to average about 21 mpg and that's actually quite impressive given the engine's available power output. In straight highway driving expect to average close to 25 mpg. Infiniti says that the EX engine requires premium-grade gasoline.

On the Road  The EX rides like a refined sports car, and it should considering it evolved from the same chassis as the Infiniti G37 coupe. The 17-inch wheels and sport-tuned suspension do a good job of filtering out small pavement blemishes without inducing too much bounce or float. On bumpy roads or scalloped freeways with lots of expansion joints, the ride can grow a bit tiring.

Step up to the optional 18-inch wheels and the ride grows a trifle too busy on the Midwest's frost-heaved roads. It is probably best to avoid that setup unless you are a hardcore enthusiast.

The EX's firm steering and reassuring brakes offer a near-perfect match to the sport-tuned suspension to offering a level of handling that's nearly unmatched among small crossovers. About the only competition is the BMW X3, but even it feels a little "soft" when compared to the EX.

Infiniti is heavily promoting its Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention systems. They work as advertised to gently remind the driver of proper driving etiquette and should reduce inadvertent roadway departures, which Infiniti claims is responsible for 55% of all traffic fatalities. Both systems can be disabled at the touch of a button.

Though there's little wind noise inside the EX, there's a fair amount of tire rumble-likely due to the firm suspension. It grows worse with the optional 18-inch wheels. The engine cruises silently and emits a hearty and expensive growl in hard acceleration.

Behind the Wheel  The EX's interior befits a luxury vehicle costing thousands more. Nearly every surface is covered in a soft-touch material, and the Journey adds top-line leather and wood trim. There are also a few nice touches like an available pop out coat hanger and power seat retractors.

The dashboard design is typical Infiniti, that's to say it offers a pleasing mix of shapes and curves. Both models come with a seven-inch video screen that displays audio and climate control information. It's also the home for the optional navigation display. Beneath the screen, the audio and climate controls are arranged in a pleasing and functional manner.

The optional Around View Monitoring system utilizes the video screen to display a 360-degree view of the area immediately around the vehicle. This system only operates in reverse and is designed to help the driver when parking or backing up. It's a neat innovation and will likely catch on with other luxury automakers.

The front bucket seats offer excellent leg room and adequate head room. They are heavily bolstered, so large adults may feel a little squished. Thankfully, they're very comfortable on long trips. The driving position is not quite as high as in other compact crossovers, yet higher than a traditional sedan. The benefit is a good view of the road ahead, without that tippy feeling that's common to many SUVs. View to the rear is hampered by the smallish rear window, though extra-large side-view mirrors help out a bit.

The rear seats are nicely padded and head room is good. Sadly, leg room is extremely tight. That's too bad because it effectively limits this crossover to being a two seater with occasional room for four.  I guess those wanting a more realistic rear seat can opt for the larger Infiniti FX.

Another area where the EX falls short of its competitors is in cargo area. The maximum cargo space comes in at a scant 47 cubic feet. That's larger than any sedan, but falls well short of most other compact crossovers and wagons. At least the hatch is fairly wide and the load floor is flat. The power folding seats are a nice touch, but aren't necessary in a vehicle this small. Interior storage is good, highlighted by a large, nicely finished glove box and a deep center console bin. Door map pockets are narrow.

Bottom Line  The EX is designed to appeal to the growing legion of empty nesters that have both disposable income and the need for a flexible utility vehicle. In that role the EX is superb. It is refined, fast, and comfortable for two adults. It's also loaded with the latest technology and safety features.

As a cost-effective and practical compact SUV, the EX falls short due to the cramped rear quarters and limited cargo space. Thankfully, Infiniti isn't building the EX for this audience. Prices start at a reasonable $34,000, well below its direct competitors and that makes the EX a "must see" for shoppers in this market.