2009 Infiniti FX35

Infiniti's second-generation flagship FX, unveiled at Geneva in March of 2008, will be available in three drivetrain combinations, with two of them reflected in the FX35. As the name suggests, the five-passenger SUV is powered by a 3.5 liter V6 and can be had with either an all-wheel drive system or driving the rear wheels only. All FX models, regardless of engine and drivetrain, are equipped with a brand-new 7-speed automatic transmission, which is Infiniti's first.

The transmission blips the throttle on downshifts to match engine revs to road speed, and can be shifted with optional magnesium paddle shifters mounted on the steering column.

The engine is an updated version of Infiniti's common and award-winning VQ35 and is good for 303 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. It returns better fuel economy than in last year's FX, a feat that is helped by the FX35's improved drag coefficient of 0.35 from the preceding model's 0.37, thanks in part to the sculpting of the rear LED taillights.

The factory-issue wheels for 2009 FX35 models are 18-inch alloys, shod with all-season tires, and opting for the Deluxe Touring Package upgrades them to 20-inch metallic finish rims. All paints covering the FX's new, lighter body utilize Infiniti's Scratch Shield technology that uses sunlight to heat the clear coat and fill in any fine scratches it may have endured.

Safety systems on all FX trims include Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution, as well as traction and stability systems. Optional is Intelligent Brake Assist for warning of a frontal collision and capable of automatic braking, Distance Control Assist (DCA) for keeping pre-set distances from the vehicle ahead in heavy traffic and a Lane Departure Warning/Lane Departure Prevention system, which helps keep the FX in its lane.

Inside, the base sound system is a Bose-designed, 11-speaker set-up with AM/FM band reception, a six-disc changer and XM satellite radio hardware. An optional hard-drive based audio and navigation system includes real time traffic information with an XM subscription, a 9.3 GB digital 'juke box,' iPod interface, CF card slot and a voice recognition system for controlling the climate control, navigation and audio system and phone.