2009 Infiniti EX35
by Jim Prueter -12/2009

Small vehicle, premium price

Infiniti’s EX35 is back for the 2009 model year, with very few changes for its second model-year. While similar in concept to the Rogue (it’s a smaller version of a larger SUV in the lineup), the EX35 is not the Infiniti version of its Nissan counterpart; it has a different chassis platform, engine, transmission and hardware.

Rather, the small premium luxury crossover’s closest relative in Nissan’s upscale line is the Infiniti G37 Coupe. Appearance-wise, the EX35 has a “Honey, they shrunk the FX” look; it’s seven inches shorter, five inches narrower and weighs 360 pounds less.

Unlike the FX, there’s no V-8 available in the EX35. But the 297 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6, which is similar to the engine that powers the Nissan’s 350Z sports car, is one honey of a powerplant. Acceleration is explosive, passing a breeze and merging onto the interstate never a white-knuckled experience. What a delight.

But you’ll pay at the pump for all the performance, first with fuel economy in all-wheel drive models rated at just 16 miles per gallon in the city and 23 on the highway, and again when refueling with the requisite 91-octane premium fuel. Infiniti says it’s ok to use regular unleaded, but performance will suffer.

The lively V-6 is mated to a cantankerous five-speed automatic transmission that hesitates to downshift under full acceleration. It’s very annoying and, unless germane only to my individual test vehicle, enough to be a deal breaker for me. Otherwise, the EX35 is a highly satisfying vehicle to drive and handles beautifully. Brakes are exceptional.

EX35 is in either a base ($33,880) or Journey ($36,250) trim level. It’s the only vehicle in its segment with a choice of rear or all-wheel drive available on either trim($1400). For 2009, we drove the AWD Journey.

The EX35 exterior has the look of a coupe, with a long hood, short front and rear overhangs and wheels pushed to the corners with extremely tight wheel openings.

At first glance, it appears to be a five-door hatchback version of the G35 sedan, but the sheet metal is significantly different. The hood break extends all the way to the Samurai-blade grille with angular headlamps that extend all the way over to the hood opening. Fog lamps are integrated into the front fascia.

Three-dimensional taillamps are similar to those on the FX; there’s an integrated rear spoiler just above the stationary window on the one-piece rear liftgate and dual chrome exhaust tips lend a serious power look to the finish. It’s an overall great looking vehicle, something we’ve come to expect from Infiniti.

My test-car was finished in Infiniti’s “Scratch Shield” Liquid Platinum exterior paint, which self-heals small scratches like those found under the door handles from rings, jewelry or fingernails, and swirl marks from car wash brushes. The hotter it is, the quicker it works; a special elastic property in the finish can make scratches disappear in as little as one to as long as seven days. I tested a coin-sized mark near the headlamp; in less than a day in the Arizona sun, the mark disappeared. It won’t work on dents or deep scratches that expose the vehicle’s primer.

Inside, the cabin is striking. My test-car featured graphite-colored leather seating with comfortable buckets and plenty of legroom up front. But the rear is beyond cramped and adults who rode back there did so with complaints about lack of head, leg and shoulder room.

The instrument panel is gorgeous and, like the G35, is lit with an easy-on-the-eyes white-and-violet glow. Of course the signature Infiniti analog clock is displayed jewelry-like mid center console. Just above the clock is the optional seven-inch navigation screen that also serves as the screen for the standard backup camera, which is the best I’ve ever used. It displays two sets of parking space lines on the screen. One in red tells you where straight back is and what you could hit, the other in green and yellow angles left or right with the movement of the steering wheel to show you precisely where you are headed.

The system also features an Around View Monitor Package at no additional charge when combined with the Bose & Navigation Package ($2000). The system utilizes four small front, side and rear cameras to give the driver a top down view of the outside of the vehicle when parking.

The center console was finished with black lacquer and brushed aluminum trim. Maple wood trim is optional. The overall look is luxurious with premium materials and excellent fit and finish.

Standard equipment includes automatic climate control, AM/FM/CD stereo with input jack and XM satellite radio, as well as power seats, windows, mirrors, locks and brakes. Push-button start, cruise control, fog lights and alloy wheels are all standard.

Standard safety features include stability and traction control, front, side and roof-mounted curtain airbags, active head restraints.

A wide array of options is available, most in package form. There’s also no shortage of new technology features, which come in a $2250 option package, and which we found to be more annoying than helpful. One example is the lane departure warning system (LDW) that beeps if it senses you are drifting out of your traffic lane, or if you make a lane change without signaling. We found it to be overly sensitive and irritating. Theoretically, you can turn the system off, but we never quite figured out how to do so. The lane departure prevention (LDP) system steps it up a notch, applying the brakes to direct you back into your lane if you wander.

Also part of the package are Intelligent Cruise Control, Distance Control Assist, and Intelligent Brake Assist with Forward Collision Warning. Nice options all, but we couldn’t tell if or when they were engaged. Maybe our driving skills were simply beyond reproach with regard to the systems, but we doubt it.

Overall, the new EX35 seems to be answering a question few are asking. It could be the perfect vehicle for those who gave up their large SUVs due to the gas crunch, and don’t want to drive a sedan.

It’s really too small to afford much utility but does sit four inches higher than a sedan. Infiniti says that female consumers like crossover utility vehicles but not the larger, truck-based models. The EX35 will fill a niche that women are looking for — more style and sport than utility, but with a fairly steep price tag.