(Our Umbria Twilight 2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD, cooling its heels in a rest area outside Green River, Utah.)
Here's a wrapup and a few thoughts on my recent holiday trip in our 2009 Infinit FX50.
Miles Driven: 2,357.
Fuel Economy: 19.7 mpg on premium fuel, cruising at about 78 mph.
Favorite Features: Instant and seamless power from the 390-hp, DOHC 5.0-liter V8 coupled with a smooth seven-speed automatic transmission. On the open road I loved the amazingly stable feeling created by the massive 21-inch low profile tires. The dimpled black leather seats (climate controlled) are ultra comfortable on long drives especially with the leg supports extended.
Limitations
: Cargo space. "This is a two-person car," my wife said after we dropped our sons in Denver and headed home as a twosome. With four passengers, and luggage for four, we were bursting at the seams. To make matters worse, the owner's manual is so large it is kept in a zipped pouch in the rear...where it makes stacking suitcases difficult. Finally, there is a definite problem with rear visibility. In fact, some might consider the interior "claustrophobic."
Problems: Occasional hard shifts at low speeds. The heat in the "climate controlled" seats comes up too slowly bring relief on frigid mornings.
Additional: The FX50 offers with some intriguing technology that our tester isn't equipped with. Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention and Intelligent Cruise Control are all available as options. Even without these goodies, the price on our FX was $62,285.
Final Notes: This is a spectacular hotrod of an SUV with cutting edge technology and love-it-or-hate-it styling.
Philip Reed, Edmunds Senior Consumer Advice Editor @ 4,314 miles
dougtheeng says:
12:44 PM, 12/30/08
No comments on winter/snow driving with summer tires?
texases says:
01:45 PM, 12/30/08
Any reason to pick this over, say, an M45x?
zcalvert says:
02:09 PM, 12/30/08
because you yearn for excess weight and worse gas mileage?
orangutan says:
02:17 PM, 12/30/08
texases: Because this has a new 5.0 V8 with seven-speed transmission.
texases says:
02:28 PM, 12/30/08
I know about the different engine/trans, and that those are reasons to test it. I'm talking about buying. Seems like the M45x would have more 'utility'.
CycloneRcr says:
02:34 PM, 12/30/08
Any reason to pick this over a much much better looking X5?? I am not talking about the dull-styled edmunds' fleet version, X5 needs 20" wheels and some sport package. I am not even talking about the interior..
huyracing says:
04:38 PM, 12/30/08
obviously, he didn't get stuck like everyone was hoping for...
altimadude00 says:
04:56 PM, 12/30/08
"The FX50 offers with some intriguing technology that our tester isn't equipped with. Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention and Intelligent Cruise Control are all available as options. Even without these goodies, the price on our FX was $62,285."
These things are for people who are chatting away or blackberrying behind the wheel and aren't paying attention. The vehicle equipped with these systems should come with a bumper sticker -- "WARNING! I am an inattentive driver that is relying on technology to drive the car for me."
billt9 says:
06:21 PM, 12/30/08
texases,
1. seating position and
2. styling and
3. ground clearance and
4. prestige.
As an SUV, you sit in a chair, as oppose to a lounge chair.
Styling... ... ... if you're drunk you might like the FX better.
Ground clearance if you live in a flooded area or broken/bad roads.
Prestige because I look _down_ upon you, and that gives me a feeling of superiority.
1. and 3. are the most compelling.
4. needs a shrink.
billt9 says:
06:26 PM, 12/30/08
Another advantage as an SUV is that all FX models actually get identical MPG as the respective M models!
That means this FX saves gas!
...or the M guzzles it.
ddoouugg says:
08:25 PM, 12/30/08
I'm glad you didn't have problems in the snow.
tenfifteen says:
05:07 AM, 12/31/08
@huyracing: As far as we know, anyway. ;)
Seriously, if it was uneventful, I'm happy; I don't wish ill on anyone. I think taking that risk was careless, regardless of whether it resulted in any incident. I also don't think it's proof that driving on summer sports is *ever* a good idea on snow.
To quote the cowboy, "sometahms you eat the bar, sometahms the bar eats you."
1487 says:
07:18 AM, 12/31/08
an SUV that cant carry much more than a car is kind of pointless. The FX seems to be for people who dont have kids but if you dont have kids I dont see why you wouldnt opt for a cheaper sports sedan.
cah11705 says:
07:54 AM, 12/31/08
in comparing this to the m45, i think this is just a more fun buy
i think its something for middle aged men cause its like a crazy car. suv with no utuility and big engine. sounds like it would go well with a old guy and his vette
jaeger1 says:
08:46 AM, 12/31/08
1487 - you are exactly right. For those reasons, the EX35 also makes little sense to me as compared to a G sedan.
stingray454 says:
10:51 AM, 12/31/08
Nice hardware, but damn that is a lot of money for an atomic catfish!
billt9 says:
12:29 PM, 12/31/08
At least the FX ($42,100) is CHEAPER than the M ($45,800).
If you avoid the big V8 option.
billt9 says:
12:35 PM, 12/31/08
Actually loaded the FX50AWD ($66,765) is still $175 cheaper than the M ($66,940), so there.
The M is one tiny rung higher than the FX.
MS3lvr92 says:
03:48 PM, 01/ 1/09
Well... the FX50 is just plain cool. The looks, presige, power, space, ect. The car is just awesome.
1487 says:
01:55 PM, 01/ 2/09
space? is definitely has power but I dont know about the looks and space.
MS3lvr92 says:
07:27 PM, 01/ 4/09
umm... hehe guess I wasn't using all of my brain when I was typing that one 1487...
I do like the looks though... even though most people don't.
Ok... here's a revised version of that previous post:
Well... in my opinion the FX50 is just plain cool. The looks, prestige and power are awesome. Too bad about that space issue though... the darn thing would explode if you tried to go for a Home Depot run with it.