Infiniti FX50 test drive: the price of premium

When in 2003 the company Nissan released its new all-wheel-drive five-seat crossover Infiniti FX, only a couple of years passed — and it literally exploded the Russian market for used premium crossovers. We nicknamed this car the "Shoe" for its characteristic body silhouette, which indeed resembles footwear. Such an unusual design immediately found many fans. The model's history itself began back in 2001, when the first prototype saw the light. The second concept, which appeared a year later, was already almost exactly like the production version shown to the world in Detroit in January 2003. The first generation Infiniti FX was based on the shared FM platform, the same one that underpinned the Infiniti G35 and Nissan Skyline.

The body is now 1.6 times stiffer in torsion than its predecessor, but the car has become 90 kilograms lighter.

The public was won over by the aggressive appearance: narrow predatory headlights, a huge radiator grille, 20-inch wheels, a swift profile, and squinted rear lights. And the sound of the exhaust system — simply a song! It was precisely the bright, unlike-anything-else appearance, which even after five years does not look outdated, that became the FX's main trump card in the fight against competitors. Along with excellent engines, solid interior trim, and generous equipment, the crossover became one of the class favorites even before the brand officially arrived in Russia — at that time, "gray" dealers vied to bring stylish cars from North America to us.

The new model is still based on the Nissan FM platform, so the engine remains within the wheelbase. Hence the almost ideal weight distribution for a crossover — 54% on the front axle and 46% on the rear.

In August 2008, as part of the Moscow International Automobile Salon, the premiere of the new "Shoe" took place for Russian buyers. The model had been on the market for five years, and it needed an update, which Nissan engineers ultimately prepared. True, calling this a new generation can only be done with a stretch — in fact, the Infiniti FX received a deep facelift. In Russia, the car is offered in two versions: the FX35 with 307 hp and the flagship FX50, which we will tell you more about — it was this one that we had for a test drive.

On the outside, the new Infiniti FX50 began to look more solid. The modified front bumper, radiator grille in the spirit of the big guy QX56, more sculpted hood, and new front fenders noticeably transformed the car, although it is still unmistakably recognizable. A controversial point seemed to me the front optics — they have moved too far to the sides, which makes the "face" of the "Shoe" look slightly silly. From the side, attention is drawn to the wheels, which have grown to 21 inches, as well as the turn signal repeaters and chrome gills on the front fenders. The latter not only decorate — they also improve aerodynamics. At the rear — a slightly different bumper and lights of a different shape. In general, the exterior has lost some of its sporty zest but gained more premium feel. The new FX is now perceived completely differently, which will surely attract new buyers. But will old ones turn away from it?

The 5.0-liter V8 with 400 hp accelerates the two-ton SUV to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. German classmates should be on alert.

Inside — as befits Infiniti, everything is like in an expensive office: high-quality white leather, soft plastic, and wood inserts pleasing to the eye. The front seats are excellently profiled, with heating and ventilation, so a driver of any build can get comfortable. The steering column can now be adjusted separately from the instrument panel. The central console has been brought to the common look of the entire model range: the familiar climate control unit, the proprietary navigation display, and a round controller with a bunch of keys around it. Analog clocks in the style of Bentley have moved to the center of the Bose audio system, whose 11 speakers sound simply great. For rear passengers — a pleasant bonus: a folding ceiling screen and a DVD player.

In the cabin, as befits the Infiniti brand, it is like in an expensive office – high-quality white leather, soft plastic, and wood inserts pleasing to the eye. Excellently profiled front seats with heating and ventilation will help a driver of any build find a comfortable position.

In the back — comfort and coziness. A comfortable, well-profiled sofa, and there is noticeably more legroom, so passengers can fully enjoy the ride. But the absence of such little things as rear seat heating and its own climate control unit surprised me, to put it mildly. All Infiniti "classmates" have had this for a long time. I also did not find an electric tailgate drive — it is even available on the "younger brother" EX35, not to mention class competitors.

The base Infiniti FX50 is equipped with lightweight 21-inch wheels from the Japanese company Enkei. Already in the standard there is a tire pressure monitoring system. The brake mechanisms were also refined - now they do not suffer from overheating, which the previous generation FX was guilty of.

I especially want to note the camera system around the body. With it, parking becomes a mere trifle. The image from cameras hidden in the rearview mirrors can be displayed on the screen in two modes: during parallel parking at the curb, the right lower part is visible on the screen, and when parking between cars, you can turn on the top view. The only drawback is that in bad weather, the cameras quickly get dirty and become completely useless.

The body of the Infiniti FX50 is now covered with paint with a special varnish that self-heals minor scratches.

Infiniti FX50 has acquired a new engine VK50VE, which uses the proprietary VVEL technology in combination with variable valve timing — together they regulate how high the valves lift. This 5.0-liter unit produces 400 hp and 500 Nm of torque, while fuel consumption remains almost at the level of the previous 340-horsepower FX45 version — about 20 liters per 100 km. From standstill to 100 km/h, the car accelerates in 5.8 seconds. The new seven-speed automatic transmission pleases with the speed and smoothness of gear changes, and when shifting down, it can do a rev-match.

The image from video cameras placed in the front, rear, and side mirrors turns parking into an elementary task. The image from the mirror cameras can be displayed on the screen in two variants: during parallel parking near the curb, the lower right corner is shown, and when parking between cars, a top view is available.

The character of the FX on asphalt has become noticeably more premium. The responses to steering wheel turns, which were previously sharp and almost sporty, now seem more relaxed. Infiniti FX50 on 21-inch wheels still reacts sharply to any bumps and joints, and it is better to drive over speed bumps very slowly — otherwise, rear passengers may fly out of their seat belts. The best word to describe the new handling of the Infiniti FX is "smoothness." Otherwise, the "Shoe" still almost perfectly handles high-speed arcs, confidently holds the straight line, and clearly obeys the steering wheel. The 400-horsepower engine is ready to sharply accelerate the car from any RPM and at any speed. The sound insulation has been worked on excellently: inside the FX it is now quiet in any mode. But where did that formidable roar of the exhaust system during acceleration, which was on the previous FX45, go? Now in the cabin, only the calm "singing" of the eight cylinders is audible.

The loss of sharpness is the best characteristic of the new Infiniti FX's handling. Otherwise, the "Shoe" still almost perfectly "writes" a high-speed arc, holds the straight line well, and clearly follows all the driver's instructions.

The updated FX has a more powerful engine, an excellent surround-view camera system, a luxurious interior, and even active rear-wheel steering (in the "Sport" version). But the former excitement, the constant call to drive, the formidable voice of the exhaust, and the sharpness of reactions have given way to smoother, more premium features, comfort, and calmness. This has undoubtedly raised the status of the new Infiniti FX among Luxury crossovers. However, the former individuality and zest have disappeared. Nevertheless, with the start of the official expansion of Infiniti into the Russian market, the FX crossover has become the most advantageous offer in terms of price in its class. BMW and Mercedes-Benz with similar equipment and characteristics, as well as the top Volkswagen Touareg, are noticeably more expensive, which makes the crossover from Infiniti one of the leaders in the segment.

As befits a premium car, the new Infiniti FX is equipped with a keyless access system and an engine start button. The trunk with a volume of 376 liters does not shine with capacity, and there is no electric drive for the rear door at all. There is plenty of space and comfort on the rear sofa, but rear passengers are deprived of their own climate control and seat heating control unit.

Official dealers in Russia sell the Infiniti FX35 in the base Elegance version for 1,952,000 rubles. The Premium trim, which includes a DVD entertainment system, active cruise control, and 21-inch wheels, costs 2,045,000 rubles. Navigation adds another 66,000 rubles to the price. The FX50, which was tested in the Premium trim, is priced at 2,394,100 rubles, and the Sport version with the active rear-wheel steering system, adaptive suspension with Sport mode, and extended driver's seat settings is 82,000 rubles more expensive.

What can I say, the exterior has lost some sportiness but gained more premium feel. Now the new FX is perceived a bit differently, which will certainly create a new layer of buyers, but will the old ones remain?

Ruslan Galimov