2013 Infiniti FX37 Video

The sporty Infiniti FX just got sportier for 2013 as the luxury crossover — now called the FX37 — gets a more powerful 325-horsepower V-6 along with improved fuel economy. Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley says what's most notable is how the low-slung FX37 punches up the driving experience without sacrificing utility. Can you overlook some subpar cabin features and limited visibility? Watch the video and decide.

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2013 Infiniti FX: Car Seat Check

Infiniti's curvaceous SUV has sporty styling and the driving dynamics to back it up, but its interior room is misleading. The FX is technically a five-seat midsize SUV, but a small backseat and a space-stealing floor hump in front of the middle seat means it's a tight squeeze. The lack of room coupled with odd Latch anchor placement complicated child-safety seat installation.

Why Luxury Sales Could Thrive in 2013

Leather-clad luxury cars may seem the domain of an affluent few. After all, this year's best-selling luxury car through March — the Mercedes-Benz C-Class — ranked 51st among all cars. But the group may be poised for a comeback. Total sales improved 12.3% in the first three months of 2013, outpacing the industry's 6.4% gain. By year's end, one in every 7.5 new cars sold in 2013 could be a luxury model.

That would buck a trend several years in the making. Luxury cars, including Buick, hovered around 13% of the new-car market from 2005 to 2010. In 2011 that share slid to 12.9%, and in 2012 it tumbled to 12.6%.

It seemed counterintuitive, given the wealthy are alive and well.

Recall Alert: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, Infiniti JX SUVs

Nissan is recalling more than 19,258 model-year 2013 Pathfinder and Infiniti JX SUVs due to a problem that could result in reduced braking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The vehicles were manufactured between Dec. 3, 2012, and Jan. 29, 2013. In these impacted cars the front brake torque member was improperly cast, resulting in structural weakness; this can lead to premature failure and cracking. If the part fails, the brake caliper could move and contact the inside of the road wheel, resulting in reduced braking and increasing the risk of a crash.

Nissan will begin notifying owners in early May, and dealers will replace the parts for free. The investigation was prompted by a field report in March of a braking failure, the Detroit News reported.

Owners can contact Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

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2014 Infiniti Q50 Sport Sedan Priced From $37,355, Includes Free iPad Mini

When it hits dealerships this summer, the all-new Infiniti Q50 will have a starting price of $37,355 (including a $905 destination charge). That's $900 less than the base price for the 2013 Infiniti G37 sedan, the car the Q50 replaces in Infiniti's lineup. The base Q50 comes with rear-wheel drive; adding all-wheel drive costs an extra $1,800. All trim levels come with a 328-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 and a seven-speed automatic transmission.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

The Q50 Hybrid is considerably more expensive with a starting price of $44,605 including destination, but it's also more powerful: Infiniti says the 3.5-liter V-6 and electric motor combine to produce 354 hp. Rear-drive is standard and all-wheel drive is again an additional $1,800.

Recall Alert: 2013 Nissan Altima, Leaf, Pathfinder, Sentra and Infiniti JX35

Nissan is recalling a yet-to-be-determined number of model-year 2013 versions of the Altima sedan, Leaf electric car, Pathfinder crossover and Sentra sedan due to a problem with the front passenger air bag sensor, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The JX35 crossover from the automaker's premium Infiniti brand is also part of the recall.

A manufacturing defect could cause the occupant sensors in the front passenger seat to fail in the affected vehicles. If an accident occurs, the airbag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. Nissan is still working with its supplier to determine how many vehicles will be recalled but drivers of affected vehicles will notice "The (red) supplemental air bag warning light (SRS light) will illuminate to alert the vehicle operator and the (amber) front passenger air bag status light will illuminate to alert the front seat passenger," the automaker said in a statement. 

Nissan will notify owners starting in early April 2013, and dealers will inspect and replace the affected sensors for free. Owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

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2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid at the 2013 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Acura MDX, Buick Enclave, Volvo XC90
• Looks like: An Infiniti JX35
• Drivetrain: Supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and lithium-ion battery pack paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2013

The Infiniti QX60 name may not sound familiar, but the crossover that bears it should jog your memory. It's the new-for-2013 JX35. For 2014, not only does the seven-passenger vehicle get the QX name change, but a hybrid model is joining the roster.

At the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer told Cars.com that every new Infiniti will offer a hybrid variant. The Q50 hybrid (formerly the G37) debuted at the show; up next is the QX60 — Infiniti's first hybrid crossover.

2013 Chicago Auto Show: What to Expect

The Windy City is considered one of the fan-friendliest destinations during auto-show season, and to that end the 2013 Chicago Auto Show is unlikely to disappoint. This show will give visitors a first glimpse of a few new vehicles along with a closer look at a host of exciting cars that made flashy debuts at the Detroit auto show.

The 2013 Chicago show — the 105th time the event has been held since 1901, according to organizers — will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 9-17 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 18, with media and charity previews Feb. 7-8, at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive. Organizers promote the Chicago show as the largest in terms of exhibit space used, as it occupies 1 million square feet of floor space and hosts about 1,000 vehicles.

For those most interested in the latest thing, the Chicago show will host the world debuts of the redesigned 2014 Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck and the Kia Cross GT Concept. That's in addition to the North American reveal of the new Chevrolet Cruze Diesel. The 2014 Ram ProMaster van and the custom Superman-inspired Kia Optima Hybrid also are expected to be unveiled.

Most-Watched Videos of the Week

It's the Ford Atlas' world this week, and our other most-watched videos are just living in it. The video, featuring PickupTrucks.com Editor Mark Williams' introduction of the Atlas concept truck at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit hauled straight to the top of the heap. The rest of the top five videos also are from the Detroit auto show, including last week's lone holdover — the show-stealing 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray; it moves up one spot to third place this week. Check out the top video above and see which others were popular this week:

1. Ford Atlas Concept
2. 2014 Infiniti Q50
3. 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
4. 2014 Lexus IS
5. 2014 Kia Sorento

Car Talk: What's the Ugliest Car?

Just as a person's beauty is only skin deep, a car's is in the eye of the pink-slip holder. Still, there's just no denying that some have a face only an owner could love. Tom and Ray Magliozzi, the hosts of NPR's "Car Talk" radio show, solicited input online to determine the ugliest automobile currently in production.

Based on the nominations received, the field was narrowed to 10: Chevrolet Spark, Fiat Multipla, Infiniti QX56, Kia Soul, Lincoln MKT, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan Cube, Nissan Juke (photo above), Toyota Prius v and the Smart ForTwo. At last check, the Multipla was trouncing the uncomely competition with nearly 39% of the vote. Its nearest opponent is the Juke with nearly 26%; the balance of the nominees' vote tallies were in the single digits.

Is the Multipla being unfairly maligned in the face of an uglier opponent? Or perhaps you wish to contribute to the pile-on? Click here to cast your vote.

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