I had the opportunity to spend a few days with the elusive and reclusive Infiniti EX35.  Not familiar with it?  The EX35 was quietly introduced in 2008 and has been a minor player in the luxury-sport crossover scene since then.  Infiniti’s compact crossover is a capable and enjoyable drive, and it’s inherited a lot of the good stuff that Infiniti puts into the G37 sports sedan.  So what’s keeping it from being more popular?
It might not be the EX35′s fault.  The luxury-sport crossover market may not have existed ten years ago, but it’s become a hotly contested and competitive market segment in the past few years.  With truck-like SUVs losing favor among luxury buyers, vehicles like the EX35 and BMW X3 combine the sporty nature of mid-sized sedans with the cargo capacity of compact SUVs.  If you’re thinking that the intent is to create a high-riding sport wagon, you’re not far from the mark.

The EX35 compares most closely to the BMW X3, which shouldn’t come as a surprise.  Both of these vehicles are ostensibly crossovers, but there’s considerably more “sport” than “utility.”  Does that mean that the EX35 is basically a high-riding G37 wagon?  Well, it should be, but it’s not, exactly–which might explain why, while it’s a great vehicle, it hasn’t lit enthusiasts’ hearts on fire the way the G37 has.

Infiniti is good at doing understatement.  The original Q45, introduced in 1989, was so understated that it didn’t even appear in its own advertising, and as a result, the Lexus LS400 stole its thunder.   The Japanese sport-luxury manufacturer has raised its profile since then, but the brand still prefers a sort of quiet majesty to in-your-face bombast.  The EX35′s styling splits the difference between the G37 and the FX50, with a long nose and version of the G37′s “twisted-sword” chrome grille.  The headlamps wrap dramatically into the fenders and the hood’s got a distinct bulge that implies power and athleticism.  The EX35′s curves are somewhat less extravagant than those of the FX50, so it’s got more of a tendency to fade into the woodwork in parking lots.  LED taillights, adaptive Xenon headlights, and a handy “courtesy light” mounted in the driver’s exterior mirror ensure that it won’t go unnoticed in the dark, however.

Climb inside, and you’ll find one of the nicest cabins in the luxury-sport crossover class.  Where the Mercedes GLK and BMW X3 feel a bit cheaper than their bigger brethren, the EX35 provides a creamy leather interior with appointments that match those of larger Infiniti products.   The center stack is very user-friendly, and a choice of trim–aluminum in the standard model and maple in the EX35 Journey–complements the “wave-form” design perfectly.  Settling in and driving the EX35 is easy–it’s got a great driving position and good visibility.  When equipped with navigation and XM satellite radio, the EX35 also provides Bluetooth streaming audio, satellite weather and a Zagat restaurant guide.   Naturally, there’s a Bose upgraded sound system as well.  Downside:  the stylish and comfortable interior sacrifices a measure of utility.  The cargo area is awkwardly sized and seems designed more to look pretty than to actually carry stuff, and that dramatic slope to the rear limits the available space.   Cargo net?  Divider?  Nope.  When this car urges you to hit some curves with enthusiasm–and it will–your cargo will go tumbling.  The EX35 is a do-all that seems to be aimed at buyers who would be just as happy with a sporty, executive-transport sedan, but need a ski-lodge capable vehicle with plenty of technological toys.

Handling is un-SUV-like, to say the least.  Double wishbones up front and a multi-link rear provide a supple yet firm ride, and a choice of 225-series tires on seventeen- or eighteen-inch wheels maintain a tenacious grip on the pavement.  The standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) stability control offers a lane-departure prevention system.  Also offered are intelligent cruise control and Intelligent Brake Assist, which warns of and can mitigate the impact of an impending forward crash.

In parking lots, the available 360-degree Around View Monitor equips the EX35 with front, rear and side cameras that provide a real-time birds-eye view of the area around the car’s footprint, so you can see each of the blind spots.

The EX35′s reflexes are impressive for the class, and there’s a world-class engine to go with ‘em.  Infiniti’s excellent 3.5 liter V6 is on motivational duty under the hood.  24-valve construction and variable valve timing are common in this market, but this engine nevertheless stands out with endless oceans of torque and quiet operation.  The EX35′s two-ton curb weight masks the 297 horsepower on tap, which doesn’t provide the neck-snapping acceleration you might expect, but this vehicle does a decent sports-sedan impression nonetheless.  It’s also one of the quickest luxury crossovers out there.  Rear-wheel drive is the default mode, with all-wheel drive optional, and the standard five-speed automatic transmission provides smooth performance and reasonably quick downshifts when requested.  A downshift rev-matching mode is standard, and gives the EX35 a bit of a performance edge.  At the end of the day, unfortunately, this is still a big, relatively heavy vehicle, so ultimate performance is limited.

So what’s stopped the EX35 from lighting the luxury crossover world on fire?  Mostly it seems to be attitude–the EX35 is quietly impressive, but it’s the kind of subtle performance that you’ve got to be looking for.  It’s easy to lose this vehicle in the torrent of Mercedes, BMW, Acura, Audi and Volvo offerings.  The EX35 emphasizes luxury and performance over utility; it’s a tall sports sedan that will still haul a big load of luggage if you ask nicely.   EX35 pricing starts at $33,800 for the two-wheel drive model.  My tester was a Journey AWD model, with a base price of $37,400 and an as-tested price of $42,945 after the Premium package and eighteen-inch wheels were added.

All specs are for the 2010 Infiniti EX35 Journey AWD
Length:  182.3 in.
Width:  71.0 in.
Height:     62.6 in.
Wheelbase:  110.2 in.
Curb weight:   3979 lb.
Cargo space:   18.6 cu.ft. (seats up)
Base price:  $37,400
Price as tested: $42,945
Engine:   3.5 liter DOHC V6
Drivetrain:  five-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive
Horsepower: 297 @ 6800
Torque:  253 @ 4800
Fuel capacity:  20.0 gal.
Est. mileage:   16/23

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