Pros:The front seating is very roomy and comfortable for a large/tall person. Steering wheel accessibility of most major console functions enable the driver to keep his mind on the road. Hidden console functions such as maintenance scheduler, tire pressure monitor, and more are wonderful extras.
The styling and appearance is the factor that will either convince someone to buy or not buy the car as it is so headturning. The ability to change the headlight levels from the dash, the Xenon bulbs, and the wide spray of light make night driving much easier to deal with. Driving on the highways, youll see many Lexus SUV models but very few Infiniti FXs, making the car fun to be seen in.
Cons:
The rear cargo area is quite cramped. Fortunately, releasing the rear seats forward is quite simple and easy to perform with one hand, which youll need to do if you buy very much at the grocery store. Visibility from the rear window is also challenging, especially with the very dark rear window. Using the rear bumper mounted camera is a feature youll find yourself using often.
2006 Infiniti FX: Highlights
Infinitis car-type SUV moves some options to standard status for 2006. This five-seat wagon comes in FX35 and FX45 form. FX35 teams a 280-hp V6 with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. FX45 has a 320-hp V8 and AWD. Both use a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate. FXs AWD lacks low-range gearing. ABS, traction/antiskid control, and xenon headlamps are standard. So are front side airbags and curtain side airbags with rollover deployment.
Infinitis optional Lane Departure Warning system sounds an alert when the vehicle crosses lane dividers. Its included in a Technology Package along with a navigation system and adaptive cruise control. A sport suspension is standard for FX45, available for FX35. For 06, FXs get minor styling revisions and a rearview camera is among features now standard instead of optional. Also, FX35 joins FX45 with standard leather upholstery, heated front seats, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, and driver-seat memory. Keyless starting and rear DVD entertainment are among the options.
Strong V8 performance and sound
The V8 sounds came through confidently in the test vehicle. Nissan officials said the exhaust system was tuned specifically so drivers would hear a sporty sound.
Power was ample and smoothly delivered in the FX45 via the V8 thats derived from the one thats in Infinitis flagship Q45 sedan. Its mated to a standard five-speed automatic transmission that includes a manual shift mode to allow drivers to select gears themselves, without depressing a clutch pedal, so they can maximize performance.
Though it weighed some 4,300 pounds, the V8-powered FX45 was a spirited runner, getting around slower vehicles quickly and efficiently. Torque is a generous 329 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. In contrast, the X5s base 4.4-liter V8 has maximum 290 horsepower and 324 foot-pounds of torque.
But premium fuel is recommended for the FX45, and fuel economy is rated at just 15 miles a gallon in city driving. This is akin to the fuel economy of some big SUVs.
Airbags, power features aplenty
Power amenities, including eight-way power driver seat, are standard, even on the base FX model. A bevy of airbags— frontal, side and curtain—also are standard.
Interestingly, roof rails are optional, giving buyers a choice of whether to make the vehicle look more, or less, like an SUV. Look closely at the rear taillights of the FX. To help create downforce during speedy travel, the lamps stick out beyond the FX sheet metal.
Lastly, note that the FX is not a model thats shared with Infinitis other brand, Nissan, even though Nissan has an intriguingly styled Murano crossover. In fact, the FX is built on the platform thats used for the Infiniti G35 and Nissan 350Z cars, while the Murano is on a different platform. The only major item the two vehicles share is the V6 engine, and its mounted transversely in the Murano while its longitudinal in the FX.
Five-passenger, five doors
Infinitis first crossover, the FX is available in two trims. The FX35 is powered by a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter double overhead cam V6 and is available with either rear- or all-wheel drive. Wheels and tires are 18 inches in diameter.
Starting manufacturers suggested retail price for a two-wheel-drive trim is just over $34,000. The up-level FX45 has a 315-horsepower 4.5-liter double overhead cam V8 under the hood, standard all-wheel drive and those 20-inch tires and wheels. Starting price is just over $44,000.
Note the broad price range here, with some $10,000 variation. This means the FX competes both with competitors like the Acura MDX that only offer V6 power and are priced in the mid-$30,000s as well as competitors with V8s, like BMWs X5 4.4i, which is in the $50,000 range.
Overall Review:
buying the FX35 is not a decision youll regret. Although it does not have the power of the FX45, it does have better mileage. Getting to 60 in 4 seconds as opposed to 6 seconds is not a problem for me. Driving the FX35 is a real pleasure and the quality feel of the car is most reassuring if you intend to keep it for several years. To answer the question, the FX35 is most definitely a "spaceship" that seems to float down the road.
If you want an SUV Crossover that drives like a sports car, but has the utilty AWD and all the gizmos and gadgets and all the safety features one could ask for, then the FX is for you. If you want something boring and uninspired, that no one will notice as is goes down the road, then get something else.