REVIEW: 2009 Infiniti FX- Should BMW Be Worried?

I was invited to a special preview in San Diego of the new 2009 Infiniti FX-Series last week.

I had a chance to drive both models (FX35 and FX50) albeit for only about an hour each.

But even though it was short, it wasn't hard to do my review and comparison.

http://shows.autospies.com/gallery/2009-Infiniti-FX-76/ 



As you know, BMW has given us a long term 2008 X5 for review and we just got back from the X6 launch, so this infiniti drive couldn't have come at a better time for comparison.

Plus, Agent 004's daily driver is the current FX35 that he spent his hard earned AutoSpies.com money on.

So how do the new SUV's stack up?

First is the new look...





In my opinion, just like the X6, the FX design is polarizing.

I don't mind it and I think it's nicer than the last version but this one has something too cartoonish in the face for my taste.

Some might say it has a WHALE of a face. ;)



Agent 004 was not as nice when he first saw it in Geneva.

He said he HATED the face compared to his FX35.

So we think you will either love it or hate it but I think the X6 wins the design contest hands down.

Next, let's talk about size.

There have been a lot of people criticizing the interior room of the new X6 but we're now convinced, that anyone who sits in both the FX and X6, will feel the X6 has ACRES more room inside.

At least it felt that way to me.

In seating area AND cargo space.

So what about the drive?

Both the 35 and the 50 drive well (i preferred the 50) but we are VERY spoiled after driving the new BMW twin turbos (35 and 50).

The Infiniti engines are REAL nice but when all the tests are in from the major mags, we believe the BMW Turbos will beat BOTH the FX35 and FX50.

Not by a landslide, but they will win.

Message to Infiniti and the rest of the competitors.

Time to make the turbos!!!

The other key deficiency you will notice on the FX's compared to the BMW's, is in the suspension.

The Asians have beaten the Germans in quality and some technologies like nav systems, but NOT in the suspensions...yet.

Most people will find the FX's stiff compared the RX's and the likes but compared to the BMW's they feel a little brittle.

Not as sophisticated in complex maneuvers.

Better driving than a Lexus RX or ML but not up to the task of the Ultimate Driving Machines.

What about gas mileage?

The new FX's are rated with more horsepower and get about 1MPG better than the last generation SUV's.

Nothing to write home about, but an improvement.

ALL Infiniti's need to do much better in the MPG department.

Interior

The new SUV's are miles better than the ones they replace when it comes to the interior.

Lots more wood and refinement...and the quilted leather seats look awesome...especially in the brown color....very Bentley-ish.

http://shows.autospies.com/gallery/2009-Infiniti-FX-76/





They have come a long way and we hope this pattern follows into other cars in the line.

The only thing I didn't like about the interior is the carryover driver gauge cluster.

In my opinion it looks cheap.

Technology



Here's where this car really shines and will give every BMW driver Infiniti envy.

Why can't I get stop and go active cruise on my X5 or X6?

Why isn't my backup camera as quick and clear on my X5 and X6?

Distance control assist on an X5 or X6? Not gonna happen...for a while.

We could go on in the technology are but you get the idea.

The Infiniti's SQUASH the BMW's here.

And the FX's are cheaper!

The two areas they shine best is in the tech area and in bang for the buck.

You get A LOT for your money with any Infiniti and especially these.

And when you put those two things together, now you know why so many people go looking for a BMW but end up driving home with an Infiniti.

As much as the Germans want to believe that these toys don't matter to customers buying decisions, we can tell them that they DO.

I HATE the fact that these things aren't available on my X5  or X6!

Conclusion

So overall, you would think we're not that high on these new FX's, but that would not be true.

We'd buy them over everything else out there except for the BMW's.

And we will tell you, it's VERY close.

Something BMW definitely does NOT want to hear.

And that's pretty high praise.

Nothing wrong with being SECOND best in this game.

Great job Infiniti!

sholemon - 4/23/2008 7:22:20 AM

+2 Boost

whats the price difference between the x6 and fx50?

0to60 - 4/23/2008 7:37:36 AM

+1 Boost

Im off to ATL autoshow to see them both! Im excited about the release of both of them! I hear the Fx isnt as ugly in person as it appears in pics. I will have to judge for myself. Im excited!

0to60 - 4/23/2008 7:38:33 AM

+1 Boost

and wasnt this ? already posted like a week ago or so...!?!

Agent001 - 4/23/2008 1:26:13 PM

+2 Boost

Photos were posted but not our drivng impressions due to a press embargo of 4/23.

001

FactsRule - 4/23/2008 10:25:06 AM

+1 Boost

Or you could go to another site that caters to your subpar taste..

mpls - 4/23/2008 9:21:47 AM

+2 Boost

The girl in black on the right looks like the best.. yes, the car also looks good too..

Agent001 - 4/23/2008 1:28:40 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, the Enkei wheels are a very nice touch.

001

PerformanceGuy - 4/23/2008 1:21:52 PM

+1 Boost

Between those choices I would have to pick the FX as the best one!

abcd - 4/23/2008 1:36:06 PM

+1 Boost

"Nothing wrong with being SECOND best in this game."

It depend for who , for someone who like gut handling maybe it is . some journalists like gut quality of plastics(e.g. europe) - then it would be on different place , some like innovations , some design etc. so this SECOND is rather subjective than objective - i think it isn`t many people who buy SUV MOSTLY for it gut handling .

Agent001 - 4/23/2008 1:40:15 PM

+1 Boost

One thing I neglected to mention is that I would most likely buy the FX over a G35 if I was going to buy an Infiniti.

More room, flexibility and drives almost as nice as the G.

001

CommonSense01 - 4/23/2008 1:41:19 PM

+1 Boost

I like both the X6 and this, but i cannot reasonably convince my self to purchase a x6 xdrive35 for the same price of an Fx50. Another thing that i really question is the weight difference. I am sure the BMW might feel quicker due to the advantage in torque, in the lower rpm range, but will the xdrive35 extra 60 lbs foot of torque really make up for the 800 lbs weight penalty? probably not, unless it has a much higher final drive ratio than the fx, which is unlikely

Agent001 - 4/23/2008 3:26:18 PM

+1 Boost

That's why I said...

'You get A LOT for your money with any Infiniti and especially these.

And when you put those two things together, now you know why so many people go looking for a BMW but end up driving home with an Infiniti.'

001

dlin - 4/23/2008 3:22:55 PM

+2 Boost

Performance-wise, Yes.

Look-wise, half-half. FX got a weired front this time. X5 looks chunky, though sophisticated. X6 sucks.

Shredmo - 4/23/2008 5:01:30 PM

+1 Boost

My $.02,
1. Decorative fender vents drive me nuts
2. I like the catfish styling, it humbles the vehicle.
3. I like the brunette's peek-a-boob shirt.

Agent001 - 4/23/2008 6:50:30 PM

+1 Boost

Peek-a-Boo, I see you!

001

DW1968 - 4/25/2008 10:20:49 PM

+1 Boost

Peek-A-Boob?

Anthony - 4/23/2008 5:46:00 PM

+2 Boost

The front-end is cartoonish, and the rear reminds me of Hyundai.

This actually makes me like the X6 more, which I did not see coming.

DW1968 - 4/25/2008 10:20:14 PM

+1 Boost

Interesting specs, but honestly, I just could not see myself owning the Infinitis because of the styling. Just too weird.

The BMWs drive better, have more room, and offer better styling (in my opinion), and retain their value better, so I'm willing to take all of that in exchange for some techno-doo-dads. Don't get me wrong, techno-doo-dads are cool, but a lot of them become out of date really fast anyway, so as long as I have a decent nav system and bluetooth, I'm good.

Agent 001, can you give some examples of technology in the FX that you think that REALLY makes a difference in the overall driving experience? I don't really "get" the big deal with Active Cruise, because it's not like you can actually stop paying attention anyway, so what does it save you, except maybe a little foot fatigue...? But for me, I want my foot on the accelerator anyway, because driving is an aggressive sport around here (Chicago).