Infiniti does Hi-Tech in EX
Price is a big reason for the new 2008 Infiniti EX35 crossover’s not winning its category at this year’s Car of the Year search organized by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. Stiff competition from other new utility vehicles (between $35K and $60K) like the Saturn Vue and Mazda CX-9, for example, made this perhaps the toughest category to judge in years.
That said, by Canadian standards, the EX35 scored higher than Mazda’s recently proclaimed “North American Truck of the Year”, yet it came up just short of the (ultimately) class-winning Vue, which sported a price tag almost $19,000 below the entered EX (Oct. 2007 pricing).
Infiniti has since lowered the MSRP of that fully-loaded EX35 by four grand to $50,650, though getting into one can be accomplished for as little as $40,400. For that, you get a 297-hp 3.5-litre V6, ATTESSA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system and a five-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and downshift rev-matching.
Shared with the new G35 sedan, the fourth-gen VQ35HR engine has 253 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. It features variable exhaust cam timing (eCVTCS), symmetric twin ram air intake system and other improvements such as the redesigned dual exhaust system, which was etuned for lower exhaust back pressure, better engine breathing and cooler sonic performance.
Additional standard features on the EX35 include smart-looking 17-inch alloy wheels, vented ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), plus an intelligent key, push button start, heated leather seats, eight-way power driver’s seat and four-way power passenger seat, XM satellite radio and six airbags.
An independent double wishbone front suspension and rear multi-links with stabilizer bars yield solid and predictable handling with virtually no body roll. Enhancing already excellent road manners, the optional 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P225/55 R18 tires help increase traction. Furthermore, the VDC system, which controls front-to-rear torque distribution, can be deactivated in situations where some wheelspin is desirable.
Performance testing by AJAC finds the EX35 can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. More impressive is that it takes just 5.6 seconds to go from 80-to-120 km/h; and, only 39.5 metres of road are required to reach a full stop from 100 km/h.
Having garnered many long, curious looks from passers-by throughout the week, the EX35 owes its handsome FX-inspired exterior to signature brand touches like the twin-arch grille, big L-shaped headlights with available Bi-Xenon adaptive front lighting system, integrated fog lights and distinctive LED taillights. Infiniti’s “dynamic arch” profile might help its looks, but the raked rear glass/tailgate angle does seriously limit the height and shape of large objects this 476-litre rear cargo area will accept. Even still, the EX’s solid performance, elegant interior and numerous customization options will help close the sale for some suitors.
Besides a really cool patented self-healing “Scratch Shield” clear coat paint that supposedly eliminates swirl marks and fine scratches in the paint that accumulate over time, other standard exterior features of the EX35 include an upper rear spoiler, dual chrome exhaust finishers and courtesy puddle lamps integrated stealthily into the side mirrors.
A plethora of extras can be added to the 2008 EX35. Everything from a power sunroof to Infiniti’s lane departure system are found within five options packages – Journey, Premium, Custom Leather (requires Premium), Navigation and Technology. Perhaps the most noteworthy is the cutting-edge AVM system.
Short for “Around View Monitor,” this production-car-first really does help you avoid those things around you. Four tiny exterior cameras give occupants a real-time 360-degree bird’s eye view of the vehicle and any objects, obstacles or other hazards within a few feet of the vehicle on the standard seven-inch vehicle information display to assist with backing up or parking. This touchscreen LCD is also where the radio and navigation controls can be accessed.
The interior is roomy enough for four full-size adults to travel comfortably with dual-zone automatic climate controls and rear A/C vents keeping everyone cozy. Complete with a nine gigabyte, compact flash (CF) card slot and Infiniti’s iPod interface system, the 11-speaker premium Bose audio system ensures there’s always great-sounding music close at hand. The CF card option is only for MP3/WMA music files and, therefore, does not allow you to view pictures on the display as I found out during my photo shoot.
The all-new Infiniti EX35 crossover builds on the success of the FX lineup and there’s no reason to believe it won’t blend itself seamlessly into the lives of many Canadian households. Yes, there’s plenty of competition out there, but the combination of EX’s seductive design, elegant interior and advanced technologies are certainly appealing to buyers who want a luxurious vehicle without paying for one.
Summary:
Strong Points
Weak Points
- - Proven engine
- - technology-laden interior
- - excellent warranties Weaknesses:
- - Limited rear seat/cargo configurations
- - historically-low resale values
Editors Rating:
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