CD Article: 2008 Infiniti EX35

[CD_Editor]

Today's First Drive:

Smaller than the FX35, the new Infiniti EX35 will go on sale in December with pricing expected to start in the mid-forties, reports contributor Bob McHugh.
   
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[initial_D]

Like both of the interior and exterior, mechanically should be solid. Price is probably over $45,000 to start.

[2hondas]

Not a fan of the exterior...it reminds me of a Kia/Hyundai?  It also looks too soft.

[mdxtasy]

Nothing too exciting from my point of view.  It's not ugly, but it's also not drop dead gorgeous.  I think I prefer the RDX.

[carcrazy]

Nice luxury Tall Sport Hatchback. I don't see the Utility part in this vehicle with its car like cargo space and shape plus small rear space. The V6 is something to drool over though.

[ovr50]

From a quick first read and look, I like it. If I were in the crossover market, I would certainly take a close look at it, probably over the more pricey FX34/45. 

As to utility, there is little of that here, it's not meant to have, none of the crossovers do (in the sense of Jeep-like rough going offroad and rock crawling). This is clearly a pavement vehicle like every other crossover. Sooner the handle of "SUV" gets dropped, the better IMO.

[airbalancer]

It is just a tall wagon, which for me would be great, every year it is getting hard to get out of low seating cars

[initial_D]

One thing I dislike about CUV is the ride height, even if they tune the suspension to pull 0.85g+ on the skid pad, but I am still not liking it as much as a real car. Can’t beat the utility in them tho. The EX seem like a good fit, will book a test when there is an opportunity.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Interior looks very luxuriously done and sporty at the same time. Good job.

Exterior I just don't like. Sure it's swoopy, but a little definition-less. And too much wasted space for sake of design (long hood, roofline) to appeal to me.

The engine, pricing, style, and value will sell 'em tho.

[zloy]

I wish they made 2 less doors and 6 speed shifter available - it would've been perfect !

[Mitlov]

I don't understand how both this and the FX35 can survive in the same lineup.  They're both G35-based five-seat sporty crossovers.  Sure, the EX is slightly smaller, but they just seem too similar to me, unless they boost the size of the FX and maybe add third-row seating.

[BJB]

I really like the interior, not too crazy about the exterior.  I don't really think it fits the market very well and I'm not too crazy about the price, if they were a few thousand cheaper, say $39,000 they'd have a winner, I just don't like the price point.

[Benhaze]

I don't really think it fits the market very well and I'm not too crazy about the price, if they were a few thousand cheaper, say $39,000 they'd have a winner, I just don't like the price point.

 

I also find it is priced a little too high. I guess it helps Infiniti justifying (in their mind) the ever ascending FX price...  The article doesn't mention anything about cargo capacity, which is a serious shortcoming of the FX. If the EX cargo is smaller than the FX, I wouldn't even qualify it as a tall wagon.

Mitlov, I also agree with you. I'm afraid the EX is bad news for the FX fans since its availability only makes sense if the FX grows a bit, with an added 3rd row seat as you mentioned. Expect the FX to go after the MDX crowd while the EX competes with the RDX.

[carcrazy]

IIRC the cargo is 16.2 cu.ft. behind the second row which makes it incredibly small.

[Snowman]

About as exciting as a dish of vanilla ice cream.

[DockMan]

I don't understand how both this and the FX35 can survive in the same lineup.  They're both G35-based five-seat sporty crossovers.  Sure, the EX is slightly smaller, but they just seem too similar to me, unless they boost the size of the FX and maybe add third-row seating.

Is the FX nearing the end of it's life cycle? Maybe it won't be around to compete for long.

[BJB]

About as exciting as a dish of vanilla ice cream.

Vanilla is a popular flavour 

[Mitlov]

Is the FX nearing the end of it's life cycle? Maybe it won't be around to compete for long.

If it was to replace the FX, I assume they'd just call it the FX.  After all, they didn't re-name the G for the G's second generation.  I'm more inclined to believe that the second-generation FX will come out in 2009, and will be bigger.  It's kind of like how when the 2006 RAV4 came out, it was nearly the same size as the Highlander, until the bigger Highlander came out the next year.

The EX is good competition for the RDX and X3, but the FX is going to have to upsize to be a credible alternative to the new MDX and X5.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

IIRC the cargo is 16.2 cu.ft. behind the second row which makes it incredibly small.

Could be the only compact ute the VW Tiguan bests in the cargo department 

[DockMan]

I'm more inclined to believe that the second-generation FX will come out in 2009, and will be bigger.

That was my thought/assumption as well.