By the looks of it, and given its popularity, the 2013 Infiniti EX turns out to be a default product in Nissan’s luxury car lineup, and with good reason.
The 2013 Infiniti EX blends a useful dose of utility along with performance, prestige and luxury, and proves to be a better overall package than the G37, M37 and FX37. Its ability to easily carry gear thanks to it hatch configuration and decent room for four occupants, along with a reasonable price explain why this may be the best all-round V6-powered Infiniti.
Its driving dynamics are surprising. Its 325 hp engine slaps a 100km/h grin on the driver’s face in less than 6-seconds. And listening to the V6 growl and witnessing the transmission’s efficiency further adds to the grin. All the while, the cosseting interior entertains and comforts. I like this little crossover.
Time can be cruel
And, although it hasn’t been too cruel to the 2013 Infiniti EX, it only looks older because most of its siblings are recent or all-new. The EX is still handsome, but the new 2014 Infiniti Q50 sets the stage for what the next EX face -- or, as it will be known, QX50 -- will be like. In other words, it’ll be hot.
Currently, the 2013 Infiniti EX is mostly eye-catching because of its diminutive size. By comparison, Miranda’s 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe tester on the same week was positively huge. Stature is one thing, and although the EX may come up short in this department, the content that lies within is quite big, with a few exceptions.
Tight cabin; cockpit personality
The 2013 Infiniti EX is an ideal two-passenger, all-weather cruiser, however, unlike the Acura ZDX should the front occupants want to bring a few friends along, they will not be punished. By the same token, the trunk does not suffer, either.
Fit, finish and materials are what set the EX at or near the top step of the compact luxury crossover segment. The dashboard, in relation to the seats, creates a cockpit-like cocoon that may be claustrophobic for some, but that I find involving and very hands-on.
The 2013 Infiniti EX’s centre stack is positioned in such a way that the elbow need only rotate a few degrees for the fingers to work through the HVAC controls. Same goes for the audio buttons, however, the controls sitting nearly horizontal at the base of the screen require a little more effort to master. However, it’s all very high-end, so wellworth it.
The front seats are good, far better designed than most other Nissan perches, and the rear bench is well adjusted for two. The exceptions are, at over $53k as tested, the lack of a heated steering wheel and rear bench as found in Miranda’s nearly $20k cheaper Hyundai...
Powerhouse
The 2013 Infiniti EX37 carries this name because of a well-bred 3.7L V6. This mill is voracious; it swallows pavement, snow, and any other surface material with a determined growl. At wide-open throttle, the 3.7L belches out 325 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque.
Infiniti’s 7-speed automatic transmission is one of my favourites of all conventional slushboxes. It slaps gears up or down with brilliant precision and determination. Once through it, the power travels to the ATTESA E-TS AWD system, which is equally brilliant.
The 2013 Infiniti EX’s AWD is rear-biased which provides all the desired driving sensations, be it on dry or, better yet, wet or snow. Applying an extra dynamic touch in the EX’s drive is its speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering. The weight and meat behind the wheel is palpable and well judged.
Tight and fast
The 2013 Infiniti EX may not come to mind when discussing rapid forms of transit, neither when the topic moves on to handling. The EX, when shod with the 19” wheels with P245/45-section tires, can tackle the tarmac.
The fully independent suspension is on the firm side of comfortable. Its programmed compromise between handling and road-irregularity manipulation is best amongst Japanese crossovers, but has yet to attain the level of poise offered up by the Germans. It is, however, very good.
Another aspect I especially enjoyed is the 4-wheel vented disc brakes. Their strength, combined with the 2013 Infiniti EX steering and road-holding, make it a great drive.
Too much is too much
The advent of the self-driving car brings with it the now countless number of active safety systems in our modern cars. Although some have become indispensable, most pose as more of a nuisance and a serious pain-in-the-ass.
The worse offender in this 2013 Infiniti EX is the Distance Control Assist or DCA. It creates a perimeter around the vehicle which could be considered a “safety zone” but, in my opinion, hampers forward progress as it is able to apply the brakes and worse, make buzzards go off. For the average driver, I may be able to understand it’s worth, however, the systems must first work.
On a few occasions, caused surely by the presence of snow on the DCA sensors, I could not engage the intelligent cruise control, a situation much like that which I experienced at the wheel of a 2012 Volvo S60.
Be that as it may, the 2013 Infiniti EX is a fine product in need of a facelift. I expect the next EX, sorry QX, to be quite impressive.
The 2013 Infiniti EX blends a useful dose of utility along with performance, prestige and luxury, and proves to be a better overall package than the G37, M37 and FX37. Its ability to easily carry gear thanks to it hatch configuration and decent room for four occupants, along with a reasonable price explain why this may be the best all-round V6-powered Infiniti.
Its driving dynamics are surprising. Its 325 hp engine slaps a 100km/h grin on the driver’s face in less than 6-seconds. And listening to the V6 growl and witnessing the transmission’s efficiency further adds to the grin. All the while, the cosseting interior entertains and comforts. I like this little crossover.
Time can be cruel
And, although it hasn’t been too cruel to the 2013 Infiniti EX, it only looks older because most of its siblings are recent or all-new. The EX is still handsome, but the new 2014 Infiniti Q50 sets the stage for what the next EX face -- or, as it will be known, QX50 -- will be like. In other words, it’ll be hot.
Currently, the 2013 Infiniti EX is mostly eye-catching because of its diminutive size. By comparison, Miranda’s 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe tester on the same week was positively huge. Stature is one thing, and although the EX may come up short in this department, the content that lies within is quite big, with a few exceptions.
Tight cabin; cockpit personality
The 2013 Infiniti EX is an ideal two-passenger, all-weather cruiser, however, unlike the Acura ZDX should the front occupants want to bring a few friends along, they will not be punished. By the same token, the trunk does not suffer, either.
Fit, finish and materials are what set the EX at or near the top step of the compact luxury crossover segment. The dashboard, in relation to the seats, creates a cockpit-like cocoon that may be claustrophobic for some, but that I find involving and very hands-on.
The 2013 Infiniti EX’s centre stack is positioned in such a way that the elbow need only rotate a few degrees for the fingers to work through the HVAC controls. Same goes for the audio buttons, however, the controls sitting nearly horizontal at the base of the screen require a little more effort to master. However, it’s all very high-end, so wellworth it.
The front seats are good, far better designed than most other Nissan perches, and the rear bench is well adjusted for two. The exceptions are, at over $53k as tested, the lack of a heated steering wheel and rear bench as found in Miranda’s nearly $20k cheaper Hyundai...
Powerhouse
The 2013 Infiniti EX37 carries this name because of a well-bred 3.7L V6. This mill is voracious; it swallows pavement, snow, and any other surface material with a determined growl. At wide-open throttle, the 3.7L belches out 325 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque.
Infiniti’s 7-speed automatic transmission is one of my favourites of all conventional slushboxes. It slaps gears up or down with brilliant precision and determination. Once through it, the power travels to the ATTESA E-TS AWD system, which is equally brilliant.
The 2013 Infiniti EX’s AWD is rear-biased which provides all the desired driving sensations, be it on dry or, better yet, wet or snow. Applying an extra dynamic touch in the EX’s drive is its speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering. The weight and meat behind the wheel is palpable and well judged.
Tight and fast
The 2013 Infiniti EX may not come to mind when discussing rapid forms of transit, neither when the topic moves on to handling. The EX, when shod with the 19” wheels with P245/45-section tires, can tackle the tarmac.
The fully independent suspension is on the firm side of comfortable. Its programmed compromise between handling and road-irregularity manipulation is best amongst Japanese crossovers, but has yet to attain the level of poise offered up by the Germans. It is, however, very good.
Another aspect I especially enjoyed is the 4-wheel vented disc brakes. Their strength, combined with the 2013 Infiniti EX steering and road-holding, make it a great drive.
Too much is too much
The advent of the self-driving car brings with it the now countless number of active safety systems in our modern cars. Although some have become indispensable, most pose as more of a nuisance and a serious pain-in-the-ass.
The worse offender in this 2013 Infiniti EX is the Distance Control Assist or DCA. It creates a perimeter around the vehicle which could be considered a “safety zone” but, in my opinion, hampers forward progress as it is able to apply the brakes and worse, make buzzards go off. For the average driver, I may be able to understand it’s worth, however, the systems must first work.
On a few occasions, caused surely by the presence of snow on the DCA sensors, I could not engage the intelligent cruise control, a situation much like that which I experienced at the wheel of a 2012 Volvo S60.
Be that as it may, the 2013 Infiniti EX is a fine product in need of a facelift. I expect the next EX, sorry QX, to be quite impressive.
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