Loooooook. Loook at the new FX! According to the PR people (who invented the Dark Side), Infiniti FX buyers are what they call “progressive independents:” consumers who like trendy styles and show a rebellious “hint of the dark side” in their personalities. Yeah, yeah. While the suits blow were busy blowing smoke up their own Powerpoint presentation, WardsAuto.com reports that Nissan's engineers tackled everything we didn't like about the old model— and more. Hard ride? Gone; [allegedly] banished by a more "refined" four-wheel independent suspension with front double-wishbone and rear multi-link. Sneaker styling? Toast; [supposedly] macho-ed by with a lowered, stretched platform with more forward front wheels, a longer hood and shorter overhangs. More complex toys that can break? Got 'em; especially a lane departure warning system. Some kind of compelling reason not to buy the smaller but almost equally-horsed variant? Done; FX50 gets 21" wheels, a 5.0-liter V8 and all-wheel drive; the FX35 "makes do" with a 3.5-liter V6 with optional AWD. As for that dark side thing, the FX is this writer's first choice for SUV/CUV on-road hoonery. I look forward to putting the FX50 through its paces come June. The force is strong with this one.
And I can’t wait to read the review of the FX50 getting flogged…not to mention eventually flogging it myself.
consumers who like trendy styles and show a rebellious “hint of the dark side” in their personalities.
In my wealthy neighborhood, that means people (mostly soccer mums) who want to look a lil’ more badass than the ones with the Lexus or Acura SUVs.
I must confess I really liked the looks of the 1st gen FX, even though the concept of a sports SUV still sounds as ridiculous as ever.
Progressive independent checking in (2005 FX35).
This thing looks like a weird caricature of the old model. I don’t find it appealing or edgy. It’s hokey. The only thing I like about it is the wheels.
I will definitely NOT be looking at this to replace my current vehicle.
I liked the old FX. I’m on the fence on this one. The side reminds me a lot of a Saturn Vue (the new one). The front end…I’m trying to figure out of the gapping maw on the front reminds me of a Hyundai or something else entirely.
At least it should be fun to drive.
for god’s sake people, how do you spell grotesque? This thing may drive like a 911 on stilts but jeez it’s UGLEEEE; makes the X6 look like halle berry.
I still think the previous FX exterior design is more Porsche like than the Cayanne. It’s the nice, swooping curves that say that to me.
Can you get these things without that retarded exhaust sound though? Sorry, I don’t find that desirable (or on G35/G37’s either). It sounds ridiculous to me.
Also, how the hell is this Infiniti design more macho as compared to the opposite direction Audi took the TT to make it less feminine?
I enjoy the view from the driver’s seat of our 2007 FX. The hood bulge and rounded fender tops evoke the view over the bonnet of a Jaguar E-Type!
Infiniti sweated the details. I am still discovering thoughtful, unheralded touches.
Simply no interest in these ugly crossovers. Including that new BMW.
FX50 gets 21″ wheels, a 5.0-liter V8
Just what the world needed.
FX50 gets 21″ wheels, a 5.0-liter V8
Just what the world needed.
Amen
UGLY.
no thanks…
I agree – the old one looked better. I thought the old one was one of those rare cars that looked like a mild concept actually making it into production (Isuzu Axiom and Vehicross) but actually looking refined enough to succeed. I was happy for Infiniti when it actually sold well considering the fact that more radical concepts that actually work usually don’t. Its aggressive shape was smoothed out by Infiniti’s new design direction at the time. I’d buy one if I weren’t 23 and poor.
This update makes the already big front snout bigger. The headlights straight from the 7-series (which look good there, in my opinion) only give the FX the eyes of a Dodge or Pontiac sedan (“Attitude, man!”). That grill is weird too – too high up above that bumper line, but too big as well. The new front ruins the sharp, airy swoops of Nissan’s late designs with some generic curves. As a whole, it’s a bunch of parts that don’t work together as a whole – which is what plagues Korean and lamer Japanese design. To think Nissan was on a roll!
I’ve always liked the look of the Infiniti FX but have never driven one. Way outside of my price range, unfortunately.
It cannot to be a better time to arrive wth $4.00 gallon.
Perhaps Nissan needs to borrow Chryslerbus’ gas @ $2.99 gimmick.
Or does the 5.0 ltre uses less gas than a Geo Metro.
Probably it does if u do the weight ratio, except the FX could tip the scale at 3500 lbs. Wsh t was 1499 lbs.
This is my most hated car for 2009. It’s grotesque and literally covered in styling sores. I really hate it!
I really disliked the styling on the FX35. This new one is no better.
There’s [a | yet another] new market segment taking shape out there.
Most strongly defined by the BMW X6, I’d say it now includes this FX50 and the Cayenne GTS.
Thoughts?