2011 INFINITI EX35 JOURNEY

[marwan25]

th rear-wheel-drive and a more wagon-like profile, the EX35 isn’t your average people and cargo hauler. We dished it out among the Corollas and Bentley that litter America’s roads to see if the EX35 still has what it takes.

What is it?
A five-place people mover-slash-cargo carrier for families needing a means to move baby seats, pets, soccer gear, and the occasional bag or two of mulch. At its core, the EX is based on the same architecture that underpins most of Infiniti’s rear-wheel-drive lineup, including the G sedan and larger FX crossover.

Not too big, nor too small. if Goldilocks drove, she might consider it just right. North America sees the EX in 3.5-liter trim (hence EX35), but Europe and Japan get a zippier EX37 with Infiniti’s larger V6, while China gets an EX25 with Infinit’s smaller V6.

What’s it up against?
For the 2011 model year, the EX35 finds itself grille to grille with some of the brightest in the business.

For starters, consider the Volvo XC60, or the Audi Q5. The XC60 is the most polarizing design of the bunch, while from a distance, the Audi could be a Volkswagen Tiguan. The BMW X3 and Mercedes GLK350 are also there, too.

The one thing they have that the EX doesn’t is more space to haul people and their things. But such is life – filled with all sorts of tradeoffs.

Any breakthroughs?
We still think the design is a breakthrough. That and the light blue metallic paint that covered our ride. Oh, and let’s not forget the seven-speed automatic transmission that has been available almost everywhere else in the Infiniti line. Then there are the other techno-fab pieces like the Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Departure Prevention systems, Full-speed Intelligent Cruise Control, Distance Control Assist, and finally the Blind Spot Warning system.

That’s in addition to the 360-degree Around View Camera that artificially stitches together four views to give the appearance that regardless of where you are driving, it appears there is a camera hanging directly over the top of your vehicle.

How does it look?
When you compare the EX with big brother FX, you get the impression that the EX came out on top when the genetics were being sorted out. Not that the catfish, er FX isn’t handsome in its own way. But the reality is that the EX35 shares many of its good looks, technology and platform with the G37 four-door. In many ways, we the EX really seems like a G wagon.

From the grille all the way around to the rear exhaust finishers, a plastic cladding extends the height of the vehicle’s side. It’s a fairly common practice these days, especially on crossovers that may try to appear off-road capable. With our Infiniti and its rear-wheel-drive setup (all-wheel-drive is optional), we didn’t even make an attempt at some of the rough terrain that is South Florida.

Chrome trim strips frame the greenhouse, and blacked out B, C and D-pillars help to minimize the size that comes with adding various safety items like air curtains and seat side-curtain airbags. The overall look is finished off nicely with 19-inch split-spoke wheels mounted with Bridgestone Potenza sport tires. The liftgate is equipped with a curved expanse of glass covered by a rear window shade. It provides a nice clean finish as set off by the chrome roof rails.

And on the inside?
Once again, Infiniti shows that it is at the top of its game as far as interior design is concerned. Our Arctic Blue test model came with a wheat-colored interior accented by maple wood trim on the doors and dashboard.

The business side of the interior features a two-gauge binnacle that is populated by a tachometer on the left and a speedo on the right that flanks a 3-inch diagonal information readout in the middle. Infiniti has managed to avoid going to the spinning control dial as seen in Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and, yes, Hyundai vehicles. Instead, the firm has opted to use the joystick-style of control where you scroll left or right, and up or down before clicking the ok button. A Bose XM-equipped audio system keeps things entertaining inside.

Large, living room chair-style front seats kept us firmly tucked in during our tracking through twisties. Mind you, this is not to say it’s a sports car, but it is a capable car. So the bolsters were a welcomed feature on the logo-embroidered driver and front passenger seats. The rear seats had the ability to recline their seatback rake to make it more comfortable, but legroom became a bit challenging when we climbed behind the driver’s seat, which was already adjusted for an average human’s proper driving position.

Materials are a step below the FX, but so is the price. Nothing looks or feels out of place and everything seemed exceptionally well screwed together in our tester. We wouldn’t have said that a decade ago about an Infiniti, but now we would be downright shocked to see anything else.

Cargo space in the “way back” was accommodating for 18.6 cubic feet with the 60-40 split seats in the upright and locked position. Fold them flat, and your space grows to 47.4 cubic feet.

But does it go?
Following Infiniti’s (and Nissan’s) economy of scale, the EX shares underpinnings with its sistership, the G sedan. But with the EX 5.6 inches shorter in overall length at 182.3, than the G’s 187.9-inches, it is able to bring forth a sporty car feel that actually makes it a fun driver.

Our tester had the ubiquitous, if aging, VQ35HR 3.5-liter V6 engine, which produces 297 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque. It’s still quite stout, but it shouldn’t be too long before the 3.7-liter finds its way under the hood of this smallest of the luxury CUVs that Infiniti sells in this country. It would seem like a natural mid-cycle upgrade to us.

On the plus side, though is the new seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, D/S Mode, and downshift rev-matching. Our EX RWD weighed in at 3,795 lbs., and according to the EPA, managed to tick off 17 city and 24 highway miles per gallon during government testing. During our week with the car, we averaged about 22 miles per gallon, which is about what Infiniti expected us to do.

From a handling standpoint, the EX is equipped with a subframe mounted double-wishbone setup that has high-performance dual-pass shock absorbers with a 26mm stabilizer bar in front. A multi-link setup, again with the dual-pass high-performance shock absorbers and 24.2mm stabilizer bar is seen hanging around at the rear. A speed-determined variable-power assist handles steering.

The EX was quite the performer throughout our week of constant cruising. Eager to get up and go, it rewarded us with quick starts and good braking at the other end of the spectrum.

Handling like a vehicle that managed to hunker down a lot closer to the pavement, we felt as though we were actually in the G37 sedan instead. We appreciated how easily it tucked into parallel parking spots, and when necessary, how quickly it scooted back into traffic again.

Once again, the thought “Infiniti G wagon” came to mind.

Why you would buy it:
You are on your way up towards needing a gargantuan SUV but since the kids and/or dog are smaller, this EX will do for a few years.

Why you wouldn’t:
You are put off but the roundish styling and the rear-drive-only layout of the EX, and instead prefer to go four wheeling with the AWD model, or another brand entirely.

Leftlane’s bottom line
Infiniti’s entry-luxury EX35 crossover is the perfect vehicle for urban-dwellers that either don’t have the space, or are not ready for the larger CUVs and SUVs currently on the market.

With its handsome exterior, and well-equipped interior, it is just the thing for around-town grocery getting or garage sale carousing – as long as your intended load is only so large.

Infiniti EX35 Journey RWD base price, $36,350. As tested, $45,205.
Roof rails, $250; Technology Package, $2,700; Deluxe Touring Package, $2,300; Illuminated kick plates, $280; Premium Package, $2,450; Destination, $875.