CTC Review: 2008 Infiniti EX35

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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Can you believe this is the first Infiniti vehicle I have reviewed?  I still amazes that I can get a new vehicle nearly every week and yet I have still not sampled something from every manufacturer.  This week, my ride is the new 2008 Infiniti EX35, a small crossover with luxury and sporting intentions.  More...

[Loudpedal]

I think the EX represents very good value for 40K.   Nearly 300hp, AWD and the list goes on. 

James, I think the photo link is broken though...   

[abc]

dont make a SUV if you dont know how to give it proper ground clearance.

[Jack]

Infiniti doesn't claim this is a SUV. This is marketed to people who never intend to go off-road (which is most SUV owners).

[carcrazy]

Wing, what else is left out as an option on your tester?

[Demosthenes X]

dont make a SUV if you dont know how to give it proper ground clearance.

It's not an SUV - it's a "crossover".  Which is just a trendy way of saying it's a wagon.

And a gorgeous wagon, at that!    Too bad it can't be had with a stickshift - I might go so far as to call it competition for the STI and EVO then.

I wondered the same thing.  I actually
Wing, what else is left out as an option on your tester?

Sounds like it's missing the "Custom Leather Package", which from what I can tell is mostly the same equipment as the Premium package, which he does have, but adds leather.  Funny that Infiniti would build a loaded vehicle but then not give it leather...

I built one of these on Infiniti's website, and I have to say, I hate hate hate their packaging scheme.  It's bad enough they put everything into these silly packages in the first place, but with the EX, each package requires the addition of some other package.  Example: I can't have the Premium package without the Journey Package.  The Journey Package is imo useless and overpriced, but the Premium package is good.  So basically the Premium package is $4700, not $1700 like the options list says.  Worse still: to get the Technology package you have to opt for every other package, meaning the real cost of that Tech package is $10 250.

Still, love the looks of this vehicle, and even loaded it seems like reasonable value.

[Mattesa]

I was quite pleasantly surprised when I saw an EX in person for the first time.  The thing is really small!   Like a Subaru Forester if it were sleek and sexy.

Gimme one at $38,400 with RWD!     Don't need no stinkin' packages!

[lucid0703]

I think this is a quite good vehicle with an attractive design inside and out.
A great choice to people who want a G35's performance + luxury, but would prefer a bit more space.

[inco]

I wonder if this is built on the same platform as the Rogue. Is it too much of a coincidence that they both come out within a few months of each other?  Not that it matters with platform sharing and all and of course the EX has a V6 rather than the Rogue's four.

[wing]

From what I can tell it is missing the custom leather package as demo said.  Although the armrest sure does feel like leather it is missing the coat hanger on the headrest so I assume it is missing this package.  It is so hard to tell these days what is leather and what is not.  Feels like leather to me.

[jcon]

According to Infiniti.ca, financing is 4.9% over 60 months. Not bad for a new Infiniti model.

And as I write this an Infiniti commercial for Guelph Infiniti came on the Fan 590. It's a sign!

 

[airbalancer]

According to Infiniti.ca, financing is 4.9% over 60 months. Not bad for a new Infiniti model.

And as I write this an Infiniti commercial for Guelph Infiniti came on the Fan 590. It's a sign!

 

The only good time to listen to the Fan is 4-7pm
This is what I have on http://www.fox951.com/cc-common/hdradio/player.php?staid=WFXF-FM

[jcon]

That's nice too! Vinyl vineyard. 

[Mitlov]

I wonder if this is built on the same platform as the Rogue. Is it too much of a coincidence that they both come out within a few months of each other?  Not that it matters with platform sharing and all and of course the EX has a V6 rather than the Rogue's four.

Yes, it IS actually a complete coincidence.  The Rogue uses a transverse crankshaft setup and is based off of the Sentra.  The EX uses a longitudinal crankshaft setup and is based off of the G35.

[cricri1234]

I love this car it's really nice. With these crossovers though I'm concerned about the added weight without any benefits to the interior room. It's all about looks. The EX I saw at the auto show didn't seem any bigger inside than a regular sedan, while the extra weight will undoubtably hurt fuel mileage and bring higher maintenance bills. I'm still debating wether or not I'm ready to pay this premium and go for a crossover when my lease is up.

[kevlar]

hey a g35 hatchback/wagon!!   sweet.    nice WAGON infiniti.   too bad about not making a manual available.   otherwise this is a tight package.  it is good to see WAGONS coming back.   i will suggest this one to my brother.  he is looking for a WAGON but wants to keep buying japanese.   

[dorin]

I love this car it's really nice. With these crossovers though I'm concerned about the added weight without any benefits to the interior room. It's all about looks. The EX I saw at the auto show didn't seem any bigger inside than a regular sedan, while the extra weight will undoubtably hurt fuel mileage and bring higher maintenance bills. I'm still debating wether or not I'm ready to pay this premium and go for a crossover when my lease is up.

Crossovers are a nice replacement for truck-based SUVs in theory, but in practice they're generally too heavy.

[jcon]

hey a g35 hatchback/wagon!!   sweet.    nice WAGON infiniti.   too bad about not making a manual available.   otherwise this is a tight package.  it is good to see WAGONS coming back.   i will suggest this one to my brother.  he is looking for a WAGON but wants to keep buying japanese.   

What are you trying to say?

[quadzilla]

I think this EX is more hatch than wagon.  I think that is the same as my little Mazda P5 had  Doesn't the average sedan have a trunk size of 15cf? I'm surprised it is rated better EPA than the G35X though.

EX35

Trunk: 527 litres (18.6 cu. ft.)
City: 12.9 L/100 km (22 mpg Imp)
Hwy: 8.5 L/100 km (33 mpg Imp)

G35X

Trunk: 382 litres (13.5 cu. ft.)
City: 12.6 L/100 km (22 mpg Imp)
Hwy: 8.7 L/100 km (34 mpg Imp)

[tortoise]

You're right quad, the P5 has 19.8 Cu. Ft. of  cargo space and I don't consider  it to be large, at all. 

I haven't seen an EX in person, but I didn't know they were so small.

EDIT: Looking at photos, I guess it's the shape of the rear glass that limits the cargo space.   I wonder if the EX will suffer the same fate as the FX with it's form over function styling.