When Infiniti launched the EX a couple of years ago, they couldn’t have chosen a better time. Premium-brand sales are on the rise, crossovers are trendy, and everyone’s a sucker for horsepower. Bringing it all together is a no-brainer.
Basically, one would consider the EX35 as a wagonesque G sedan, which isn’t all that far-fetched. They share the same wheelbase, while the EX is shorter, wider and obviously higher. Compared with a G37x, it weighs about 250 pounds more.
I know; the G37 now has a slightly bigger engine. The EX35’s engine bay is still decorated with the 3.5-litre V6, which in this case develops 297 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque; that’s 31 ponies less than the sedan.
That doesn’t bother me, because all that muscle is funnelled through a 7-speed automatic with manual mode, and 0 to 100 km/h sprints are cleared in 7.5 seconds. The V6’s aggressive soundtrack also provides some aural excitement. We just wish the transmission was quicker to downshift when we put the hammer down.
Despite its highway rating of 8.5 L/100 km, the conclusion of a 1,200-km trip netted us an average of 9.7, which is higher than expected. Around town, the average will rise above 12 L/100 km.
The EX’s all-wheel drive system spins the rear wheels under normal conditions, and can send up to 50% of engine torque to the front wheels when it feels that the going is getting rough. The EX35 handles beautifully and dynamically, and feels rock solid on the highway, which is no surprise given its G sedan roots.
Passengers benefit from an excellent cockpit design. Every element is rounded out, from the oval-shaped air vents to the swoopy dashboard that flows into the doors. Quality materials are used throughout the interior. The only true flaw concerns the multimedia system’s buttons and rotary knob; they’re too far away to operate comfortably. Oh, and some wheel-mounted controls are out of the thumb’s reach.
 |
| The EX35 shares its platform with the G sedan. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Basically, one would consider the EX35 as a wagonesque G sedan, which isn’t all that far-fetched. They share the same wheelbase, while the EX is shorter, wider and obviously higher. Compared with a G37x, it weighs about 250 pounds more.
I know; the G37 now has a slightly bigger engine. The EX35’s engine bay is still decorated with the 3.5-litre V6, which in this case develops 297 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque; that’s 31 ponies less than the sedan.
That doesn’t bother me, because all that muscle is funnelled through a 7-speed automatic with manual mode, and 0 to 100 km/h sprints are cleared in 7.5 seconds. The V6’s aggressive soundtrack also provides some aural excitement. We just wish the transmission was quicker to downshift when we put the hammer down.
Despite its highway rating of 8.5 L/100 km, the conclusion of a 1,200-km trip netted us an average of 9.7, which is higher than expected. Around town, the average will rise above 12 L/100 km.
The EX’s all-wheel drive system spins the rear wheels under normal conditions, and can send up to 50% of engine torque to the front wheels when it feels that the going is getting rough. The EX35 handles beautifully and dynamically, and feels rock solid on the highway, which is no surprise given its G sedan roots.
Passengers benefit from an excellent cockpit design. Every element is rounded out, from the oval-shaped air vents to the swoopy dashboard that flows into the doors. Quality materials are used throughout the interior. The only true flaw concerns the multimedia system’s buttons and rotary knob; they’re too far away to operate comfortably. Oh, and some wheel-mounted controls are out of the thumb’s reach.
 |
| The EX35’s cockpit benefits from excellent design and finish. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |