The seats are comfortable and they offer heating/cooling functions along with 8-way power adjustments. Finding a good driving position is a breeze, as you can imagine.
What a cavalry!
Picture the FX50 as a cavalry of 390 earth-pounding thoroughbreds. With 369 pounds-feet of torque on top of that, the new 5.0-liter V8 delivers breathtaking takeoffs and accelerations. While I noticed a subtle lag in the power delivery (between the moment you hit the throttle and the car surges forward), the engine is definitely up to the task and performance meets expectations. Too bad the FX is as thirsty as a herd of elephants in the middle of the desert...
This beast is surprisingly docile, however. Driving dynamics are beyond reproach, with a fantastic level of smoothness and refinement. Bumps and potholes don't stand a chance against the firm yet very compliant suspension of the FX. Handling is superb despite the vehicle's size. I found my tester remarkably nimble and stable in corners.
The brakes are as competent as the steering, the precision of which is very good. Among the FX50's host of innovative gadgets is Intelligent Cruise Control, a system that can completely stop the vehicle and make it reaccelerate without any intervention from the driver.
As for visibility, you have to make a number of sacrifices. The interior rearview mirror is dangerously large, while the swooping roofline in the back significantly affects three-quarter visibility. Fortunately, the automaker's Around View Monitor, which consists of four cameras mounted on each side of the vehicle, is really helpful -- even though you must still remain alert at all times.
Competition
The 2009 FX50 ($58,900) faces some pretty stiff competition. Similarly-powered models that instinctively come to mind include the Porsche Cayenne S ($72,200), Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE ($71,600), BMW X6 xDrive50i ($78,100), Mercedes-Benz ML550 ($74,900) and, to a certain extent, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 ($49,995).
The bottom line
The all-new 2009 Infiniti FX50 might not be the king of the jungle, but it easily imposes its will wherever it goes. This high-performing, boldly-styled and feature-laden crossover is also extremely safe thanks to said cameras all around. Looks like the overhaul of the one-of-a-kind FX is a true success.
photo:Matthieu Lambert
What a cavalry!
Picture the FX50 as a cavalry of 390 earth-pounding thoroughbreds. With 369 pounds-feet of torque on top of that, the new 5.0-liter V8 delivers breathtaking takeoffs and accelerations. While I noticed a subtle lag in the power delivery (between the moment you hit the throttle and the car surges forward), the engine is definitely up to the task and performance meets expectations. Too bad the FX is as thirsty as a herd of elephants in the middle of the desert...
This beast is surprisingly docile, however. Driving dynamics are beyond reproach, with a fantastic level of smoothness and refinement. Bumps and potholes don't stand a chance against the firm yet very compliant suspension of the FX. Handling is superb despite the vehicle's size. I found my tester remarkably nimble and stable in corners.
 |
| Looks like the overhaul of the one-of-a-kind FX is a true success. |
The brakes are as competent as the steering, the precision of which is very good. Among the FX50's host of innovative gadgets is Intelligent Cruise Control, a system that can completely stop the vehicle and make it reaccelerate without any intervention from the driver.
As for visibility, you have to make a number of sacrifices. The interior rearview mirror is dangerously large, while the swooping roofline in the back significantly affects three-quarter visibility. Fortunately, the automaker's Around View Monitor, which consists of four cameras mounted on each side of the vehicle, is really helpful -- even though you must still remain alert at all times.
Competition
The 2009 FX50 ($58,900) faces some pretty stiff competition. Similarly-powered models that instinctively come to mind include the Porsche Cayenne S ($72,200), Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE ($71,600), BMW X6 xDrive50i ($78,100), Mercedes-Benz ML550 ($74,900) and, to a certain extent, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 ($49,995).
The bottom line
The all-new 2009 Infiniti FX50 might not be the king of the jungle, but it easily imposes its will wherever it goes. This high-performing, boldly-styled and feature-laden crossover is also extremely safe thanks to said cameras all around. Looks like the overhaul of the one-of-a-kind FX is a true success.
photo:Matthieu Lambert
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