Now available in version 2.0, Infiniti’s second generation 2009 FX was rolled out in San Diego during a press preview two months before its on sale date in June of 2008. With a revised exterior, the new crossover is even more controversial — for better or worse.

So, What is it?

Infiniti’s new FX is a refined, refreshed version of its groundbreaking sport SUV introduced in 2003. Edgy and radically different from the get go, it was unlike any other SUV at the time. This time, the FX has received a freshening, along with a technology upgrade, which brings it up to date with many other cars in the Infiniti stable.

As with most SUVs in its class, this is a product that will rarely get itself dirty, and if it did, it would look like a kid who dressed in his best suit, only to run out and jump into a puddle of mud. No matter, it’s capable and has a look that demands a second glance from every angle.

The FX series is unique in its body design, which features sports car proportions and a longer, lower appearance that makes it resemble more of an anti-SUV look rather than the rugged off-road type of a Land Rover or Jeep.

What’s up against it?

Settled in the middle of a competitive set which includes the new BMW X6, Audi Q7 and Lexus RX350, among others, it features Nissan-Infiniti’s all-new workhorse 3.5-liter V6 or its equally-new 5.0-liter V8 engine.

The two available powerplants come in two distinct flavors. Buyers of the FX35 can have it equipped with either rear-wheel drive (RWD), or all-wheel drive (AWD), while buyers of the FX50 will receive their vehicles in all-wheel drive form only.

Any Big Breakthroughs?

The new FX is flush with techie innovations. Some are useful, others are gee-whiz, but there really is something for everyone.

Infiniti’s Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) have been seen before in other Infiniti vehicles, but as in the new EX35, it subtly “aids” you in getting the vehicle back in your lane after departing from it while crossing the lines. If the system senses driver input (i.e.: turning the wheel), it will not sound the alarm, but if the FX gradually crosses over a line (visible to a camera lens mounted in the side view mirrors) it will signal by a “beep, beep, beep” alert that can become a bit tedious after a while. At the same time, the LDP system will gently apply brake pressure to the outside rear wheel (away from the turn) to gently ease the FX back into its own lane.

Protecting us from ourselves is the direction in which we seem to be headed, and with that in mind, Infiniti also includes the Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning. Using a laser that performs double-duty with the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system, it monitors closing speeds with a slower moving or stationary vehicle in front of you. The IBA can sense a wrinkled piece of sheet metal before it happens and apply the brakes to either prevent or — if it’s too late — reduce the speed of the crash to come to help keep that insurance deductible minimized. As of right now, we will assume the IBA works as billed; our pre-production test vehicle had a few electronic gremlins pop up that seemed to prevent the IBA from functioning correctly. Testing and subsequently crunching the front end (not to mention the rear-end of the car in front of us) would not show particularly good form to our hosts from Infiniti. (An additional snafu involved the front passenger air bag remaining uncharged, even while a passenger was seated.)

Also new is the industry’s first Distance Control Assist. An available option, and one that, thankfully can be shut off by pushing a button, it uses the accelerator to gently push upward on your foot in an effort to get you to back off from the pace you are pedaling at. Think of it as an electronically operated Yosemite Sam, warning you to “Back off!”

We’ve seen it before on the EX35, but the Infiniti Around View Monitor (AVM) uses four super wide angle camera lenses that stitch together an image to give a virtual bird’s eye view of the vehicle and objects all around it. It’s a useful safety feature that we think should appear in other brands in the not too distant future.

The Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) features an ionizer to remove or neutralize air by releasing positive and negative ions that attach to the airborne particles, rendering them harmless. The FX50 also has a new filter impregnated with natural grape seed polyphenol to neutralize noxious fumes from outside the vehicle. This comes in handy while passing landfills or road kill.

Finally, nanotechnology makes a second appearance on an Infiniti in the form of the brand’s “Scratch Shield paint.” It’s perfect for vehicles that spend much of their lives in the parking lots of their local malls. A self-healing paint technology that is tailor-made for cars that brush up against shopping carts and vice versa, it causes the clear coat surface to “melt” back into scratches, thus healing the owwie caused by an inconsiderate shopping cart.

How Does It Look?

Since its first appearance in 2003, the Infiniti FX has been one of the more polarizing designs to ever leave the studio. Internally nicknamed “the Bionic Cheetah,” it’s sort of like sushi; either you can never get enough, or one taste will have you hugging the porcelain bowl.

We are fans of the raw fish morsels. As of the FX’s design. It’s an acquired taste to be certain, but one that stands out from the crowd and will be attractive to trendsetters and the avant garde alike.

This refreshed-for-2009 version features a restyled front fascia with new, more-detailed headlamps in smoked housings along with functional wind exhaust vents tucked in behind the front wheel wells. According to Infiniti, they are good for a 5-percent reduction in front lift.

Unlike the swept-back roofline of the recently reviewed BMW X6, the FX features a full-size greenhouse, the better to utilize for hauling odd-shaped cargo.

One aspect of the exterior that we’re having trouble accepting is headlamp design. Somewhat overstyled, the FX’s “eyes” end up looking a little bit like Jocelyn Wildenstein’s from some angles.

And Inside?

Infiniti chose to equip the FX with a padded and leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant controls as well as magnesium paddle shifters to control the gearbox. Dominating the middle is the center stack which houses the Bose audio system, HVAC and navigation controls as well as those for the Around View Monitor (AVM) system. In addition to the pervasive iPod hookup, the system is also equipped with a 9.3GB hard drive for permanent music downloads. Directly below is the shift lever for the transmission, which is surrounded by some of the prettiest stained curly maple wood trim ever seen in a car. Perhaps a tie-in with a guitar company would be in order. (The Infiniti FX50 Martin Edition?)

Leather seats with available climate controls keep the flop sweats at bay on hot summer days, while up to three back-seat dwellers can control their own temperatures through the rear-seat air conditioning ducts. An optional DVD mobile entertainment system with nine-inch flip down screen is available to keep even the most challenging child under control in the back seats. The same back seat can be folded forward in a 60-40 split for a larger amount of useable cargo space in the rear.

The interior is greatly improved over the original version of the FX, although it still needs work to get to the top of the hill in the luxury sense. With SUVs being all about utility, perhaps by their very nature, they will never fit into the top tier of the luxury market.

But Does It Go?

It most certainly does. The FX line offers two choices of available power for both ends of the buying spectrum. The FX35 uses an all-new version of the firm’s 3.5-liter DOHC V6, which puts out 303-horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque for a net increase of 25 horses. Step up a level and receive the brand new 5-liter V8, rated at 390-horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. That’s a net increase of 70-horsepower and 34 lb-ft of torque over the outgoing FX45. Mileage figures for the FX50 slot in at 14 city / 20 highway for a combined average of 17 miles per gallon. The RWD version of the V6 delivers 16 city / 23 highway for a combined average of 19.5 miles per gallon.

Both engines transfer power to the ground by use of an all-new seven-speed automatic transmission with sports shift and adaptive shift control. But first, in order to erase the bad habits of the drivers that were here before us, we cycled through four start engine/stop engine sequences to blank out the memory of driving habits. We especially like the transmission’s downshift rev matching, which put you in the right gear to accelerate again as soon as you were able.

Handling has seen an improvement over the previous FX with double wishbone front and rear multi-link suspensions. Our sport package went even further, being equipped with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) which contains electronically controlled shock absorbers that continuously monitor and alter the shock settings to provide the best ride and handling possible. Rear Active Steering also helped, easing the FX50 through turns in a much more responsive manner. Again, as in lane departure prevention, think subtle.

Why You Wouldn’t Buy One

If you fancy yourself as an off-road racer, ready to compete in the next Baja 1000 race, this isn’t your ride. If you’re looking for more luxury, the BMW X6 might also be a consideration. The FX is a boulevardier with great road handling ability and a look that attracts attention, even in automotively-jaded Southern California.

Why You Would

The 2009 FX35 or FX50 would look at home in your drive if you were on the cutting edge of hip, or at the forefront of cool. The Bionic Cheetah is a polarizing design that will have you becoming the talk of your town in no time, whether you like it or not.

Words and photos by Mark Elias

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