Suburban Dad: 2007 Infiniti FX45
Driving the FX45 turned out to be a battle of genders. Having driven it through a blizzard-like snowstorm (4 inches of snow fell during my two-hour commute home), I became very enamored of the FX45’s sure footing, nimble acceleration and easy handling. My teenage son thought the car looked cool, had plenty of space and was very comfortable. My 10-year-old was so comfortable he fell asleep in the backseat.
My wife was less impressed with the FX45’s looks. “It can’t decide if it wants to be a car or an SUV,” she scoffed, referring to it as “The Roller Skate.” I asked my tweener daughter if she’d want to be seen getting out of it at the junior high school, and she replied: “No, it’s too weird.”
Of course, it’s often what’s on the inside that matters, and on that front virtually everyone agreed. The FX45 has very comfortable leather seats with strong support, and like a lot of other Nissan cars I’ve driven lately, the driver’s seat moves back when you’re getting in and out of the car, and the steering wheel backs out of the way. It’s a small thing, I know, but I find it very helpful, given my large frame. My wife was particularly happy with the layout of the controls. The navigation system, while almost the same as the system I encountered in the Nissan Quest, is better because it uses a wheel and button to select numbers and letters for an address, rather than the Quest’s rather bulky joystick.
The backseat was roomy for the kids, although the middle “seat” is less than comfortable. Lucky for me, I never had more than two kids back there at a time. The biggest drawback for me was the lack of space in the cargo area for groceries and stuff you might pick up from Target or Costco. There’s just not much “there” there.
What impressed me most about the FX45 was its handling in that snowstorm. In addition to all of the snow, it was brutally cold, so much so that the snow wasn’t melting, making traveling even more treacherous. The FX45 handled it all well, and the car only slid once, on a poorly plowed side street near my house. I was able to get some time in the FX45 when it wasn’t snowing, and that was a joy. Getting up to freeway speeds was easy, and although the ride could get bumpy from the tight suspension, it was always sure-footed. The FX45 comes with lane departure warning for when you’re traveling 45 mph or faster, but after two days I had to turn it off. It began mistaking salt-covered strips of asphalt as lane lines, and the beeping nearly drove me over the edge.
Would we buy this as our second car? Well, I would, but my wife’s strong feelings about “The Roller Skate” look means it’ll have to be just a distant, pleasant memory for me.
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That's funny; my wife LOVES the way the FX looks. She says it's like a concept car for the real world.
I was honestly indifferent about it until we sat in one at an auto show, and it became apparent how brilliant the packaging was on the inside. It doesn't LOOK all that comfy, until you sit inside and experience it.
I have a 04 fx45. I'm very happy with it, however I think my avg MPG is around 13 (75% city). Horrible gas mileage. But I'm happy with it overall, looks, performance, cargo space (although nothing like our LandCruiser), interior, tech features, and reliability. The stock tires are at the end of their life, so its snow handling is almost very dangerous right now. My only complaints so far are the gas mileage, turning circle (embarrassing in parking lots), and ... that's about it.
I'm considering trading it in for a smaller, more fuel efficient car (07 Mazdaspeed 3). I'm worried down the line if I'll regret trading in the FX45 for the Mazda. PLUS my wife doesn't want the MazdaSpeed3 (but I think it'll be fun, plus I get to save some money, and have 'some' space for the kid's stuff).
i like how its not the usual box SUVs, to many people think thats how SUVs should look.
I love the FX45, and have since it first came out. I cant really say anything about how it drives, since this would be a (If I come into alot of money) vehicle but it is very comfortable and every time I go to the car show I always sit in it and for at least 8 to 10 minutes, next year when my lease is up I am going to price both the FX45 and the FX35 at the used car lot, though around where I live there arent many in the used car section, oh well one can dream.
I have an 2004 FX45 and just love it. It is the best combination of sport (0-60 in 6.2 seconds, 0.92 G road holding), cargo carrying ability, technology, and design. When it was introduced, only the Porsche Cayenne Turbo was faster, and that cost nearly double the price.
After 4+ years the design still looks fresh and other companies are copying many design elements. Compare the FX to the face of the new Hyundai Santa Fe, for example. The design of the FX was perhaps a few years to a generation too early, but now there are many carlike "Crossover" vehicles that emphasize sports sedan styling vs truckish designs.
The FX was the first mainstream car to feature a proximity key to unlock and start the car. It is just now, again 4 years later, that other car companies are starting to offer this technology, but many times making it an expensive option.
As for pricing, the FX appears to depreciate fast. "Leftover" 2006 model FXs are being discounted up to $13k off MSRP right now. Used 2003 models are selling in the lower ~$20k.
There is a very strong community of FX owners that center around the forums at http://www.infinitifx.org/phpBB2/
Put me in the "It's Ugly" camp along with Suburban Dad's spouse. I'm not so sure it looks like a roller skate, maybe more like a "Car of Tomorrow" from a 1947 issue of Popular Mechanics. (Although, a friend of mine describes it as a sneaker on steroids, so the shoe analogy is catching on, I guess.)
The oversize tires and small greenhouse make the car look bloated and cut into usable space for passengers and cargo, so regardless of its powerful engine and luxury appointments I have to turn thumbs down.
I love my 05 FX45, Fun to drive, plenty of cargo space once the seats are folded down, and they actually fold down flat! I don't mind the gas milage so much as the squeeking brakes when in reverse; a well documented problem with the FX.
My wife would be a distant memory if she made stupid comments like that, how about "sure honey, if you like it, its your car!"
in the first picture, is it one side lights on? (parking light) if so, could you tell me how to turn one side lights on while the car is parked and turned off?
regards