2011 INFINITI FX50 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Daring styling and seriously brisk performance make the 2011 Infiniti FX50 a unique alternative for well-heeled drivers who want to set themselves apart from the crowd. Though the second-generation FX hasn't found widespread marketplace acceptance, the 2011 FX50 delivers driving dynamics that are near the top of its class. Add in a luxurious, technology-packed interior, and the 2011 FX50 becomes a serious contender in an admittedly thin market that also sees the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG and Porsche Cayenne competing for a slice of the pie.
The first thing most people will notice about the 2011 FX50 is its unconventional front-end styling. While the 2011 FX50's side profile retains the familiar contours of the successful first-generation model, the exaggerated and bulbous nose is a bit of a turn-off. But Infiniti should be commended for taking a risk and making a vehicle that looks different, especially given that the FX50's bloated hood makes room for a rip-snorting V8 engine.
Offering a significant power increase over the six-cylinder FX trim, the 2011 FX50 features an all-aluminum 5.0-liter V8 that makes 390 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Hammer the throttle from a standstill and the FX50 will sprint to 60 mph in well under 6 seconds, emitting a muted snarl from the engine room. While the six-cylinder FX can feel coarse and taxed at times, the FX50's smooth, torquey motor and standard AWD provide rapid, seamless acceleration upon demand.
Infiniti's modern seven-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties in the 2011 FX50. With a wide ratio spread and intelligent logic control, the gearbox delivers quick, seamless shifts. Though it would be too much to wish for a stick, the FX50's manual shift mode and downshift rev-matching make for a somewhat involving experience.
Every 2011 FX50 features so-called Intelligent all-wheel-drive that constantly monitors road conditions and adjusts the power distribution accordingly. The excellent grip afforded by this system is a boon in enthusiastic driving, though the performance-biased summer tires mean that the FX50's winter traction isn't as abundant as one might expect.
While on the subject of handling, it's important to note that the 2011 FX50 corners with far more agility than most traditional SUVs. Its (relatively) low center of gravity and wide stance, combined with the grippy tires, contribute to the FX50's surefooted feel on dry roads. Body motions are well controlled, courtesy of a double wishbone front suspension and firm shocks. The trade-off for this frisky handling is a harsh highway ride, and the FX50 deals with expansion joints and potholes rather poorly. Braking performance is excellent, no surprise given the 2011 FX50's large, multi-piston disc brakes.
Though the 2011 FX50's exterior styling might be called polarizing, the sumptuous interior is capable of pleasing even the most demanding buyer. With its (mostly) intelligent design and top-notch materials, the FX50's cabin is a pleasant place to whittle away the miles. Nearly every feature in Infiniti's arsenal is standard in the 2011 FX50, including a rather baroque quilted leather treatment for the heated power seats. Also included are GPS navigation, a rear-view camera and a Bose stereo that offers a hard drive for music storage. Elbow room is good, especially given the FX50's wide track, but rear seat head room is compromised by the swooping roof line.
Standard safety features abound in the 2011 FX50. Front, side and curtain airbags are complemented by active head restraints that Infiniti says help reduce whiplash. High technology safety options include a forward collision warning system and an intelligent braking assist feature that can slow the car without driver intervention.
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2011 INFINITI FX50 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: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · 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: 14.0 · Front brake width: 1.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.8 · Rear brake width: 0.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front · Interior accents: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: dual level · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: side mirrors · 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: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: cargo net · 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: 3.54
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · 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: 8 in. · Video monitor location: dual rear · Video system: auxiliary audio/video input
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: blacked out · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close · Roof rack: with crossbars · Roof rack color: aluminum · Roof rails: black
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: 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: aluminum alloy
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · 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): front
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Diameter: 21 · Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: aluminum
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class II · Trailer wiring: 4-pin
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5 · Width: 9.5
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent