The first FX was several leaps ahead of rival premium mid-size crossover vehicles, acting and looking more like a stylish large sports sedan than a crossover, which essentially is a car-based SUV.
The significantly improved second-generation 2009 FX is even more appealing, with slightly bolder styling, more power and added safety items.
2008 Infiniti FX
Price: $40,950-$56,700
Likes: Improved second-generation model. Upscale. Rakish. More power. Fast. Sharp handling. Roomy. More safety features.
Dislikes: So-so economy. Occasionally slow transmission downshifts. Narrow rear doorways. Rather high cargo opening.
The high-quality FX comes with rear- or all-wheel drive (AWD) in two trim levels -- the FX35 with a 3.5-liter V-6 and the FX50, with a 5-liter V-8.
Bypass the $56,700 FX50, which comes only with AWD, unless you're a hard-core performance fan -- it does 0-60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. Truth be told, its 5-liter, 390-horsepower V-8 (70 more than last year) is over-the-top. And it delivers only an estimated 14 mpg in the city and 20 on highways.
The FX50 rides quite firmly with wide 45-series tires on giant 21-inch wheels, although a costly $3,000 Sport Package contains a ride-softening Continuous Damping Control suspension with a sport setting..
The FX35 is no slug, with a 303-horsepower V-6 (up from 275), which hustles it to 60 mph in a quick 6.1 seconds.
Estimated FX35 fuel economy with rear-drive is 16 mpg in the city and 23 on highways, while the AWD setup provides 16 and 21. Premium fuel is recommended to get the best performance from either engine.
While no FX is a fuel miser, consider their rapid acceleration and the fact that they top 4,000 pounds. Not to mention fuel-eating aspects of AWD, which provides more traction but isn't meant for off-road use.
Both the V-6 and V-8 exhale exhaust through large dual outlets and work with a seven-speed automatic trans-mission, which enhances fuel economy and acceleration. However, it occasionally felt indecisive and a bit slow to downshift. That's occasionally a drawback with a transmission having so many speeds. But its manual-shift feature is easy to use with paddle shifters at the wheel or with the floor-mounted transmission lever.
There are many luxury vehicle comfort and convenience features. For instance, the FX35 has keyless entry and starting, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, power supportive front seats, power sunroof and tailgate, tilt-telescopic wheel and a Bose AM/FM radio with 11 speakers, in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer and a rearview camera.
The FX50 adds a navigation system and monitor that shows four sides of the vehicle on the navigation system screen, which is helpful in parking lots. The FX50 also has heated/cooled front seats and wood interior trim.
Safety items for both include traction control, an anti-skid system and front-side and side-curtain air bags.
Options include a DVD entertainment system, adaptive cruise control to prevent rear-end collisions in-town and on highways and a lane-departure warning system, which is especially handy for those who drive when overly tired or easily distracted. Items such as the navigation system and wood trim are offered in option packages for the FX35.
The FX35's 60-series tires on 18-inch wheels provide more cushioning from road shocks, although the FX50's larger tires allow superior handling. (You can get the FX35 with wider, optional 50-series tires on 20-inch wheels.) The FX35 has a supple ride, but one that's still firmer than gotten from rivals such as the Lexus RX.
But then, nearly all Lexus models are designed more for ride comfort than tackling twisty roads, which the FX does quite well. My test FX35 was a blast, with quick, nicely weighted, speed-sensitive steering, sharp handling and a brake pedal that was a bit soft but set up to deliver short, smooth stops.
The FX has plenty of comfortable space in its upscale interior for four tall adults, who sit fairly high, and is easy to enter or leave, with its fairly low floor and large door handles. The center of the backseat is best left to the fold-down armrest because it's too stiff for comfort. Rear doorways are rather narrow, but back doors open widely.
The backlit gauges can be read at a glance, but the power front windows move down and up at breakneck speeds -- just try to stop them when they're halfway up or down. The front/rear cupholders are conveniently placed.
The racy styling of the FX doesn't allow the largest cargo area in its class, and that area has a moderately high opening. But you can put a lot of stuff back there, and rear seatbacks fold flat to allow even items to be carried.
Door pockets, a large glovebox and fairly deep covered console bin provide average cabin storage.
The hood raises smoothly on dual hydraulic struts to reveal a neatly designed engine compartment.
Some might consider the FX to be too edgy, but it's one of the most rakish and fun-to-drive mid-size crossover vehicles.
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