Vehicle: 2006 Infiniti FX35 with Technology Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$61100

Performance: Nissan’s VQ engine series has always been famous for its silky-smooth delivery of power, the same goes for the 280hp unit underneath FX35. Throttle response is quick and responsive. With 270 lb/ft of torque available at 4800rpm, it also feels quick despite of FX’s close to 4400 pounds vehicle weight. The level of refinement, NVH and power are as one expected in VQ. Matched with this engine is the quick shifting 5-speed manumatic. It never hunts for the gear. The fuzzy logic program has the work ethics which learns driver’s right foot extremely well.

Handling: The biggest change to FX’s overall dynamic package has to be its ride quality. While FX always handles decently with good driver feedback, as well as a solid chassis and excellent ATTESA ETS AWD. Its ride quality is really lacking compares to its rivals. The ride is rough and damping rates never seem to know how to absorb expansion joints and washboard pavements. The springs are so hard to match the passengers tough to bear inside. With FX35 changed to standard 18″ and 20″ finally available as an option on FX45, on the other hand, Infiniti engineers have recalibrated the rebound damping on this revised version. The result isn’t significant even if its more bearable to passengers and driver inside. Don’t expect RX’s sublime ride quality as Lexus is tuned more toward comfort than sport, unlike the FX. The revised ride is more comparable to X3 without sports suspension. Which means its definitely not the best riding, nor the worse riding, like pre-revised FX45 did. But at least Infiniti engineers know it doesn’t have to be rough-riding to be a superb handling soft-roader. In terms of ride/handling compromise, FX still two notches below those of X5, Cayenne and Touareg. However, I am still impressed with Infiniti’s VDC which is totally uninstrusive when pushed very hard into corners. The center of gravity set for this soft-roader remains another merits that keep driver in total control. The concept of being a nicely handled soft-roader is good for active safety, unfortunately, the execution with ride quality was disappointing. I am happy to see they finally addressed this issue 2 years after initial launch.

Brakes: FX’s 4-wheel discs and ABS have provided more than average stopping distance given its weight. The pedal feels solid and firm, both control and modulation are delightful surprise.

Interior: Other than the poor ride quality, another area lacking in FX had always been cheap interior. The revised FX has improved materials, fit-and-finish. There are more soft plastic on the dashboard than the hard ones. Unfortunately, the wrong placements of power seat rocket switches remain intact; as well as the very complicated center console switches that crammed too many together in such a small areas. There are some merits remain intact in FX’s interior. The easily find driving position, as long as you can find the seat adjustment buttons, comfortable leather seats and a useful back-up camera. After much-criticized by customers on Infiniti’s leather quality, they finally use some more durable material. The leather lining is thicker and doesn’t seem to wear as badly as previous one down the road.

Conclusion: 2 years down the road, there are still many to go for in the Infiniti FX. It got street presence, handles decently with lots of standard features. It also got the ride comfort and interior materials that it has been crying out for in day 1.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2006 INFINITI FX35
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3.25/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-f0r-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5