By AARON COLE
Managing Editor, MediaOne Utah
How much difference does nine years make?
In 2001, Infiniti unleashed its “bionic cheetah,” a sweeping feline crossover SUV that defined a new class of automobiles the rest of the world took years to catch up with. BMW coined the moniker “Sports Activity Vehicle” to verbally quarantine the X6 a couple years ago, but in truth, Infiniti was the first to the SAV table with the design — sans confusing label.Whether or not we’ve caught up to what Infiniti engineers imagined in the FX line at the time is debatable, but one thing is for certain — the FX is often duplicated and impossible to ignore.
So what we’re dealing with in the 2010 Infiniti FX35 is evolutionary genesis by a slight degree. The FX marked the beginning of the four-door coupe/SUV, and for the most part Infiniti hasn’t deviated from the concept vehicle it introduced in 2001. Infiniti has made subtle tweaks to the transmission and engine offerings, but the FX remains unique in its dedication to the SUV/crossover/coupe market it created nine years ago.
It would hold then that by sticking to a design that’s nearly a decade old, Infiniti would run the risk of being outdated. After all like Bob Dylan sang, “The times, they are a-changin’.”
OK, so maybe His Bobness didn’t have luxury SUVs in mind when he wrote that.
But let’s get the little details out of the way first. This year marks a few changes to the major overhaul introduced in 2008. Standard fitting this year is a 7-speed automatic transmission mated to either a 5-liter V8 or an enhanced 3.5-liter V6 engine. Both transmission and engine upgrades are nothing to sneeze at, but the lineup closely mirrors the available powertrain choices Infiniti has delivered in the past.
You’ll notice inside the FX the same opulent trimmings they’ve packed into previous versions of the crossover. Comfortable leather seating, power moonroof, sweeping headlights and dual-zone climate control highlight the luxury features that come standard. Satellite navigation and massive 21-inch Enkei wheels headline the options that are available to buyers with a little more in their wallets.
The Infiniti FX then is a very interesting car. While the list of features and optional kit it has to offer are pretty standard fare — even though it’s wildly lush by my impoverished standards — the exterior and purpose of the car is what’s extraordinary.
From the outset, Infiniti has offered the FX to be much more than a high rider with sporty looks. It actually lives up to the sporty ideals.
The FX is infectiously fun to drive, and with sport mode engaged it comes within breathing distance of a real-life sports car. The FX50 equipped with a 5-liter, 390 horsepower engine boasts a 0 to 60 mph time in fewer than 6 seconds and the smaller FX35 fitted with a 3.5-liter V6 makes the same run in around 6.5 seconds. Handling is crisp, sharp and responsive and the FX truly shows off that prowess in the corners. Even in normal circumstances the FX feels like a coiled spring, ready to pounce off the line and keep pace with cars that weigh hundreds of pounds less.
Not to say that the FX lives and breathes only on the track. The FX populates more mall parking lots than Manolo heels pack Nordstrom’s shoe racks. In that way, the FX doubles as a domestic kitty cat.
So has time finally caught up with the FX? Not really. With best-in-class handling and speed, the FX still likely leads the crowd it created 10 years ago ahead of other offerings — but they’re catching up.
Meaning the 2010 Infiniti FX may embody another Dylan song best.
“Forever young.”
Aaron Cole is a syndicated auto columnist and managing editor of MediaOne of Utah, and has driven hundreds of new cars — but only briefly. By most accounts he is wrong and has proudly been banned on Internet message boards. Send complaints, compliments or supplemental income to aaron.m.cole@gmail.com.
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