20 May 2008
So we got a 2009 Infiniti EX35
I’m just guessing, but this is probably the first Middle East report you’ll see of the 2009 Infiniti EX35, considering all the rags seem busy with the G37 Coupe. Due to tight scheduling competition with all the magazines, we only managed to snag it for 2 random days, but this also happens to be a very busy week for me, so testing was done hurriedly. We’re going to try to get it again later, assuming my moronic PR guy (who probably won’t read this) doesn’t try to aim for a hard-to-get weekend date to show off this car to his weekend date.
To start off, the EX35 is much smaller in person. We didn’t even notice this during the crowded launch event. It is the first 4WD I’ve driven that isn’t taller than me. Ground clearance is also no more than that of a goofy-tall VW Golf, so off-roading is out of the question.
While most “crossover” types try to look tough, the EX comes across as more of a car. Looking like a tall-hatchback version of the EX, it sacrifices loads of space for loads of style. Rear legroom is easily less than in a Chevy Aveo, while luggage space matches the Tiida hatchback at best.
However, it rocks under the hood, and impresses even more in the twisties. However, even with 297 hp on tap from a 3.5-litre V6, it is definitely not a rocket. While stupid YouTube videos of speedometers will have you believe that Infiniti 4WDs are faster than fighter-jets, in reality the EX, even with the upgraded engine and smaller size, is only good enough to give an automatic Altima V6 a challenge in a drag race. We were happy with the engine anyway, since it proved powerful and torquey in aggressive city driving.
Around corners, we are pretty sure it can outrun “sporty” cars such as the Honda Accord coupe, as good as that one is. The all-wheel-drive EX35 had more traction around our usual roundabout run, and body roll is no more than the smaller Honda, and possibly even less. This also means it can run rings around the Altima coupe.
We occasionally choose random speeders to chase down on twisty public roads to show them who’s boss, no matter what car we are driving. This time, we chased down a loser in a Porsche Cayman S who seemed to try his best to get away from us on a highway off-ramp, so you can be sure this 4WD is capable of outrunning pathetic drivers in expensive cars.
We give top marks for a high-quality, super-quiet cabin, cooled by the strongest a/c in the business. However, we didn’t waste time with the electronics, so that’ll have to wait for another day.
We did, of course, play with the amazing parking-camera system. We didn’t believe the system in TV ads, but the system actually does give an all-round undistorted view of the surroundings, as if an overhead satellite is taking the image. It made the car so much easier to park, especially seeing that rearward visibility is otherwise horrible. It is a much better system than the half-baked one in the Lexus LX.
All in all, the EX35 is as hot as it gets in the crossover segment, especially when you realise how relatively boring its competitors look, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLK and the Audi Q5. However, it is better to think of this vehicle as more of a coupe, considering its tight rear-seat arrangement. Also consider that most of these types of “fashion-statement” vehicles usually carry only one person, while noticing that the next hottest thing is the overpriced BMW X6 nut-SAC, and the EX35 starts to make more sense.
by assassin, on May 21 2008 @ 12:03 am
this not good from you mash…
You just tested a car that i hate on my birth day date
by cb, on May 21 2008 @ 8:41 am
still hate its looks…but if it is able to challenge “sports” cars like the honda or altima sedan/coupes then that is very impressive from a v6 SUV.
lol u see loser drivers everywhere. my favorite would be this lambo driver whose face i so wished to see when i stayed right on his tail through the twisty roads leading to fujairah.
happy birthday assassin. hope you get an infiniti ex35 as birthday gift
by assassin, on May 21 2008 @ 12:19 pm
thanks cb.
i think its shape is fine, and it’s a very nice baby crossover.
Mash, I forgot to congratulate you for your parent’s Hajj (HAJJ MABROOR to them)).
I read from Honda Accord catalogue that the V6 got Active Noise Control which makes the car speaker-system does special sound to decrease the engine noise. I can’t understand this clearly
, Could you please tell me more about it….
by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury, on May 21 2008 @ 4:16 pm
Thanks man, although a little late. A late happy birthday from me too.
by thatsit(mohamad), on May 21 2008 @ 4:41 pm
hi everyone….at the end i finished the final exams>>>>thanks god
)
)…and about the X6…from now am telling you mash, just wait for the FX 35…its time from 0-60 in 6.1 sec (from one of the magazines and it beats the X6)…and if you are looking for something evil…go for the FX50 (0-60 in 5-5.2 sec) now am happy that really carlos is trying to catch up with porsche and BMW…as i said before its just about time and the good news are in this link:
about the EX am with you its tight from the back….what about the front seats…are they OK for a tall guy…lets say 1.8 meters.
and what about the arround view monitor: is it ok…do i need to look around when i want to park, or just look at the screen…and about the strength…am with you…many people think that its a girly car…but in fact its faster than many cars(even those who have an 8 cylinder engine) lets say the lexus LX 570 (assassin
and the time from 0-100 is below 6.8 seconds…as you said you can run with the altima v6, aurion or honda accord…it can beat touareg V8 and even the old FX35(am sorry cb for that
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080513.012/infiniti-g37-convertible-announced
by cb, on May 21 2008 @ 5:05 pm
lol i already know the EX is faster than the FX. but what makes me hate it is the shape. it has this girly look
happy to see that the shape hasn’t changed for the 2009 FX.
assassin, the active noise whatever in the honda, i think, uses noise cancelling technology. take a look at bose website for their noise cancelling headphones and how it works. the idea should be the same.
by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury, on May 21 2008 @ 5:59 pm
I didn’t up on it, but I am guessing it is basically what is taught in high-school physics. The Accord speakers will play(?) a sound similar to road/wind noise but with an inverted waveform(?) so they cancel each other out. As much as I dislike wave theory, I can’t say I noticed any amazing quietness in the Accord.
by thatsit(mohamad), on May 22 2008 @ 11:44 am
i hate wave equations
i took it this semester in one course…
by dig, on May 22 2008 @ 3:08 pm
oi beta aurion review kothay?
by Ace, on May 22 2008 @ 7:20 pm
My IS300 has summin similar called the ASL (Active Sound Leveller) It changes the internal volume settings of the system according to the speed of the car. On high revs, the music goes louder, slow down and come to a stop, the volume goes lower. Its so that on high revs you dont hear the engine.
But , Who wouldnt want to hear the roar of a screaming engine !
or meeooow depending on your ride..
by cb, on May 22 2008 @ 11:30 pm
i think most cars nowdays have that feature…i know the infinitis do
by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury, on May 23 2008 @ 1:12 am
The music-volume-going-up-with-speed is a completely different feature, and around since the early 90s. We are talking about Honda’s noise cancellation feature, which worked well in the Legend, but seems the Accord got a simpler version. Anyway, I just confirmed an Accord for next week, so I’ll try the car properly this time.
by Bandar AF, on May 24 2008 @ 9:05 pm
man i luv the fx and ex.. They are amazing..
btw, how much does the EX35 costs ?? as i might get it.
by cb, on May 24 2008 @ 11:04 pm
^^look at the new car buying car link in this website.
http://www.drivearabia.com/infiniti/