Infiniti shook the entire SUV perception when it rolled out the original FX in 2004. Love it or hate it, the styling and design is something that has become part of the automotive landscape. Magazines commented on the 20" rims that came from the factory, and the swept roof line which decreased the "utility" component of the Sport Utility concept. For Infiniti it was a hit however, and without changing the formula too much they are about to unleash round 2 of the FX to the car buying public.
In the meantime, BMW obviously took notice and has offered us their take on the sporting SUV with the X6. Yeah, you can argue the X5 has visions of grandeur in terms of its sport component, but at the end of the day unless equipped with the right option groups it really became an alternative to the minivan for soccer moms everywhere. With the new X5, BMW stepped it up a notch, but it is still a SUV at heart offering additional options including a third row.
Not so with the X6. Talk about a statement. Park one of these next to almost anything else that claims to be an SUV of sporty intention and the picture that develops speaks for itself. Of course had this been done with the original FX at the time it was rolled out, a similar picture would have developed.
So is BMW copying the FX concept with the X6 and if the answer is YES, which is better???
As you know Agent 001 spent some time in an X6 this year, and he was shocked as to the reaction it received as he drove around Southern California. Give that some time to sink in, HE WAS SHOCKED AS TO THE REACTION IT RECEIVED AS HE DROVE AROUND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. Why the caps, Southern California is a car mecca. Trends started there trickle out to the rest of the country and the world. The manufacturers know this and have set up numerous design studios there to capitalize on this fact.
And the X6 captured the attention of people there, and feat that is hard to accomplish.
But is it good enough to go up against the FX.
Well both Motor Trend and Automobile magazines asked that very question in their July 2008 issues, and the results are interesting, BUT ARE THEY CORRECT?
MT compared a X6 xDRIVE 35i to a FX35 while Automobile used the X6 xDRIVE 50i against the FX50.
Both magazines rank the Infiniti ahead of the BMW. For the Infiniti fan boys, you can stop reading now, the rest of you read on as the Agents here at AutoSpies.com aren't sure the magazines got it correct.
Allow me to make the case...
MT - "...Infiniti FX35 - Less sexy, with more utility and a surprisingly smooth ride. Add in a far thriftier price tag, and the FX is clearly the more rational buy."
Automobile - "...the FX50 makes more sense to us - with nearly identical performance, five passenger seating, and a lower price it clearly will appeal to more buyers."
The testing done by both magazines confirm that the BMW's outperform the Infiniti in almost all of the tests run, and in general both magazines really have nothing bad to say about the X6 with either engine.
People don't choose an Infiniti over a BMW simply based on price. BMW's are more expensive for a reason, and people are willing to pay a premium to state they drive a BMW.
Is it just me or did both magazines MISS THE POINT???