Review: Infiniti FX45

EVERY once in a while, an automaker breaks the mould and designs a vehicle so far out of the box that, instead of following the herd of boxy sport-utes, makes a functional ride with the sleek, curvaceous look and feel of a sports car.
Three years ago, when Infiniti's FX45 burst onto the scene, it was unlike any sport-ute or crossover that had come before it. For years, it's been obvious the SUV had become a status symbol for the droves of urbanites and suburbanites who scooped them up. But SUV owners were more likely to be spotted running their ute through the car wash than over a rugged rock crawl.

So, it is fitting the FX45 has become known as the sports car-like SUV. It has the looks, it has the guts and, for the 2006 model year, it gets a nip and tuck -- a new grille, new bumper, new wheel design and three new colours -- to keep it competitive and modern.

Full review here

PlanoA4 - 6/23/2006 12:36:12 PM

+1 Boost

"Sassy" design for those who want to scream "LOOK AT ME!"..

Not bad for those who have a desire to think they will get noticed in it.

Tummy - 6/23/2006 3:28:30 PM

+1 Boost

I love cars that make you saw WOW the first time you see them. WOW it's ugly, or WOW it's incredible.

The FX45 reminds me of a spaceship and is so different than other boxy SUVs it's ridiculous.

Not only is the styling extreme, but the performance matches.

I can't wait to see what they do when an all new model comes out in 2008 or so.

rack - 6/23/2006 9:48:04 PM

0 Boost

of the week car.

Like all infiniti's I like them at first then become very bored with them. This one is no exception.

The audi a3 is more sport utility than this pig, and gets better mileage.

There is no utility in this beast, a4 avant, or 5 series wagon is a much better buy.

rack - 6/24/2006 11:39:04 AM

0 Boost

The only real competition to the FX is the Porsche(rr sport is too $$$) because SUV buyers want more utility than sport. If you want sports buy a sports car, not some jacked up station wagon with big tires to handle skidpads.

JUGNU - 6/24/2006 3:09:41 PM

+2 Boost

No doubt FX is one of the best SAV/SUV in the world Market tody.

The new Audi Q7 looks so much like the FX,except for the rear,and i think the upcoimng Q5 will be free from that exception.IT will look very FXissssssshhhhhhhh.

Not bashing or degrading Audi,but FX is so very well designed that anybody could dream of looking like it.

JUGNU----->THE CARMAN

JUGNU - 6/24/2006 3:09:41 PM

+2 Boost

AlexFX - 6/24/2006 9:34:42 PM

+2 Boost

I own an FX35 and athough it doesn't have the power of a 45...I will definitely surprise and even lose some people through the twisties. With the FX you get the utility (yes, there is enough utility for the all of the john does out there. If not, go get a pick up truck), sport, looks, and luxury. That's hard to beat.

Commonsense, nice to talk again...Yes, I too heard of an "FX50" rumor. Not sure how true it is. Knowing Nissan and their love with hp, 400+hp doesn't seem out of this world.

AlexFX - 6/24/2006 11:33:47 PM

+2 Boost

CommonSense,

The only problems that I've had with my FX were a malfunctioning toggle switch on the steering wheel (the one that skips tracks) which was covered by warranty and several flat tires due to nail punctures. Those Goodyear 20's aren't cheap either. I like what I'm hearing about the upcoming FX models. I'm just curious what a redesign would look like since the first design was pretty wild. I'll have to wait it out and see what the future brings.

PlanoA4 - 6/25/2006 12:58:51 AM

+1 Boost

"PlainoA4, how about if someone needs a car that has utility and more sport then anything in its class?"

Depends on what you define sport as. While the styling is a pesonal taste. This is a bit over the top and looks like a hot wheels to me. Almost cartoonish. I have grown past that stage. Yes it goes like scat in a straight line but the Infinity brand has too many problem for me. I have had 2 Infinitys, and 1 Nissan. I can say honestly I will never go down that road again. We all have our marquees that have failed to live up to oue expectation. this one happens to be mine.

PlanoA4 - 6/25/2006 1:30:18 AM

+1 Boost

"Its the same thing with these Audi people. They are all salesman, non of them actually look at a car for what it is, first comes the badge and then the preconceived notions."

First on all You confuse passion with car sales. I am unaware anyone on this board is working for Audi. Also I think in part one I think where I owned 3 Nissan/Infiniti products in the past I proved the point that I am qualified to post on the subject from a non biased standpoint.

You also mentioned the skidpad of a Fx vs a Rs4. Well that is a static test. I can't count the times a car scores better or close in static tests only to lose because the total package is not as balanced overall. This is why Top Gear proved the S4 can beat a M3 around a road coarse but still not test out as fast in the static testt.

Find a mag that give slalom times for both. This is at least an indicator of transient response and road holding to a degree. You really can't take one aspect and claim any car superior.

PlanoA4 - 6/26/2006 8:43:30 AM

+1 Boost

I guess it depends on what you want and need in a SUV. You stated that the FX brings new things to the table. Yes it does and as far as performance limits it does set new standards. It goes like scat, corners on rails, and stops like it ran into a wall. The car does set a benchmark in those areas for a SUV/Crossover/whatever the class is now. (am I the only one that fails to see these lines clearly?)

If those are your defining elements then great, you go for it. But I hope you don’t plan on driving it for more than 3 years 36k. This is where I ran into my issues with the G35 coupe, the M45, and our recently departed business vehicle a Xterra. All had issues after the 3 year mark. The G35 was well before that (first issue was 3500 miles). The Xterra was just traded in after $4k in bills in the 4th year at the 46k mark with more repairs on the horizon. Simply put they are great short term vehicles but to me that is all.

You quoted that other cars are unreliable, however in the same series of post you said your self you had to resort to a ball point pen to move the seats, Alex had bad electrics fo the radio. Neither of these are severe but you said it is great to hop into a vehicle that works. Sort of a contridicition. We all put up with some crap with our cars.

BTW seriously what type of tire life are you getting out of the FX? I always seemed to eat tires in the Infiniti models. The G35/250Z actually has a class action suit on it currently.

PlanoA4 - 6/26/2006 12:57:46 PM

+1 Boost

Hopefully you do not experience the issues I had with the brand. I understand little stuff like you mentioned. However when each visit is $300 it gets old quickly.

With the G35, it ran through front tires every 3500 miles. Infiniti issued a TSB stating that this was normal for the car due to it sporting nature. (that is a new twist for me to see) Every one of these cars also suffered from bad brake calipers as well as warped rotors as early as 20,000 miles. I could understand this if we autocrossed or were hard on the cars, but they were daily driver witn normal wear and tear. Actually the Xterra needed rear drums too due to warpage. These are listed as common problems for all these models. So you get an idea where I was heading. Hopefully you will fare better.

PlanoA4 - 6/27/2006 11:58:29 AM

+1 Boost

$300 is the typical repair bill; and it did vary with each visit. In the past with other brands if I had an issue, and could prove a solid maintenance history, I usually got some consideration. (To encourage brand loyalty) Not with Infiniti, the regional offices could give a crap.

Come on now 3500 miles on a set of front tires is horrible. They blamed it on the original tires, however all other brands did the same exact wear. So to me that pointed back to the original design or the alignment specs of the vehicle. This is part of a class action suit for the 350z and the G35 coupe.

Also, all three cars had brake caliper issues, this in turn warped the rotors. The rotors are not covered under warranty, so I paid out of pocket for this. THEN the dealership determined the calipers themselves were originally defective and was the root cause. Infiniti stance was that I had to show failure of all components at the same time. So no consideration could be made. On a side bar the Xterra also broke a rear brake drum (how the heck does that happen).

AC on both the Xterra and the M45 had hoses go bad, and the Xterra also lost the AC compressor. Now the electric in general have been no problem (a sore point on some German cars). It has always been mechanical failure that plagued the models I have owned

I can rant and rave about the other issues, but the point has been made. All makers have their problem models. But this seemed to me to be part of a greater issue. As cars become more complex there is a far greater likelihood of an issue. But it is disheartening to have basic issues with the core components.

Class action suit on G35 brakes: http://www.lemonlawclaims.com/nissan_g_35_brake_class_action.htm

Class Action suite for tires (this was extended to the G35 as well since they are sisters)
http://www.350ztireclassaction.com/

All makes have their issues. Whether it affects you or not and how the maker handles it is the issue.

driverAlex - 6/29/2006 11:15:36 PM

0 Boost

I agree with what Rack said earlier. The FX is just like every other infiniti that looks amazing at first and becomes boring. I find this car to be just too much - It seems like it screams "Im compensating for something". Id take a look at an X5, Q7 or RX way before I considered one of these. Not to mention infiniti's crappy reliability rating. This car is overrated.

infinitymom - 7/13/2006 11:50:30 AM

+1 Boost

I admit...I do look good driving the Infinity FX45 :) However, if you thing that the all wheel drive handles in the New England snow, think again. But what makes me even more disappointed is that the vehicle is only 26 months old with 18,000 miles and I need 4 new tires to pass inspection. Infinity as well as our mechanic said they have about 1000 miles of tread in them. WHAT? I drive it to the grocery store and school and I need all new tires at $300 a piece and the dealer said, "its a sports car"...I don't think so. PlanoA4 do you think that class action suit extends to the FX's?