New Infiniti FX Review

The Infiniti FX is no staid, family-oriented luxury SUV. It's mean, outrageous, curvaceous and available with a pair of stout engines. While other SUVs are based on sedans, trucks and even minivans, the FX can trace its lineage back to a sports car: Nissan's Z.

Indeed, through its two generations, the FX has been a different sort of sport-utility: one that puts an unmistakable emphasis on "sport," while "utility" is a mere bonus. Passenger and cargo room have never been what we call generous, so if hauling the kids to hockey practice is a priority, something else may be in order. As such, it's certainly not for everyone. But for those who like the idea of a sport sedan on stilts and are attracted to its one-of-a-kind styling, the Infiniti FX has carved out a cool little niche of its own.

Current Infiniti FX
The current Infiniti FX is available in two models: the FX35 and FX50. The numbers indicate their respective engines, one a 3.5-liter 303-horsepower V6 and the other a 5.0-liter 390-hp V8. A seven-speed automatic with manual shift control is the only transmission available. Rear-wheel drive is standard for the FX35; an all-wheel-drive system with a rear bias to preserve the vehicle's sporty handling capabilities is optional. The FX50 is only offered with AWD.

Standard features are abundant, with automatic xenon lights, a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, a power tailgate, leather upholstery, a rearview camera, Bluetooth and a Bose surround-sound system, items that are typically optional on competitor luxury SUVs. Yet the niceties don't stop there. Besides creature comforts like heated and cooled front seats, there are a staggering number of high-tech features for entertainment (Bluetooth streaming audio, digital music storage), safety (blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning) and protecting your bumpers (parking sensors, multicamera parking assist).

In addition to its curvaceous styling, the FX is perhaps best known for its athleticism. It shares a platform with the Infiniti G sedan and the nimble EX, so carlike handling is encoded in its DNA. There's ultimately no hiding its higher center of gravity and hefty mass, but around corners, the FX displays impressive road-holding prowess and confidence, aided by strong, consistent brakes and a tight and direct steering feel. The trade-off, however, is a stiffer ride on the highway. Opting for larger wheel sizes only compounds matters, increasing road noise and impact harshness.

In reviews, we found the FX35 to provide more than enough power -- the FX50 is really just an example of overkill. The FX's most notable flaw is its lack of utility. Quite simply, its backseat and cargo area pale in comparison to its competitors -- even some small luxury crossovers are more spacious.

Read the most recent 2013 Infiniti FX review.

If you are looking for older years, visit our used Infiniti FX page.