First Look: 2008 Infiniti EX35 Compact SUV

• Competes with: BMW X3, Acura RDX
• Looks like: A lifted G35 sedan
• Drivetrain: 290-hp, 3.5-liter V-6, with five-speed automatic; all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Winter 2007

The luxury compact SUV market is a small one and Infiniti is entering the fray with a bang. The all-new EX35 will sport the same engine as the new G35 sedan but with less horsepower, an estimated “290-plus” hp. That’s quite a bit of power for a small utility vehicle, but having a power advantage over the Acura RDX and the BMW X3 immediately gives shoppers a reason to wait for the EX35 to arrive at dealers.

The list of features on the EX35 is long but a few of the niftiest toys is a “scratch shield” paint that is self healing and can repair light scratches over time. There’s also an optional Around View Monitor system that shows the driver a 360 degree representation of the vehicle and surrounding obstacles. A lane departure warning system will also be optional.

We’ll have more information, prices and photos on the EX35 as more information becomes available. You can find a few more photos, including one of the interior, below.   

Comments

Look's Great!

Overall good looks, although some original front end styling would have been nice. Great job on the self-repairing paint, I hope that trickles down to the most basic Nissan car in the near future.

Do you guys mean it will be in dealers in winter 2008, not winter 2007?

Winter '08 would be after December.

Way to go Infiniti. Finally a fast crossover for people who don't want to drive four wheel elephants sized SUV's. It feels like Infiniti is making a push toward tier 1 luxury with this one. If this is entry level I would like to see what happens to the FX and M later.

A. Driver,

"Finally a fast crossover for people who don't want to drive four wheel elephants sized SUV's."

What about the RAV4 V6?

Infiniti always has fast products. This one looks like a G35 but one that has a rear end and that drives higher. I like the FX but the styling is offensive and rearward visibility is poor. The engine is awesome as if offers over 290 hp. I was wondering why a power liftgate was not even on the options list as its one of the necessary features that active buyers look into. The interior looks more compact but elegantly crafted with the companies design language. This crossover should prove worthy against its luxury rivals.

I wondered does this thing has any relation with the Nissan Rogue?

A beautiful design, typical of Infiniti's softly flowing organic curves and definitely bears a resemblance to the rest of the family. One slight quibble I have is that the sloping angle of the rear glass evokes the RX (to a lesser extent the FX) and just like that SUV, it probably robs the cargo area of valuable cubic footage for sake of a swoopy rear profile.

The EX will need those 290 horses when the RAV4 V6 has 269 and the IS350's has 306. Why? Because the forthcoming smallish Lexus utility will likely have a power rating somewhere between the two.

Anybody else see a little of the Subaru B9 Tribeca in the rear of this oddly styled vehicle?

Infiniti dealers today got the official ordering guide for the EX35. The guide outlines the color choices and option packages for the 4 models offered. Two of the "base" models will have no optional packages available and come in only "wheat cloth" interiors. For full details abd color charts go to:
http://www.leaseinfinitiex35.com/news/2008-Infiniti-EX35-Color-Chart.htm