 Before us is a specimen of harmony without a single false note. The body has soft, flowing lines, and the interior is kept in the same calm key — no aggression, only smoothness and tranquility. In style, the car echoes the G35x, and it seems that if a station wagon were made on the basis of the sedan, it would turn out exactly like the EX35. The interior is dominated by an aristocratic atmosphere, sustained in the spirit of the English school: the front panel with rounded shapes, a soothing color scheme. The materials are selected with taste — where there is no natural leather, there is high-quality elastic plastic that very convincingly imitates it. The instrument panel, of course, is now inseparable from the steering wheel, and you won't find paddle shifters for the "automatic" here either. It seems there's no place for sport here? |
 In the center of the console, oval clocks adorn — a signature touch of Infiniti models. It's funny that the main competitor Lexus stubbornly puts clocks in its cars that look like cheap "electronics." Taste is a delicate matter. The space inside, frankly, is not impressive. The cabin feels compact. The photographer and I are both about 190 cm tall, and when we sat side by side in the front, freedom noticeably diminished. And in the back row in such a situation, only short women or children would fit comfortably. There wasn't enough room for legs or head. The trunk is also modest, but it can automatically fold and, importantly, return the seatbacks to their original position in a 60/40 ratio. In short, the focus is clearly on women? |
 The EX35 is built on the same FM (Front Midship) platform as its family siblings. The power unit is shifted behind the front axle, into the base, which gives a weight distribution close to ideal. The engine is our old acquaintance, which works on several models of the brand at once. In the version for the EX, it develops a little over three hundred horsepower. And it is helped by a time-tested five-speed "automatic." All-wheel drive here has a clear driver-oriented bias: by default, torque goes to the rear wheels, and the front is connected by an electromagnetic clutch on command from the electronics. Therefore, the car's behavior is rear-wheel drive. Americans, as usual, are luckier than everyone: they can order the EX35 with single drive! |
 The seating position is almost like in a passenger car. The seats are soft, the lateral support is purely symbolic. But the steering wheel is just a song: three-spoke, with an excellent profile and comfortable thumb rests. But the effort on it is a bit high — fragile girls will have to sweat. And they are unlikely to reach the effort level during sharp rotation. As soon as you press the gas, the EX35 seems to shed its mask of complacency. Even with all its curtsies toward comfort, this is a car of Infiniti's flesh and blood. And the faster you drive, the more clearly you understand this. |
 The three-and-a-half-liter engine loves high revs. To get everything out of it, you need to take the tachometer needle far beyond five thousand on each gear. It is in this range that the engine not only pulls as it should, easily confirming the claimed "less than seven seconds" to a hundred, but also begins to sound truly dramatic. But gear shifts do not help acceleration — they are smooth and smoothed out. However, the gearbox does not suffer from thoughtfulness: it willingly downshifts one or two steps, vividly responding to actions with the gas pedal. Although if there were a six-speed "automatic" here, with its denser rows, the rev-happy engine would have an even easier time. The maximum speed, close to the stated one, the EX35 reaches without much effort — thanks to the streamlined body with a drag coefficient of 0.32, which is quite good for such a tall and large car. |
 At speed, the EX behaves confidently and stably. Moreover, it hides speed well — an inexperienced lady can easily get a fine. But an experienced driver won't burn fuel on a straight line. The ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system reveals itself on winding roads. The crossover handles almost like a passenger car. The energy-intensive, tightly assembled suspension confidently holds even broken asphalt and does not shy away from serious potholes. The steering sensitivity is excellent — the wheel adequately fills with heaviness when needed. Body rolls remain within reasonable limits, although, of course, they are felt more strongly than on the G35x. The character of the handling is definitely rear-wheel drive. But the chassis settings stand guard over safety: if you overdo the speed at the entrance to a turn, the front end smoothly slides outward, and the stabilization system immediately intervenes. |
 But there are things that hinder active driving. First of all, the tires. Bridgestone Dueler are designed for all-wheel-drive crossovers, and they can't be called asphalt. The grip properties are clearly insufficient for the EX35. This choice of rubber eloquently says: the target buyer is ready to sacrifice dynamics for comfort and safety. The second drawback is the seats. In civilian modes, everything is fine: you sink into a soft cradle, and it somehow holds you on the sides. But when centrifugal force reaches its limit, you start to fall out of this cradle. And here the compactness of the cabin unexpectedly turns into a plus — you rest against the door trim. |
 Racing the EX35, oddly enough, is not appealing. With all its sporting filling, this car is created for those who value comfort. You can have fun differently. For example, turn on the Around View Monitor function — it displays a picture from four cameras on the multimedia screen and allows you to park filigree. True, in slushy weather you'll have to wipe the cameras with a rag, or return to the classic method. In general, now everything is clear to me about the EX35. We, of course, will not hang the label of a "women's car" on it. Practice has shown: any normal man will be satisfied with this crossover. But if we talk about the Infiniti model range, then for the fair sex, there is simply no better offer than the EX35. That's such an unobtrusive positioning. |
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 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONEngine VQ35HR — the fourth generation of the well-known 3.5-liter Nissan "six," which is also installed on other Infiniti models — M, G, and FX. True, on the EX it is slightly detuned to 302 hp. The engine is equipped with the eCVCTS variable valve timing system and an electronic throttle. The pistons are lightweight, with special-shaped "skirts," coated with molybdenum to reduce friction. New knock sensors and iridium spark plugs are used. The exhaust system is asymmetric, with two equal-length manifolds. |
 TransmissionThe ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive, which is offered optionally for the EX35 (the car can also be rear-wheel drive), is arranged the same as on other Infiniti models. There is no center differential — instead, traction to the front axle is transmitted by a hydromechanical clutch with electronic control, which reacts to rear wheel slip. The maximum that can be transferred forward is 50% of the torque. Paired with ATTESA E-TS, a five-speed "automatic" from Jatco works. |
Branded
It is already accepted that the EX35 is the most feminine car in the Infiniti lineup. This point of view was born mainly due to its exterior – the car looks non-aggressive and slightly feminine. But the policy of the Japanese brand is not associated with comfort – drive and handling are paramount. Is this new mid-size crossover really that feminine?
