LexFather

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/rev...i-ex35-review/

By Robert Farago
December 31, 2007 - 2,793 Views
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08_ex12.jpgWhen you make the market’s most un-SUV-like SUV– a large, fast, expensive, thirsty, luggage and mud-aversive vehicle– what do you do for an encore? If you’re Infiniti, you make a virtually identical smaller version that’s slightly less fuel efficient. And how do you convince consumers to buy this $40k FX35 mini-me? You cram it with enough electronics to keep an AWACS crew busy for hours. Strangely, that’s not the best reason to buy an EX35. Hell, it’s not even a good reason. But I’m getting ahead of myself here…

Visually, the difference between the FX and EX is no more profound than the disparity between Sarah Connor in the first and second Terminator movies. The “coupe inspired” EX is a bit more compact and a lot more cut than the FX. And that's it. To this reviewer’s eyes, the FX’ zoftig curves are far more appealing than the Bimmer-aping character lines bisecting the EX’ prow and flanks. The EX’ rear window treatment is especially over-wrought; a mish-mash of shapes assembled for the sole purpose of not being an FX.

08_ex03.jpgThe EX’ back end lacks the FX’ way cool integrated coffee can exhausts, but the smaller sib’s helm leaves no doubt to which letter in SUV it aspires. The Japanese cute ute’s steering wheel is meaty enough to inspire a vegetarian backlash. That said, the EX’ designers clearly decided that G comes before Z in their aesthetic alphabet. To justify the Lexus-like price tag, Infiniti’s designers have once again benchmarked Audi. From the climate controls to the red-faced LCD trip computer nestled between the gauges, the EX grasps for Ingolstadt's four rings.

And misses the marque. The EX’ dash may be as handsome as Poggenpohl kitchen, but the gauges’ violet inner rings and oversized font stick out like an oil can of Fosters in a wicker wine cradle. The EX’ leather seats may look elegantly sumptuous, but they feel as plasticky as your grandmother's vinyl couch covers. The EX’ rotary controller is suitably Starck, but sits dorkily on the dashtop, like a nerd's polyester trousers grazing his nipples. While I can appreciate the oil-dampened glide of a glovebox door as much as the next OCD pistonhead, the EX’ cabin proves than lackluster imitation is the sincerest form of bad branding.

08_ex07.jpgIf Infiniti has a "thing," it's gizmos. We're talking voice recognition, an Intelligent Key (that couldn't answer the simplest trivia questions), Intelligent Cruise Control (that kept Tom away), an "Around View" parking monitor (in case you need to park sideways), a brake-actuating Lane Departure Prevention system, Sat Nav (with real time traffic info), Bluetooth, Bose blasting (with 24-bit DAC, 11 speakers, two subwoofers, six CD player, iPod connectivity and a 9.3GB hard drive), remote rear seat release (and motorized retraction) and the usual luxury everything. Wait. No power liftgate? Nope.

But power it's got. The EX’ fourth gen VQ engine stumps-up 297hp and 253 ft.-lbs. of torque. As max shove clocks-in at a relatively high rpm, sporting drivers must give the EX’ go-pedal a proper pasting to satisfy their accelerative urges. So motorvated, the 3752lbs. EX heads for the hills like you TASERed its tailpipes. The dash from rest to 60mph takes a shade under six seconds. Provided you use the EX’ five-speed autobox’ manual override to hold onto tight to your revs, the SUV will pass long lines of traffic in a single bound.

08_ex14.jpgOn the downside, EX lacks the similarly speedy FX35's operatic mellifluousness under wide open throttle. What's worse, the silence allows the EX' tire roar to come to the fore (damn those fat all-season shoes). The EX35's prodigious thirst is another inconvenient truth. Ambling around town, the accommodation and cargo-challenged SUV gulps gas at the astonishing rate of 16mpg. Drive the EX like you stole it and the fuel bills will make you wish you had.

Still, if you had to evade the long arm of the law in an SUV (closed course, fake arm), you could hardly do better than pilot an EX equipped with ATTESA ET-S (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System with Electronic Torque Split). If you ignore the FX-donated crashy rear suspension, and the EX' unsettling tendency to porpoise over undulations, the all wheel-drive Infiniti can perform the same stupid truck tricks that help Porsche Cayenne S owners justify their bizarre whip to incredulous mainstream motorists– only faster.

08_ex11.jpgYes but– you can’t drive an EX35 off road. Or tow anything. Or carry four adults in comfort. Or their luggage. Yes, the Infiniti EX35 is the fastest, best handling of all the luxury cute utes. But who cares? How many people have been hankering for a really expensive jacked-up two-plus-two sports coupe with a billion megabits of electro-mechanical mishaps just waiting to happen, produced by an automaker whose street cred hovers in that near luxury no-man’s land once occupied by Buick, currently home to Acura?

In fact, the Infiniti’s EX' EXtreme lack of utility consigns this so-called SUV to an EXtremely rarified niche: drivers who want a less practical G35 sedan with a better view; or customers looking for a smaller, cheaper FX35. Otherwise, well, what was the point?


Infiniti EX35 Review Car Review Rating
Infiniti EX35 earned a 2 star review from TTAC 2 / 5 Stars |

Ken'sGS300

iTrader: (3)

Well, my Mom just bought one for herself for Christmas; AWD EX with everything except the Lane Departure system and Around View monitor. She hardly hauls anything except herself and the groceries, doesn't really like leather at all and is somewhat intimidated by all the electronics.

After 3 days of driving it she loves the leather seating surfaces, intelligent key idea and can make a hands-free phone call via Bluetooth.

As for me, there's a whole lot of reading necessary to learn how to do everything, that's for sure. And then teach Mom. But Infiniti has a person that actually does that as their job; introduce and acquaint new buyers to the technology. But to remark on the odd placement of the central rotary dial; this car is like Windows in that tasks can be accomplished many ways. Touchscreen, voice, or rotary controller or the good old pot ***** for audio, cliamte control, etc.

As for me, I enjoy driving it. It's quick, nimble, and it feels like a car (which the front half is). I hate driving minivans or sport-utes; I'm a car guy.

-Ken

Hypnotik

This seems to be the first bad review. My friend told me that his girlfriends mom just got one as an xmas present and absolutely loves it.

mmarshall

Is this guy reviewing a vehicle or writing jokes and puns? His write-up, IMO, could pass for a stand-up comedy routine.

LexFather

That site historically is very abrasive, think American Clarkson but not as funny. Overall though I agree with his assesment, which is what I've said about this entire class. What is the point?

G Star

iTrader: (2)

that steering wheel is horrid...

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

IMO the point is basically to have the station wagon come back without the station wagon title.

mmarshall

Sorry, Mike. I wasn't criticizing your opinions of the car, or how you would write it up yourself if you were reviewing it (I know you would do a good job ). I just wasn't impressed with the way Farago did the write-up.......it struck me as more humor and joke-oriented than a serious review. You may agree with his overall assessment (I do to, in some areas), but IMO his writing style just has too many similies, metaphors, and puns. He also didn't list the prices, options, paint/interior or drivetrain specs, which I think should be part of any review.

I also welcome any negative criticism of my own reviews if people think I could do better. One of my own weaknesses is not posting many pictures, except for the auto web site...my computer skills are low at that.

mmarshall

That right there is part of the problem. There is really nothing wrong with the term "station wagon".........it is a prefectly legitimate term, but some auto manufacturers have convinced themselves otherwise. So they call a station wagon everything BUT what it really is....a wagon. In fact, that is one of many things that I like about Subaru....thay still call a wagon a WAGON.

LexFather

Oh I didn't take your comment as one towards me. I think it is becoming more and more a trend of writers to beat up a vehicle in its review. A good writer also needs to keep their bias in check or just admit it and then do the article.

I have a feeling he didn't like the cute ute segment to begin with, he probably didn't like this thing when he saw the pics/specs and when he got to review it, well he wasn't going to like it period.

Looking at this thread with 2 people saying moms and women bought it, well that is the target market Infiniti said they were going for. So if that is the begining of the EX trend, even if myself or other writers don't like it or get it, well someone does. This vehicle is not for us.

I just hope it hits its conservative sales goals.

When the car show hits Atlanta I must check out its interior. IN pics it seems fantastic (I'm an interior junkie).

mmarshall

I'm with you on the interior. IMO it beats that of the larger and more expensive FX series.

STIG

I saw the car at the dealership some days ago, and the car looks like an EGG.

mmarshall

Lots of vehicles do today. Check out the new Impreza 5-door if you want another good example.

STIG

Impreza 5-door looks like slice bread compare to EX.

Ken'sGS300

iTrader: (3)

I can assure you, the interior is first rate. I only wish she had gotten the chestnut interior; it looks VERY classy. While it is smaller than the FX, it feels more like riding in a car, or a wagon, than an SUV; even a small SUV. It's like riding in a G sedan, period. I can say that because Infiniti loaned Mom a G35 sedan for a week until she could pick up the EX.