2008 Infiniti EX35

Stylish, fun-to-drive Infiniti EX35 comes up a bit short

PETER BLEAKNEY FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Infiniti’s EX35 combines a luxurious comfy interior with oodles of high-tech gizmos — and very little cargo space.

Peter Bleakney

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

You'd have to be living under a large slab of granite not to notice the recent proliferation of mid-size crossover utility vehicles.

For the most part, I see the appeal.

For those who want an SUV without the eco-guilt, crossovers offer a somewhat rugged persona (and usually AWD) without the stigma of conspicuous consumption.

Then there are the family types who just can't do the minivan, so they opt for these more stylish (and less functional) critters.

And let's not forget the appeal of "car-like handling."

Which brings us to the 2008 Infiniti EX35. With a base price of $40,400, this luxurious 297 hp V6-powered five-seat CUV is gunning for the BMW X3, Land Rover LR2 and Acura RDX. While those competitors at least give the old college try when it comes to hauling capacity, this sleek new interloper will have none of that – it makes room for just four people and their overnight bags. That's not to say the EX35 isn't a fine vehicle. After a week behind the wheel of my fully loaded Journey tester ($50,650), I was thoroughly enjoying the finely crafted interior, strong V6 engine and its dynamic poise.

But is this fastback/hatchback/SUV thingy the best or worst of both worlds? In a nutshell, it's a jacked-up, hatchback version of the G35x sport sedan. The wheelbase has been shortened 5 cm, ride height is increased by 3 cm, and its more macho yet similarly sculpted body is "trunk-ated" by 12 cm. Overall height increases by 12 cm.

There's no question it's a sexy looking thing, especially when shod with the optional 18-inch footwear.

The EX35 is motivated by the Nissan's ubiquitous all-aluminum 3.5 L VQ-series DOHC V6. Here it makes 297 hp @ 6,800 rpm and 253 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,800 rpm, and pushes through a five-speed manu-matic to Nissan's all-wheel-drive setup.

The EX35 is rear drive biased – the active electromagnetic centre clutch sends torque up front under acceleration and when traction issues arise. A rocker switch just aft of the console shifter calls up snow mode, which puts the system into an initial 50/50 torque split and reduces throttle sensitivity.

The best seat in the house is the driver's chair. Look around the cabin and your senses delight in the design, first-class materials and exquisite workmanship. At night, the white and violet illumination is high art, indeed.

Along with the expected mod cons, the $3,100 Premium Package adds 18-inch wheels, bi-xenon auto-levelling headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, driver's seat memory, rear a/c vent, a stellar premium Bose audio system with 11-speakers and subwoofer, six-disc in-dash CD, eight-way power passenger seat and power tilt/telescoping steering wheel. The $3,700 custom leather package is all this, plus custom leather.

Cough up another $3,250 for navigation with voice recognition, a 9.3-gig hard drive for MP3 storage, compact flash drive slot and rear-view monitor.

Things get interesting with the $1,700 tech package. Using four wide-angle cameras and some clever software, the Around View Monitor gives a bird's-eye view of the EX35 and its surroundings.

The Lane Departure Warning System offers a polite beep when you've strayed from your lane without signalling, while the Lane Departure Prevention System takes this Orwellian technology one step further. It activates the stability control to gently nudge the vehicle back in line.

Electro-aides aside, the EX35 feels every bit the sports sedan – albeit one on its tippytoes. Like the G35x sedan it's based on, this crossover shows good body control and direct, unaffected steering. Brakes are strong and progressive, and the ride is compliant and refined.

Yes, there is a bit of pitching on rough surfaces, and the high centre of gravity makes itself known if you get too frisky in the corners, but until then, the EX35 is a very well sorted ride.

It's in the second row where things aren't so rosy. Legroom is at a premium – you wouldn't put three people you like back there – and the footwells are cramped.

Exacerbating the situation is the auto-retracting driver's seat. Until the car starts, it's in the rearmost position. This means anybody long-of-leg can't squeeze in until madame operateur has fired the EX35 up. And woe to those who don't leap clear of said eight-way driver's chair as it glides back when you've arrived.

With the power-folding rear seats down, there's a reasonably flat and functional load space, but with the seats in place, only 476 litres of storage is available – about half that of a BMW X3.

I'm guessing the demographic for this slick and fun-to-drive CUV is the style-conscious kidless urbanite, because anyone with domestic considerations will find the EX35 somewhat frustrating.

Freelance auto reviewer Peter Bleakney can be reached at pebleakney@sympatico.ca

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