2009 Infiniti FX35: She Said, She Said

Last year, Infiniti revamped its midsize SUV, the FX. It boasts a new interior and exterior, as well as a powerful V-6 engine in base FX35 form. It was that model that Beth and Amanda tested for this review.

Beth: It took me about 15 minutes to be completely won over by Infiniti’s FX35. I’ve always liked this crossover’s striking looks, and once inside my affection only grew. It wasn’t just that I was dazzled by the Around View Monitor, which displays a bird’s-eye view of the car when you shift into Reverse, it was how easy it was to use all the other gadgets it offers. Whether it was answering my phone using the FX35’s Bluetooth system or skimming through playlists on my iPod — displayed right there on the navigation screen — every command came completely naturally and intuitively in this car.

Infiniti Begins Winter Incentives Early

Last year, Infiniti’s Limited Engagement Winter Event offered some standard 0% financing deals throughout December. This year, Infiniti is reprising the deals, but doing so a month early. It’s offering 0% financing for 36 months on all remaining 2008 models.

Deals on 2008 models aren’t quite as beneficial for models like the FX and G35, both of which were redesigned significantly for the 2009 year, but on the EX — which was brand-new for 2008 and changed very little this year — a 0% deal on a 2008 is nearly as good as on a 2009.

For a full list of regional incentives, check out Cars.com’s Incentives Page.

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Infiniti FX35

Combining the sleek look of a smaller coupe with the utility of a crossover sounds good in theory, but what are you giving up in the process? If you're looking for cargo room and day-to-day utility in a vehicle, aren't you by definition willing to sacrifice the sporty look? The 2009 Infiniti FX35 strives to have it both ways, but the question remains, is that possible? Cars.com's David Thomas spent a week with the SUV, putting it through all the real-world rigors he could dream up. Find out how the FX35 did in his full review below.

2009 Infiniti FX35 Expert Review

Cars.com Videos: Hybrids, Convertibles and Hatchbacks, Oh My!

2009 Infiniti FX35: From its menacing grille to its seven-speed transmission, the sporty FX35 is really fun to drive, David Thomas says.

2008 Saab 9-3 convertible: This redesigned convertible, with its distinctive front grille, looks good, David says, but it doesn’t match up to its competition.

2008 MazdaSpeed3: There’s no need to compromise utility for performance with this lively hatchback, Mike Hanley says.

2008 Mercury Sable: The Sable is a sleek-looking, well-proportioned car with lots of passenger and cargo space, Mike says.

2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid: Kelsey Mays takes a closer look at the Aspen Hybrid, which gets 19/20 mpg city/highway and can tow up to 6,000 pounds. Try doing that with a Prius.

2008 Kia Sportage: Even with its bargain-basement price, Kelsey says the Sportage no longer measures up to its competition.

View and share all of Cars.com’s videos via YouTube.

2009 Infiniti FX35, FX50 Priced Thousands Higher Than Outgoing Models

We recently got to drive the all-new 2009 Infiniti FX35, and we came away impressed. We’re not sure how impressed we would have been if we knew Infiniti was planning to raise the prices $2,900 for the rear-wheel-drive FX35, $2,800 for the all-wheel-drive FX35 and $6,600 for the range-topping all-wheel-drive FX50. They go on sale June 24. 

2009 Pricing

• FX35 RWD: $40,950
• FX35 AWD: $42,350
• FX50 AWD: $56,700

Prices do not include a $815 destination charge.

Sure, the new FX gets significant upgrades, most notably in the drivetrain and looks departments. The FX35 features a 303-hp V-6, while the FX50 gets a monstrous 390-hp V-8. That’s 28 and 70 more horsepower than the outgoing models, respectively. Both come with a new seven-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy numbers have not been released yet. Update: The FX50 does come standard with a navigation system and Infiniti's Around View Monitor system which costs $2,850 as a navigation package on the FX35. Package prices are also now listed below.

Keep reading for more info on standard features and option packages. Let us know if you think the price is right, or if the FX misses the mark. It’s still about $10,000 less than a new BMW X6. 

New Infiniti FX Fights Foul Smells

Malodorous mishaps, meet your match (and thus ends our weekly allowance for words beginning with M). Infiniti’s redesigned FX crossover will include a feature called Plasmacluster Filtration that ionizes and deionizes the cabin to remove any olfactory offenders within. The result is a car that can clean its own air, FX product manager Stefan Conrady told Automotive News.

The system has two settings: Clean Mode emits ions to catch mold spores and other particles, while Ion Mode floods the interior with negative ions to replicate the crisp-air freshness you get after a rainstorm. Infiniti reportedly put the system through a battery of tests, including blowing cigarette smoke into the car and leaving leftover food behind. Spokesman Kyle Bazemore said Plasmacluster can reduce allergens, and because its filtration techniques strictly clean the air, it won’t introduce any new smells to cover the old. Frankly, we hope it doesn’t work too well — we’d hate to forget a leftover salad long enough for the ranch to turn into Roquefort.

Toyota also has a plasmacluster system that ionizes the cabin in certain trim levels of the Camry. Both come from Sharp Electronics, the company behind everything from widescreen TVs to, well, plasmacluster. The system is standard in the 2009 FX50. It’s not available in the FX35, but Bazemore said that if the market likes it, Plasmacluster will likely spread to other models.

Video: 2009 Infiniti FX

When the FX hits the streets this summer there’s no doubt it will scare some young children who cross its path. Its menacing grille and bold styling cover an impressive performance machine. In the video here, Kelsey Mays takes a look at the 2009 in all its purple glory. 


Share this video via YouTube
More on the 2009 Infiniti FX

Up Close: 2009 Infiniti FX

Where the new Nissan Maxima seemed an assertive step forward, Infiniti’s new FX doesn’t impress me quite as much. Its cabin has the same high beltline as the previous generation, which gives drivers a hunkered-down feeling in the cockpit. The wood and metallic trim are convincing and occasionally creative — they curl around the door handles in both rows of seats, for example — but I’m not crazy about the leather seats’ diamond-cut inserts. Typically you see this pattern in cars that cost a bloody fortune, where the quality of leather (and number of Bessys slain for it) befits the style. Sorry, but the cowhide here doesn’t smack of six figures.

Other aspects largely parallel the first FX: The sloping hatch creates a nasty blind spot and cuts off significant luggage room. The second row has the same convenient pull handles in the trunk to send it down. (Some may want a power-folding second row, as the EX and new Nissan Murano have, but it doesn’t appear the new FX will go that route.)

As was the case before, redemption will probably come with a good old-fashioned stomp on the gas. The outgoing FX45’s 320-hp V-8 was oodles of fun, and the prospect of a larger, 390-hp V-8 should give car nuts something to look forward to. If that doesn’t strike your fancy, the technology should — there’s Nissan’s Around View 360-degree monitor, a lane-departure prevention system and full-range cruise control that can bring the car to a complete stop. More photos of the FX from the show floor are below.

Related:
2008 Geneva Motor Show: 2009 Infiniti FX

2008 Geneva Motor Show: 2009 Infiniti FX

• Competes with: Acura MDX, BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne
• Looks like: The current FX with a new front end
• Drivetrain: V-6 engine (details TBA) or a 390-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 with seven-speed automatic; rear- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: June 2008

In many ways, Infiniti's FX is more like a high-riding sports car than an SUV — it shares its platform with the Nissan 350Z sports car. For 2009, the FX receives some mild styling updates, a revised interior and a more powerful V-8 engine.

The FX retains its swoopy profile, but the front of the SUV receives some changes. In place of the previous model's trapezoidal headlights are new housings that have a jagged lower edge. The horizontal chrome bars on the grille have been ditched in favor of an open design that's accented with chrome around the edges. The front fenders also gain chrome appliqués, which seem to be the design cue of choice these days.

New 2009 Infiniti FX to Debut in Geneva

Infiniti is using the world debut of its redesigned FX SUV to launch the brand in Western Europe. The FX will be seen for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, but will make its North American debut a few weeks later at the New York auto show. We’ll have more information on the new FX closer to its unveiling.