To bring you this comprehensive survey of the 2009 Infiniti EX35, experts at TheCarConnection.com have looked high and low for the most useful information in published reviews. Driving opinions from TheCarConnection.com editors are also included here so that you have the most information for your next car purchase.
Likes
Coupe-like silhouette
The handling of a sport sedan
Front-seat comfort
Top-quality interior
Self-healing paint
Dislikes
No manual gearbox
Cramped backseat
Tech options are very pricey
The 2009 Infiniti EX35 shares a lot with Infiniti's G37 sport sedan and coupe, along with the outgoing Nissan 350Z sportscar, so it's no surprise that the EX35 is a solid performer.
On the outside, the EX has the looks to match that performance, including styling cues clearly borrowed and refined from the larger FX performance crossover. Oversized wheel wells and flared fenders in back, combined with the arching, aggressive roofline, give it the same cartoonish yet serious look that dominates in the FX. The interior of the 2009 Infiniti EX35 is handsome and sophisticated, with a techno-modern feel that's absent from similar vehicles from Lexus, for example. The EX has a cockpit-style layout, with a wide center stack that wraps down into a console, so the front seating is a bit narrow but comfortable for most. The instrument panel is downright classy, with tasteful wood and matte finishes and none of the chrome overdose that plagues some luxury vehicles.
Power in the 2009 Infiniti EX35 comes from the G35's smooth-revving 297-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and a five-speed automatic. The little crossover's suspension is buttoned down, making you feel as if you're piloting a sporty sedan instead of an SUV, and road feel actually carries through the steering--a pleasant rarity in this class of vehicle.
The genesis for the EX35 comes from a notion that traditional SUVs and crossovers are still too big for some buyers, so Infiniti keeps the size of the EX on the tidy side. As a matter of fact, its wheelbase and key interior dimensions are smaller than those of the G35 sedan, which means there's not an excess of room in the backseat--though front-seat passengers will feel coddled.
Infiniti offers an extensive set of airbags, along with stability and traction control and anti-lock brakes. The 2009 EX35 also has a host of safety-related options that may warrant more of your attention: Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, and Around View Monitoring.
The Bottom Line: The 2009 Infiniti EX35 is an attractive choice for driving enthusiasts seeking a more moderately sized crossover.
Other Choices
If you're interested in the 2009 Infiniti EX35, also consider:
- Acura RDX
- Audi Q5
- BMW X3
- Lexus RX 350
- Mercedes-Benz GLK
Reason Why:
The EX35 is much more compact and streamlined than most other utility vehicles, and it appeals to those who want a taller sport wagon, or to SUV buyers who want something a little lower and nimbler. As with the larger FX35, the EX35's interior is better than most in its class. The GLK and Q5 are all-new entries in this class for 2009; while the Mercedes GLK offers some measure of off-road ability, the Q5 is geared more for on-road performance. The BMW X3, the original premium compact SUV in this class, retains more ruggedness than the EX and is less exciting to drive than the EX or BMW's cars. The Acura RDX is one of TheCarConnection.com's favorite vehicles in this class to drive, though its ride is very firm and its turbocharged engine isn't to everyone's liking. The Lexus RX 350 is a larger and more comfortable option, though it's not nearly as much fun to drive.
Buying Tip
If you hold your horses until 2010, you'll get even more. An upgraded EX37 has already been introduced in Europe and is on the way to the U.S. soon.
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Review was originally published at TheCarConnection.com
© 2009 TheCarConnection.com