2008 Infiniti EX35

By Benjamin Cyr

Road-test likes:

• the interior’s superb comfort;
• the great design of the dashboard and the central console;
• the high level of technology in the EX35;
• the surprising performances;
• great road handling;
• excellent all-wheel drive;
• the interesting price spread;
• the complete standard features package( and the optional package that stretches the imagination) 

Road-test dislikes:

• rear seating leg room could be improved;
• cargo area should provide more usable volume;
• higher fuel consumption than expected;
• the absence of sixed gear to reduce engine speed on the highway, thus saving fuel.

An almost perfect format

The EX35 is not a big vehicle; the size approximates that of an Infiniti G35. The look reminds one of its older brother, the FX35. Overall, I’m very satisfied with the final result. Compared to the G35x sedan, this new product offers more ground clearance and 10cm of extra height. The extra weight does not exceed 100kg, hence the close similarity to a sport sedan. Adhesion is excellent, the steering, precise and direct, and the braking, sturdy.
Only the cargo space and rear leg room need improvement. Though the available cargo volume surpasses 500 litres, the usable space fills up rapidly. The same can be said of the rear disposition. Passengers won’t complain about seat comfort or head room but might about their knees resting on the backs of the front seats. I’ve seen worse yet this remains a problem for the EX35.

To sum up, very few weaknesses in this «crossover sport compact». What’s more, finding a comparable high-end vehicle will take some doing. So, if you want luxury all-wheel drive, sport handling and a complete set of standard features, all for less than $50,000, the EX35 deserves more than a second look.