Infiniti EX35 Review

2008 Infiniti EX35 Journey SUV Shown

Crossover SUV shoppers, by the very nature of the vehicle they seek, are a demanding bunch. They're looking for a vehicle that drives like a sedan yet is a capable people mover and competent cargo hauler -- that's a tall order to fill. But not everyone seeking this versatility wants a vehicle that has all of these traits in equal portions. Some drivers are willing to sacrifice some of the "utility" in exchange for an extra helping of "sport." Enter the Infiniti EX35.

The EX35 -- part of a growing trend of small luxury crossovers -- is able to fulfill this role thanks to its mechanical similarity to Infiniti's highly regarded G35 luxury sport sedan. Packing a powerful V6 and sharp reflexes, the EX35 delivers exceptional performance for this segment. It also boasts numerous high-end luxury features. The main downside, however, is that these high points come at the expense of rear seat passenger headroom and cargo capacity.

Current Infiniti EX35

The all-new for 2008 Infiniti EX35 comes in two trim levels: base and the even more luxurious Journey. Both come standard with a 3.5-liter 297-horsepower V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Buyers have the option of choosing rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. There are also several luxury and technology packages available that offer features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, a Bose audio system and a hard-drive-based navigation system with MP3 storage capacity. One of the more distinctive options on the EX35 is an Around View Monitor video system, which uses four "top down" cameras at each vehicle corner to assist with parking maneuvers.

Using the same engine and similar suspension components as the G35 sedan, it comes as little surprise that the EX35 shines in terms of driving dynamics. During testing it showed strong acceleration, taking only 6.3 seconds to get to 60 mph, and provided stable, predictable handling without a sacrifice in ride comfort. Perhaps most impressive is the EX35's braking prowess. It stopped from 60 mph in just 118 feet, a number that would leave most SUVs, and plenty of high-performance cars envious.

While the Infiniti EX35 rewards you with a lively experience behind the wheel, its shortcomings make themselves known when the time comes to put the "utility" part of this sport-utility vehicle to the test. The EX35 lacks a significant amount of rear cargo room compared to its competitors. Plus, the rear seat offers just 28.5 inches of legroom -- also substantially less than what's available from other models.

However, for singles and couples drawn to the comforts and conveniences of SUV ownership, the elegant Infiniti EX35 is an appealing option. It's quicker than any of its peers and arguably has the best ride/handling balance of any premium compact crossover as well. If you don't need space for big kids or dogs, the EX belongs on your short list.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.