2011 INFINITI FX35 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Edgy styling and (mostly) sprightly performance help make the 2011 Infiniti FX35 a credible alternative to more expensive European sport crossovers. Though a Porsche Cayenne will impress status-seeking neighbors and enthusiast drivers alike, its absurdly high price makes ownership a privilege reserved for the very few. Enter the 2011 FX35, a sporty luxury SUV with a boutique feel and a Wal-Mart price.
The 2011 Infiniti FX35's defining characteristic is undoubtedly its pudgy, avant-garde styling. Amplifying the image introduced with the original FX, the second-generation model's squat profile and pug-nosed grille is sure to elicit responses, both positive and negative, from passersby. Though the look is far more adventurous than the ubiquitous Lexus RX or the sharp but boring Acura MDX, the 2011 FX suffers from an overall lack of design cohesion, as well as a cargo-space deficit.
Based on the same underpinnings as the company's G series sedan and coupe, the Infiniti FX35 mostly lives up to its billing as the sportiest of crossovers. While the ride is rather harsh and unforgiving, especially with the optional 20-inch wheels, the 2011 FX35 corners with much more poise than the average SUV. A double-wishbone front suspension and lively, speed-sensitive power steering promote enthusiastic driving, though the FX35's considerable bulk hinders quickness in cornering transitions and contributes to body roll.
Power for the 2011 FX35 comes from Infiniti's punchy 3.5-liter V6. With 303 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque on tap, the all-aluminum V6 hustles the two-ton FX35 from 0-60 in an impressive 6.1 seconds. While the engine isn't as refined as the velvety-smooth mills from Acura and Lexus, its throaty exhaust note and free-revving nature are consistent with the FX's positioning as the drivers SUV. Fuel economy isn't exactly a strong suit, with the FX35 returning only 16 mpg in the city.
For 2011 Infiniti offers the FX35 in both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive trim. Both versions receive the company's excellent seven-speed automatic gearbox. The quick-thinking transmission serves up smooth, timely shifts and features well-matched ratios. All-wheel-drive FX35s feature Infiniti's intelligent AWD system with a snow mode that aims to improve traction in wintry conditions. While Infiniti doesn't recommend hauling trailers with front-drive FXs, the FX35 AWD is rated up to a nominal 2,000-pound towing capacity.
Intimate and cocoon-like, the 2011 FX35's cabin will impress drivers and passengers with its luxury and technology, if not with its spaciousness. Though the sloping roof and high beltline limit both visibility and cargo volume, the cozy space reinforces the FX35's performance image. The high dash is rendered in high-quality soft-touch plastic and wood, and all controls are easily within reach. While the ergonomics and control relationship are good, due in no small part to the fully adjustable steering wheel, the menu-driven central display and radio system isn't particularly intuitive.
In keeping with Infiniti tradition, the interior is decorated with a small analog clock. Seats are firmly bolstered, supportive and upholstered in soft leather, with quilted hides available as an option. Standard push-button keyless start is a nice touch, as is the included rear-view camera system. All 2011 FX35s get an excellent Bose stereo system with 300 watts of power and a hard drive for digital music storage. The FX35 can also count xenon lights, a power liftgate and dual-zone automatic climate control among its standard features. Navigation, adaptive cruise control and a technology package that includes rain-sensing wipers are available as options.
Infiniti offers a host of innovative new safety features in the 2011 FX35. In addition to the usual front, side and curtain airbags, the FX35 features front seat active head restraints and electronic brakeforce distribution. Optional Integrated Brake Assist pairs with a Forward Collision Warning system to prevent rear-end accidents by slowing the FX35 automatically if it's closing too fast on a stopped vehicle. The 2011 Infiniti FX35 hasn't been tested by the NHTSA for crash-worthiness.
Considering the FX35's handling prowess and strong value quotient, it's a surprise that Infiniti moves only a few thousand copies each year. Given that the concept works (the first-generation FX was a strong seller), the 2011 FX35's attention-getting yet polarizing styling clearly isn't doing it any favors. While some might find it nice to have something that looks unlike anything on the road, the majority of the car-buying public is apparently willing to accept only a certain degree of quirkiness in their sporty crossovers.
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2011 INFINITI FX35 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Hard Drive: 9.3GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 300 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brake width: 1.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.1 · Rear brake width: 0.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat and steering wheel · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.36
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: accent color · Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in. · Video monitor location: dual rear · Video system: auxiliary audio/video input
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close · Roof rack: with crossbars
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: front and rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Hard Drive: 2GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · XM with NavTraffic satellite radio · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 300 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brake width: 1.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.1 · Rear brake width: 0.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat and steering wheel · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: storage organizer · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 3.69
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: accent color · Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in. · Video monitor location: dual rear · Video system: auxiliary audio/video input
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade · Roof rack: with crossbars
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: front and rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: painted aluminum
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class II · Trailer wiring: 4-pin
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
