Infiniti’s EX35 compact crossover is back for 2010 with more standard equipment and some technological enhancements.
Introduced two years ago, the EX35 has become one of the best-selling models in the Infiniti lineup, offering sporty performance in a car that has seating for five and SUV-style cargo-carrying capability.
A junior version of the larger FX, the EX has essentially the same engine as the FX35 (six-cylinder) model, but starts about $9,000 less, at $33,800 (plus $865 freight).
For 2010, the navigation system is available as a stand-alone option on the base model, but was standard on our Journey tester.
New standard features include heated front seats on all-wheel-drive models (probably because these are sold mostly in snow country), heated outside mirrors on all models, automatic headlights, Bluetooth hands-free phone system on Journey models, and a USB port for iPods.
Models with the Bose premium audio system and without the navigation system now have a two-gigabyte hard drive for onboard music storage.
Beyond those changes, the EX returned mostly unchanged for 2010.
Our tester was the rear-wheel-drive Journey model, the uplevel version of the EX, which lists for $36,000 (plus freight). The top model is the all-wheel-drive Journey, at $37,400; with all available options, though, the price can go as high as $45,000.
Added as standard features last year on the base EX were leather seats, a rear-view camera, rear climate-control vents and polished aluminum roof rails.
While EX buyers so far have been predominantly men, the vehicle was designed to appeal to women as well. Key competitors are the Acura RDX, BMW X3 and Audi Q5. But the EX also competes with sedans in the entry-premium segment as well.
Based on the chassis of the 2008 G35 sedan, the EX essentially is a wagon version of the G (whose name is now G37, reflecting a larger engine).
Under the hood of the EX is the same engine used in the earlier G35, a 297-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. It’s connected to a five-speed automatic transmission also taken from the G35.
EPA ratings are 17 mpg city/24 highway with rear-wheel drive and 16/23 with all-wheel drive.
The rear-drive system helps give the EX its sporty handling. Most crossovers have front-wheel drive (although most, like the EX, are available with all-wheel drive). The EX35 is the only vehicle in its segment with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive, however.
The all-wheel drive is good for snow and rain, but also helps guide the car through curves on dry pavement, as well. It’s not intended for serious off-road driving, however, as it does not feature low-range gearing. The car also has limited ground clearance.
High-tech gadgetry includes an around-view monitor system, self-healing exterior paint, a 3-D navigation screen, and a lane-departure warning and correction system.
The EX features a long hood, short front and rear overhangs, and wheels pushed to the corners. It includes a double-arch grille, large L-shaped headlights (with an available bi-xenon adaptive front lighting system), integrated fog lights, LED taillights and an arch profile.
Also included are a spoiler on top of the rear hatch, dual chrome exhaust tips, an optional power moon roof, and optional roof cargo rails.
Special attention was given to the interior design, which includes practical features such as an optional coat hanger in the rear of the driver’s seat, and a power-fold-down rear seat that allows for easy expansion of the cargo area at the touch of a button. Those buttons are found either in the rear of the cargo compartment or on the dash, and will also raise the seat.
Front-seat height is higher than that of the average sedan, but lower than in the typical SUV.
Other features include easy-to-read gauges with white and violet lighting, an analog clock, and hospitality lighting, with an LED beaming a penlight down from above the center console.
The navigation system, included on our vehicle, comes with a seven-inch LCD screen in the middle of the instrument panel. It includes a 9.3-gigabyte hard drive for music storage and playback
In front, the bucket seats are roomy and comfortable. There is limited legroom in the rear with the front seats all the way back, but that’s normal in the compact segment. Adults can sit back there, but children find it more comfortable.
The center console and instrument stack come with black lacquer and aluminum trim, but maple wood trim is optional.
Probably the coolest feature is the around-view monitor system, which uses four cameras, one each in the grille, on the rear above the license plate, and on the side mirrors, to produce a bird’s-eye view of the area around the car on the dash monitor. The idea is to give the driver a “top-down view” of the car while parking, Infiniti said.
Another high-tech feature is the lane-departure prevention system, which goes beyond the lane-departure warning systems on some other luxury vehicles. When the EX system detects the vehicle drifting out of its traffic lane, the brakes engage slightly to give the car a gentle push back into its lane. The beeping of the system as the car approaches the center or edge stripes on the road can be a bit annoying, however.
Helping to keep the exterior nice is the Scratch Shield paint, which self-heals small scratches – such as those from fingernails under the door handles. The process can take from a day to a week, depending on the outside temperature and the depth of the scratch. This is possible because of a special soft elastic resin in the clearcoat paint. It won’t correct severe scratches though, just the minor everyday ones.
The EX also comes with the Infiniti Intelligent Key system with pushbutton start, which allows the key to remain in a pocket or purse. Optional is XM satellite radio.
Other standard items include an eight-way power driver’s seat with two-way manual lumbar support, and a four-way power passenger seat. Optional are a driver’s seat memory system and an eight-way power passenger seat.
Our vehicle also had the Technology Package ($2,250), which added the lane-departure system, radar cruise control, and intelligent brake assist with forward collision warning; and the Bose audio system with around-view monitor ($2,150).
We also had the Premium Package ($1,750), which brought the driver’s seat memory (including outside-mirrors and steering-wheel positions), eight-way power front passenger seat, xenon adaptive headlights that turn toward the way the vehicle is turning, aluminum roof rails, the coat hanger on the back of the driver’s seat, power-folding rear seat, and a universal garage opener. Illuminated kick plates added $280 to our car, as well.
Total sticker for our tester was $43,295, including freight and options.
But it’s really not necessary to pay that much for an EX35, if you can live without all the high-priced extras. Without them, you’d still have a great premium crossover for under $35,000, including leather interior.
The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1994. Contact him at 210-250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.
