Topic: CD Article: 2008 Infiniti EX35

[Autos_Editor]

Test Drive:


The new Infiniti EX35 "looks great, has a wonderful interior and combines useful cargo space with a compact exterior and surprising driving dynamics," says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.  But its best feature is its V6 engine, he says. Second opinion by Jil McIntosh.

 
Read the article | View the photos | All The Test Drives

[The Mighty Duck]

This car really is gorgeous in person.  And with that engine, I think it would be brilliant to drive.

[mmret]

So are the FX35 and EX35 kind of like a DINK Yuppie lawyers/doctors/bankers his and hers thing?

[Wolfe]

This car really is gorgeous in person. 

I've seen several of them on the road now and I don't agree. To my eye there's something just a little off with the proportions of the EX.

[jww]

I am all over this vehicle -- I think it's lines are perfect, packaging is right, and it would be a perfect fit for our family lifestyle in about 2-3 years when we no longer have kids at home. My wife really likes it too, which is a good omen. 

The not-so-good, is that this will be one expensive car to run - especially as gas prices rise.

[Jaeger]

I think this vehicle looks terrific - not a lable I would hang on any other sport-cute-thingy.  But I sat in one at the dealership and thought the interior felt cramped and claustrophobic (though the quality was really good).  Remind me why someone chooses this over a G35 sedan again?

Jaeger

[Mitlov]

Remind me why someone chooses this over a G35 sedan again?

Because they like five-door hatchbacks?  Same reason someone would choose a Rabbit five-door over a Jetta, or a Matrix over a Corolla.

They're building it up as a crossover, but I don't see it.  A G35 has 5.3" of ground clearance.  The EX has 6.5", which is admittedly a bit more but still well within "car" range for me, not SUV.  And when you add AWD to each, the difference in ground clearance drops to 0.6".  Admittedly, the EX has a slightly higher roof--4.7" higher relative to the ground (or 3.5" higher, relative to the vehicle's floor), but that to me just suggests that the EX is the Matrix to the G35's Corolla.  A tall hatchback, not a crossover SUV.

[jww]

Remind me why someone chooses this over a G35 sedan again?

Because they like five-door hatchbacks?  Same reason someone would choose a Rabbit five-door over a Jetta, or a Matrix over a Corolla.

They're building it up as a crossover, but I don't see it.  A G35 has 5.3" of ground clearance.  The EX has 6.5", which is admittedly a bit more but still well within "car" range for me, not SUV.  And when you add AWD to each, the difference in ground clearance drops to 0.6".  Admittedly, the EX has a slightly higher roof--4.7" higher relative to the ground (or 3.5" higher, relative to the vehicle's floor), but that to me just suggests that the EX is the Matrix to the G35's Corolla.  A tall hatchback, not a crossover SUV.

Tall hatch, tall wagon, whatever. The cramped interior isn't any worse (or better) than the V50 - and that's not a bad car to drive with the one exception of closeness of pedals if you have a manual transmission.

People are also going to like this because it gives a slightly raised view of the road, without feeling too tall or unconnected like many higher vehicles.

Again, however, I wonder what is going to happen to high-horsepower vehicles that use more gas in the long run if fuel prices continue to rise. 

[quadzilla]

From the few I`ve seen on the road I actually like the looks of these, then again I also like the look of the FX.

I`ll put this on my list for a replacement for the wgn next year but feel it will fall off quickly with higher fuel economy than I want. But I`m sure the test drive will be fun.

NOTE: The link to the Infiniti website is broken.

[Schmengie]

Remind me why someone chooses this over a G35 sedan again?

Because they like five-door hatchbacks?  Same reason someone would choose a Rabbit five-door over a Jetta, or a Matrix over a Corolla.

They're building it up as a crossover, but I don't see it.  A G35 has 5.3" of ground clearance.  The EX has 6.5", which is admittedly a bit more but still well within "car" range for me, not SUV.  And when you add AWD to each, the difference in ground clearance drops to 0.6".  Admittedly, the EX has a slightly higher roof--4.7" higher relative to the ground (or 3.5" higher, relative to the vehicle's floor), but that to me just suggests that the EX is the Matrix to the G35's Corolla.  A tall hatchback, not a crossover SUV.

Call it a tall hatchback, a crossover or whatever, it doesn't matter. I don't get cars like this - if driving dynamics are the be-all end-all, just get a sports sedan. This is still a fairly big vehicle with 5 doors and a high roof, yet it can't carry back-seat passengers in any degree of comfort. Maybe I can accept sitting in the back with my knees against the front seatback in a Hyundai Accent, but not a car like this. What's the point?   

[Mitlov]

Spend a week in an X6 and it will seem remarkably spacious and practical

[Schmengie]

Spend a week in an X6 and it will seem remarkably spacious and practical

I don't see the point in that car either.

[Mitlov]

Spend a week in an X6 and it will seem remarkably spacious and practical

I don't see the point in that car either.

It's for everyone who ever wanted an AMC Eagle with additional badge prestige.

[Jaeger]

Remind me why someone chooses this over a G35 sedan again?

Because they like five-door hatchbacks?  Same reason someone would choose a Rabbit five-door over a Jetta, or a Matrix over a Corolla.

They're building it up as a crossover, but I don't see it.  A G35 has 5.3" of ground clearance.  The EX has 6.5", which is admittedly a bit more but still well within "car" range for me, not SUV.  And when you add AWD to each, the difference in ground clearance drops to 0.6".  Admittedly, the EX has a slightly higher roof--4.7" higher relative to the ground (or 3.5" higher, relative to the vehicle's floor), but that to me just suggests that the EX is the Matrix to the G35's Corolla.  A tall hatchback, not a crossover SUV.

Call it a tall hatchback, a crossover or whatever, it doesn't matter. I don't get cars like this - if driving dynamics are the be-all end-all, just get a sports sedan. This is still a fairly big vehicle with 5 doors and a high roof, yet it can't carry back-seat passengers in any degree of comfort. Maybe I can accept sitting in the back with my knees against the front seatback in a Hyundai Accent, but not a car like this. What's the point?   

I am defiitely with you here.  But others seem to get the point well enough because they sure are plentiful in my neck of the woods.

Jaeger

[Adam007to]

I have this car with blue on beige interior and I think its da bomb. (8000 km in 2 months)

The engine has so much power you never get tired of hearing it growl as you pickup speed swiftly in a wafting sort of way.  I like the DS sport transmission as this lets the car retain lower gears and keep you in the power band around curves or in traffic. 

High speed highway cruising is perfect as the steering only needs a slight light touch to keep on track and yet communicates the road to you at the same time. 

Fuel economy so far with my leadfoot is 13l/100km but seems to be coming down the more the engine/transmission is broken in.

Fully optioned my gadgets on this car leave me wanting for nothing.  In traffic or on the open road this car is a pleasure to spend time in.

I'm at a loss where I would get a better handling, more powerful as well featured car when I move out of this one.  I'm hoping in the intervening years something shy of the price of a Rolly Royce will compare favourably with this car.

[Jaeger]

Okay, I was feeling both curious and idle, so a ran a "build a comparison" on Edmonds to see how the interior dimensions of the EX35 compared to its sedan stablemate, the G35.

Wow - my subjective impressions of a more cramped interior were more than borne out.

The EX actually offers LESS interor space in the following measured categories:

Front head room (what the.. it's a much taller vehicle!).
Front shoulder room.
Front hip room.
Rear shoulder room.
Rear hip room

Most of those numbers are close, though, to be fair, with the greatest differential being 1.8"

But hang on to your hats for rear leg room:

G35 - 34.7
EX35 - 28.5

Yes folks, thats a whopping 6.2" difference.

Holy smokes - EX back seat passengers must have really short legs.

Jaeger

PS - rear head room is the same and the EX has a slight edge in front leg room.

[chrischasescars]

Okay, I was feeling both curious and idle, so a ran a "build a comparison" on Edmonds to see how the interior dimensions of the EX35 compared to its sedan stablemate, the G35.

Wow - my subjective impressions of a more cramped interior were more than borne out.

But hang on to your hats for rear leg room:

G35 - 34.7
EX35 - 28.5

Yes folks, thats a whopping 6.2" difference.

Holy smokes - EX back seat passengers must have really short legs.

Jaeger

PS - rear head room is the same and the EX has a slight edge in front leg room.

You can tell from this photo - http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/images.php?info=2008%20Infiniti%20EX35&src=http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/2008/images/infiniti/2008_infiniti_ex35/2008-infiniti-ex35_cc_011-5717.jpg -  and sort of in this one - http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/images.php?info=2008%20Infiniti%20EX35&src=http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/2008/images/infiniti/2008_infiniti_ex35/2008-infiniti-ex35_jm_006-5704.jpg - that there's not a whole of leg room in the back seat.

To add to your head-to-head measurement comparison, the EX's wheelbase is two inches shorter than that of the G sedan. I think Infiniti could have sacrificed a couple of inches in front seat travel to create more rear seat space; I'm 5-foot-8, and with the driver's seat all the way back, I couldn't even reach the pedals!

The EX's interior is useful, but this is a driver's car far more than one built to please everyone who might ride in it.

[Schmengie]

Okay, I was feeling both curious and idle, so a ran a "build a comparison" on Edmonds to see how the interior dimensions of the EX35 compared to its sedan stablemate, the G35.

Wow - my subjective impressions of a more cramped interior were more than borne out.

The EX actually offers LESS interor space in the following measured categories:

Front head room (what the.. it's a much taller vehicle!).
Front shoulder room.
Front hip room.
Rear shoulder room.
Rear hip room

Most of those numbers are close, though, to be fair, with the greatest differential being 1.8"

But hang on to your hats for rear leg room:

G35 - 34.7
EX35 - 28.5

Yes folks, thats a whopping 6.2" difference.

Holy smokes - EX back seat passengers must have really short legs.

Jaeger

PS - rear head room is the same and the EX has a slight edge in front leg room.

Think that's amazing? How about this:

                           Nissan Versa                       EX35                                G35
Front head room         40.6"                             38.7"                               40.5"
Rear head room          38.3"                             38.4"                               37.7"
Front leg room            41.4"                             44.3"                               43.9"
Rear leg room             38.0"                             28.5"                               34.7"

The 'little' Versa bests or equals the much larger EX and G35 in 3 out of 4 of these measurements, and clobbers the EX by an unbelievable 9.5" in rear legroom!

[Wolfe]

The 'little' Versa bests or equals the much larger EX and G35 in 3 out of 4 of these measurements, and clobbers the EX by an unbelievable 9.5" in rear legroom!

Now all they need to do is fit the 3.5L into the Versa's engine bay and it'd be perfect.

[Schmengie]

The 'little' Versa bests or equals the much larger EX and G35 in 3 out of 4 of these measurements, and clobbers the EX by an unbelievable 9.5" in rear legroom!

Now all they need to do is fit the 3.5L into the Versa's engine bay and it'd be perfect.

Sounds like a good idea to me!  That aside, the 3.5L is already in the G35 which is roomier than the EX, and lighter. I guess I just don't understand how a bigger, heavier car with less interior room makes sense to anyone. Like I said, if driving dynamics are that important, a sports sedan like the G35 is by far a better choice than the EX35 by just about any measurement.