Comparison: 2008 BMW X6 xDrive35i vs. 2009 Infiniti FX35 AWD

ugofil submitted on 05/15/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 11:32 PM
from: www.motortrend.com

Tags: bmw x6 infiniti fx35

bmw x6 infiniti fx35

Comparison: 2008 BMW X6 xDrive35i vs. 2009 Infiniti FX35 AWD

The X-Factor: Which fashion-forward sport/ute rules the runway?

"Perfectly pointless." After taking the X6 xDrive 35i home for a night, that's how editor-in-chief MacKenzie summarizes the X6. It's a damning critique of BMW's latest as a flawless execution of a worst-of-both-worlds concept: sport-coupe practicality with SUV-like handling.

Not only does his characterization misinterpret reams of BMW's finest marketing literature, it directly contradicts the opinion of resident snapper Vance. He took the same Bimmer to San Diego the next day and came back declaring the X6 the sexiest German import since Heidi Klum.

Who's right? Who's wrong? We decided to find out by pitting the X6 xDrive 35i against its clearest rival, the 2009 Infiniti FX35.
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85bmw745i - 5/16/2008 10:10:57 AMView My AgentSpace

-6 Boost

Get rid of that saturn Vue grill on the fender. it really looks outta place on the infinity

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FitzLA - 5/16/2008 5:20:14 PM

+1 Boost

You mean Infiniti?

S4cabriofoxone - 5/16/2008 10:40:59 AMView My AgentSpace

-4 Boost

That X6 looks stunning. I'm warming up to the idea of the thing.

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S4cabriofoxone - 5/16/2008 10:44:37 AMView My AgentSpace

-5 Boost

Their sentiments about how the X6 drives haven't really been echoed by other publications.

Autoegr525 - 5/16/2008 5:39:16 PM

+2 Boost

I personally don't like it which is just an opinion, but I disagree with all the publications that say it looks better in person. It looks in person exactly the way it does in pictures.

vladyxa - 5/16/2008 10:56:55 AM

-3 Boost

This is written by the same moron, who did lame "review" couple days ago, pointing out two major faults of X6 - 1) it's heavy, and 2) it drives heavily.

What an idiot...

Just let go already.

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bulldogz - 5/16/2008 11:12:43 AM

+2 Boost

did he just write the article or also test-drive the car? I assume the X6 isn't his first test-drive, but suddenly because he trashed a BMW his opinion as a PROFESSIONAL car mag reviewer should definitely be questioned, right?

hahaha!!! German Defense Force unite!!

vladyxa - 5/16/2008 11:33:23 AM

0 Boost

Do not assume anything, because assumption is a mother of all... You know what.

Just read review this "PROFESSIONAL" car mag reviewer wrote, and if you know even little something about cars, you'll see how far away that "PROFESSIONAL' car mag reviewer is from understanding cars. He should try ballet reviewing - may be that will work better for him.

CommonSense01 - 5/16/2008 11:40:29 AM

+2 Boost

Vladyxa

What are you talking about? What did he state that was not true? Ive driven the x35drive and its agreat car but even comparing it to the old FX with the sport package, the car wasnt that special at all. It had excellent amount of grip but extra 1000 lbs difference between that an the older fx was to much for it to be any fun.

Teknik - 5/16/2008 1:56:54 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Vladyxa,

Why do you want to let it go? What are you afraid of? The X6 is an overpriced reincarnation of the AMC Eagle. For the price of the X6 ($64,420), people will be able to buy a fully loaded FX50S which will hand the xDrive35i it's ass.

GTR35 - 5/16/2008 11:25:00 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

What's happening to the Ultimate Driving Machine? I guess there's no country for an old Bimmer either.

If only they got rid of the ugly headlights on the FX, it might just be flawless.

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M35MT - 5/16/2008 12:16:48 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

It actually looks better in these pictures than I first thought. Maybe its the silver?

GTR35 - 5/16/2008 2:46:19 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I agree, it does look a little better and it'll probly look better on the road. But at least it doesn't resemble the Pontiac Aztec like the X6 does.

GTR35 - 5/16/2008 4:30:54 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Yo i better get some boosting up n hur

1995e34 - 5/16/2008 11:31:54 AM

0 Boost

awd suv comparison in...san diego...great venue...

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CommonSense01 - 5/16/2008 11:35:52 AM

+6 Boost

Im usre the Fx would have thrashed the X6 even more if this comparo was a little more fair. How are you going to use the sport packaged X6 and a BASE fx with 18's????????? If the Fx was optioned with the new sport package with Ddamper control, it would not only be more comfortable riding but it would also take the X6 on their figure 8 track.

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JRobUSC - 5/16/2008 11:53:20 AM

+2 Boost

You should be happy they used the 18" wheels on the FX, considering they didn't give the BMW and its 20" wheels any credit for outhandling the FX. Instead they focused much more on the harsher ride, a complaint the FX would have shared had it also been equipped with its larger wheels.

CommonSense01 - 5/16/2008 12:08:47 PM

+4 Boost

Thats the whole point, You would be correct except for the fact that the suspesnsion constantly adjust itself, im not talking about the older FX, I was reffering to the new one with the DCS. But regardless, how can they give the X6 the performance nod, if in fact, the fx would have atleast posted a .87 g or more, considering the more heavy fx50 did a .87g. The accelration are dead even to 40, then at 60 the x6 is a little ahead, but any where after 60 the fx is clearly faster, those turbos dont have enough steam above 100, trust me i know, i have the same problem in my 335i, before i added the ECU piggyback, i would destroy some cars to about 90, and then they would start walking me like i never had the lead.

Teknik - 5/16/2008 2:08:16 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Bottom line:

For the price of the xDrive35i, people can buy the FX50S, which will annihilate the X6.

If the FX35 can win, then the FX50S will have an even easier time.

JRobUSC - 5/16/2008 2:51:29 PM

+1 Boost

and to that I say "the people buying the X6 won't care". They don't walk into a BMW dealer looking at a $65-80k car thinking "the BMW is going to be the cheapest". The X6 might cost more than the FX but the 35i version costs the same or less than the Mercedes ML550 or Cayenne S despite offering more performance, and the 50i costs the same or less than the Range Rover Sport, ML63, Cayenne GTS/Turbo, etc.

The Infiniti is less, we all knew it would be. Why? Because if it wasn't they wouldn't sell any. I think BMW is more interested in matching up with those other vehicles than they are about being the cheapest in class. My guess is they'll gladly let Infiniti have that title, and let the exclusivity of the X6 (something those other vehicles have as well that the Infiniti does not) carry the day.

KZ258 - 5/16/2008 11:40:50 AM

+4 Boost

the outcome of this compario does not surprise me at all

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EL34 - 5/16/2008 12:12:13 PM

-6 Boost

The Infiniti looks like a typical Pokemon cartoon character and it's @$$ is draggin' on the pavement.

The BMW will always be in first place.

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M35MT - 5/16/2008 12:23:14 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Check the article again dumbass, you lost.

CommonSense01 - 5/16/2008 12:31:05 PM

+4 Boost

el34

You mentioned that in every FX article that was posted on this site. I actually enjoy your stupidity, but switch up the jokes already, your dogg ass draggin jokes are stale. And apparently BMW wont always be in first place, you ruin it for the normal BMW enthusiast like me and others on this site. Everyone knows your biased.

_43LE - 5/16/2008 12:34:22 PM

0 Boost

I feel so bad for you EL34.

1995e34 - 5/16/2008 3:01:12 PM

0 Boost

is there anything in this world funnier than a dog dragging his ass on the carpet?

markanthony0419 - 5/16/2008 12:46:24 PM

+5 Boost

even if the bmw was better (in this case its clearly not) its still 17k more then the fx. Case closed in this case looks like back to the drawing board for bmw this time.

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montyz81 - 5/16/2008 12:54:19 PM

+5 Boost

First Nissan managed to build a true 3 series competitor in the G35. Then a 5 series competitor in the M35. Now BMW has stood up and is taking notice, so they tried to send a competitor back at Nissan. This time though they failed. All this adds up to more recognition and better reputation for the Infiniti brand. Way to go Nissan! Soon Lexus will be wondering why they aren't number 1 in Luxury car sales any more!

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BMW4me4ever - 5/16/2008 1:10:04 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

the editor didnt like the BMW from the get go. The Infiniti did well, but alot of the judgements of who won or not had to do with opinions, that were most likely already made in adavance. BMW X6 did perform well. What is up with the horrible stopping of the Fx? No matter what anyone says, the Infiniti is one ugly duckling.

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CommonSense01 - 5/16/2008 1:41:53 PM

+6 Boost

BMW4ever

So the results are in, and how do you feel????? To quote you from before, The xdrive35 will destroy the fx in performance. any questions, at 40 they are dead even, at 60 the x6 pulls a head a bit, then the fx takes over all the way to the querter mile, and this was a stcok fx compared with a x6 with sport package. So who got destroyed? Appernetly my argument before was pretty logical, isnt it great that we can just go back and read what we previously wrote in the other blogs??

CommonSense01 - 5/16/2008 1:47:39 PM

+7 Boost

P.s

Looks are subjective, you really have no ground to stand on the performance issue anymore, so your just looking for anything thats left, huh? i know you work for BMW but seriuosly give credit where its due. i dont undersatand you fanatics. I own a BMW too, how come im able to seperate product from badge, and you obviosuly cant.

Teknik - 5/16/2008 1:48:11 PMView My AgentSpace

+8 Boost

BMW fanboys and cheerleaders will never admit that they are wrong.

Besides, for the price of the xDrive35i, you will be able to get an FX50S which will slap the "35i" silly.

Car and Driver FX50S:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 12.6 sec
Zero to 140 mph: 32.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.6 sec @ 104 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 161 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g

BMW4me4ever - 5/16/2008 2:07:53 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

i didnt say anything bad about the Infiniti except I dont like how it looks. Apparently I am not the only one. Yes the Infiniti was a dead heat for the 0 to 60 and 0 to 100 & 1/4 mile. What happened to the handling and braking category?

In regards to looks, you and I know that the Infiniti is pretty ugly compared to the previous model. Interior wise, infinti's are usually pretty nice. Still, the BMW X6 buyer is not going really shop vs the Infiniti FX. It will be between the Cayenne and Range Rover. Only the Infiniti buyers are going to shop BMW and infiniti.

In regards to the V8 X6, the infiniti will be slower. BMW estimated the 0 to 60 on the www.bmwusa.com website as 6.5 seconds & in 2 tests have been 5.9. BMW estimates the V8 to be at 5.3 seconds, guessing then it should fall around 4.7 to 4.8. which will be quicker.

CommonSense01 - 5/16/2008 2:23:02 PM

+4 Boost

bmw4ever

Really?? Do i really need to answer that, what happened to the handling and braking?? Perhaps THE PERFORAMNCE PACKAGE WAS OMMITED!! with the perforance package, the fx35 sohuld easily outhandle this thing, considering the fx50(NON SPORT) did a .87g on the skid pad, the 400 lb lighter fx should perform even better. P.S, for 17 thousand dollars, ill take an extra couple of feet in breaking. By the way , youre a smart guy, why play dumb? We both know bigger tires equels more surface area= much shorter stopping distance, am i wrong?

JRobUSC - 5/16/2008 2:59:28 PM

+1 Boost

CommonSense, those FX50 performance stats you mentioned were actually from the FX50S, which IS the high performance version of the vehicle.

As I said previously, my guess is the X6 xDrive50i is going to be right on pace with the FX50S for performance, right on par with the Cayenne Turbo and ML63 and way ahead of the Range Rover. But BMW priced the X6 to be considered a Cayenne, ML63, and Range Rover competitor, not to be an FX competitor. BMW might lose a sale or two to the FX from people value shopping who probably wouldn't have ever "moved up the brand tier" anyway, but that's ok, because they'll sell those one or two to the people who would have gotten the Cayenne or Range Rover previously. If you have to lose one group of buyers, lose the ones on the low end. They'll do just fine.

CommonSense01 - 5/16/2008 3:48:38 PM

+1 Boost

JROB

I agree absolutely with what your saying, but i do not come to this site to talk about presetige and excusivity. If i wanted to be exclusive, id buy a Chrysler Aspen, because Not a single person has one, so its much more exclusive than an x6. I tried to like this car, trust me i own a 335i, so i was def rooting for it even before i went to test drive these cars. I came back thinking exactly what this reviewer was, the car is great if it cost 40 thousand, not 60+ plus when decently loaded. It handled well but NOT well enough to sacrifice the utility and justify the price tag. Handling wise, yes its a bit better than most but i dont see myself paying 60 thousand dollars for a v6, i would rather purchase a ml550 with gobs of torque and straighline perforance or the fx50s with everything better. Btw, the poeple you talk about are badge hoes, they are not enthusiast and thus they are irrlevant in this convo, we are tlaking about perforamnce cars for enthusiast to enjoy, and not which car my mom can purchase to make her freinds jelous.

JRobUSC - 5/16/2008 5:11:53 PM

+4 Boost

CommonSense, then you wouldn't buy a Cayenne GTS/Turbo or ML63 either, and you're not the target audience BMW had in mind with this vehicle. In that case you're the "bottom end" buyer BMW is sacrificing to get the foothold in the upper market. Again, this isn't supposed to be a "value" proposition, and for "performance enthusiasts" aren't going to drive an SUV anyway. It's a status car, it performs on par with or better than the cars BMW intended it to compete with, and it's priced accordingly. What you have here is Infiniti going after BMW, not the other way around. That's an important distinction to make.

PerformanceGuy - 5/16/2008 1:14:21 PM

+3 Boost

Good review, not really surprised at the outcome. Looks like Infiniti is taking down the BMW lineup one by one. Keep up the good work Infiniti!

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BMW4me4ever - 5/16/2008 2:19:35 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

one by one ... what are you talking about? G37 vs the 335 coupe won 1 time. G35 has lost every comparison to the 328 & 335. Infiniti FX35 beat the BMW, 1 time and suddenly it is that BMW is losing and Infinti is the new car. huh? 2 comparison tests in 2 years against about 9 the other way, due not make you a winner.

CommonSense01 - 5/16/2008 2:27:21 PM

+5 Boost

Yeah i have to agree with bmw4ever here, Infiniti is doing a great job competing with BMW, but i cant say there taking down one product at a time but some products are definetly better. The m35 was a better car, then a 525i or a 528i. The FX was a much better truck than an x5 ( if we are talking about performance only) as for everything else, they both make great cars.

Teknik - 5/16/2008 3:33:31 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

BMW4me4ever,

Did you forget about this comparison test?

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=123235

Also, the Infiniti-M has beaten the 5-Series in every single comparison test they have been in together.

Infiniti is no BMW yet, but they are far ahead of anyone else who is trying to compete with them.

They were a NOTHING brand 5 years ago.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/19/2008 12:02:03 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

"The FX was a much better truck than an x5"

That, I have to disagree with. As a performance vehicle, the FX is superior, but as an SUV, the X5 is easily the better car. It offers not only performance, but versatility, some semblance of practicality and luxury that the FX can't match. Along WITH its performance.

But I guess the FX really competes with the X6, which apparently it is better than.

BMW995 - 5/16/2008 1:36:21 PM

-2 Boost

BMW produces a sport coupe/SUV that weighs 5000 lbs. I guess gas prices are back to 80 cents/gal. This is the last gasp for vehicles of this type.

I guess you do look good driving up to the country club while taking your two bags of golf clubs out of the trunk. In today's fuel price situation, BMW would never have produced this car.

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Teknik - 5/16/2008 2:13:11 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Agent001 and Agent009 are both crying right now for their beloved propeller brand.

Just wait, they will tell you that Motor Trend was paid of by Infiniti through advertising.

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bmwdrvr - 5/16/2008 3:19:34 PM

-1 Boost

who honestly thought a BMW would beat an Infiniti in a Motor Trend test.....i mean seriously think about it....is that really a "rational" choice......not that i doubt the Infiniti FX is a good car, im sure its a great vehicle but Motor Trend's review of the X6 doesnt echo that of other reviewers they make it seem like a poor effort on BMW's part, in this test and others by them on the X6 they treated the X6 with the same failure mentality upon its first test. Of course the X6 is less practical its a 4 seater, low capacity SUV(among my gripes about it), with that said it is a niche vehicle its like comparing a CLS and M and saying the CLS makes no sense because its less practical and more expensive of course its not a car for everyone that is why there is an E class, and why there is an X5.

Teknik - 5/16/2008 3:24:43 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

For once, you make some good points, I'll give you that.

On the other hand, the no one really cares about the CLS anymore. It was just a fashion statement, with a short shelf life. More people are interested in the next E-Class. The X6 is just like the CLS, a fashion statement, that will have heavy initial buyers, but will dry up there-after.

Shallow consumers who buy the CLS and X6 will move on to the next big thing.

bmwdrvr - 5/16/2008 8:54:33 PM

+1 Boost

if the X5 cost more than the FX who didnt know the X6 at thousands more than the X5 would cost more than the FX....The X6 is a polarizing vehicle I honestly dont like it, I have said that several times on here but my point is these crazed Japanese car fans that arent enthusiast but route for it because of its country of origin solely read the below comment...take any random test and i do mean random test of a BMW, AUDI, or Mercedes losing to some random Japanese car and saying they are superior for much less price.....I can tell you ahead of this test as Motor Trend calls the FX the rational choice...there is nothing rational about an X6 a big heavy SUV that is very fast for its size, that only seats 4 as a sloping roof, and low cargo space It lost before they started testing it based on logic and rationale.....its a niche vehicle not just another midsize crossover which is what the FX is. BMW has the X5 to cover potential FX buyers the X6 is its for better or worse radical variant. More useless test from Motortrend, and 2 more crazed japanese anything, as long as its only japanese people(not enthusiast)

abcd - 5/16/2008 3:44:00 PM

+3 Boost

BMW X6 has one advantage over infinity FX - their AWD - torque vectoring similar to this in mitsubishi lancer evolution , so it could be faster through the corners .

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CommonSense01 - 5/16/2008 3:49:40 PM

+1 Boost

^ Very true, but the 700 lb weight difference should more than negate that advantage.

M53R - 5/16/2008 4:14:29 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

For you all who are saying the BMW is overpriced, you are making it sound like the Infinite was first, then came along the BMW with a 17k more than the infinite price! Did any of you check the price on an RR, Cayenne Turbo, ML63? Yeah... it's not the BMW that's overpriced. It's the infinite that is cheap.

From the begining of the article, it was obvious that the X6 was gonna lose. The editor was hating on it all day long.

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BMW4me4ever - 5/16/2008 5:09:01 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

that is what i tried to say. The editor has made it very clear that he didnt like the X6, but then has the nerve to try and give an objective view of the car. huh? Never going to happen. The vehicle that he dislikes the most will lose no matter how the performance numbers match up.

JRobUSC - 5/16/2008 9:49:20 PM

+4 Boost

EXACTLY. Where is it written that the BMW/Porsche/Range Rover/Mercedes are supposed to cost the same as the Infiniti? Infiniti is doing the chasing here, they're the ones trying to target the big boys. Those other brands aren't targeting Infiniti. You don't think they'd love to charge $80k for the FX50S like BMW does for the X6 50i? HELL YES they would. But they're smart enough to realize there's a price threshold they have to maintain. The Infiniti is a value priced alternative to the BMW/MB/RR/Porsche, and a great one at that. However Infiniti is smart enough to realize if they priced them even remotely the same, everyone would just buy the BMW/MB/RR/Porsche.

Is the Infiniti a great vehicle? Yes. Is it a great value? Yes. Is that going to matter most people wealthy enough to be considering the Range Rover, BMW, Mercedes, or Porsche? Not one bit.

Teknik - 5/17/2008 12:46:03 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

If your implying that wealthy people don't like great values as well as normal people, then you are dead wrong. The most uber wealthy people are also some of the most frugal people in the world.

There is a person on one of the Nissan forums who owns an M6, F430 Spyder, Gran Turismo, and M45 Sport. The Infiniti is his favorite daily driver. He already has an FX50S on order.

JRobUSC - 5/17/2008 4:42:23 PM

+2 Boost

Teknik, I'm not implying anything. I am stating that most people (not all, but most) buying Cayenne GTS/Turbo's, ML63's, and Range Rover's aren't going to "step down" to the Infiniti no matter how well it performs. They're buying those vehicles because they desire them, not because they're necessarily the best at anything in particular. The X6 isn't a volume vehicle, so if BMW wants to sell out of them and poach sales from somewhere, they're going to aim for THAT market, not the FX market. Infiniti hopes the FX poaches sales from the X5/X6. BMW hopes the X5/X6 poaches sales from the Cayenne and Range Rover. That's the difference. Is the Infiniti probably a fantastic vehicle and a much better value than the X6? Of course. But that's also true of the Infiniti versus those other models, which happen to sell plenty well. No one seems to be questioning THOSE cars, just the X6. The mistake everyone posting in this thread is making is in assuming that BMW was targeting the FX with the X6, and missed by pricing it so high. They weren't, and they didn't. They were targeting those other brands, and hit a bullseye. It's priced in line with THOSE cars, the ones BMW intended the X6 to compete with, and outperforms them as well, all while looking like nothing else on the road. If you want to save money and buy a more volume based, less exclusive vehicle, get the FX50S. If not, take your pick of those other vehicles, X6 included.

farabira1 - 5/18/2008 6:00:14 AM

+1 Boost

Great to see the X6 getting a bash up by Infiniti FX, which seems like a much more attractive proposition.

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