Last week I put a quick 450 miles on our long-term 2009 Infiniti FX50. Final destination was Napa with a quick stop for a track day at Laguna Seca. Don't worry: the FX50 was a spectator, not a participant, because no one here wants to pay the bill for new 265/45R21 104W Dunlop SP Sport 01 rubber.
The first thing I noticed is that the FX's cargo bay's liftover height is very high by crossover SUV standards. I'd overloaded my 20-inch rollaboard carry-on, and when I tried to hoist it into the cargo bay one-handed, I missed and smacked the top of the bumper with one of the bag's wheels. I was lucky not to have caused any damage, but this single incident convinced me that this is not a crossover SUV that you buy out of any concern for practicality.
Still, I certainly do enjoy the FX50's 5.0-liter V8, rated at 390 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 369 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. The torque band is big, and between the FX's rapidfire throttle response and excellent high-speed stability, it is capable of utter domination on Interstate 5 when given free rein. Remember, this is an SUV that hits 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds at 102.9 mph. Editorial addendum: Although, if you look at the track test numbers for this particular 2009 FX50, you'll see that our long-term ran a 5.5-second 0-60 and a 13.7-second quarter at 101.5 mph.
Fortunately, it has a 23.8-gallon gas tank, so you get some decent cruising range. I hit the road with only 3/8 of a tank, though, so I pulled up for an early refuel in Grapevine, California. There I checked the oil and it registered right at the low mark on the dipstick. I surmised that the FX50 was down a half-quart of 5W30. I topped it off and the level is now fine.
You really can't see anything resembling an engine when you go to add oil, by the way -- I guess that's why Infiniti had an elaborate working model when the 5.0-liter and the 2nd-gen Infiniti FX debuted at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show. I'll have more thoughts on the Infiniti's road-trip credentials tomorrow.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 7,801 miles
sodaguy says:
05:43 PM, 03/ 2/09
Low oil at 7800 miles? Another botched service? Or is the FX50 overdue for its 7500 mile service?
roar02ram says:
05:45 PM, 03/ 2/09
Also, this may sound trivial and I know someone will chide me for saying this, but it doesn't look like that thing has a power tailgate.
Call me lazy, and perhaps this car wouldn't see much hauling, but methinks for that much money it probably should have one.
BMW4me says:
06:20 PM, 03/ 2/09
This is the hundredth time i've seen the editors do this. It is completely normal for a vehicles oil level to be low while driving. The oil is drawn from the collecting area and is circulated into the engine. So when you guys pull over for gas, get out, check the oil and say it's low, it's because the engine is hot and the oil is still up in it.
clarkma5 says:
06:29 PM, 03/ 2/09
It's 390 HP, not 330.
lime679 says:
06:49 PM, 03/ 2/09
I never let anyone put bags in my cargo area or take them out in fear that they will scratch the car.
And where did 330 horsepower come from clarkma5?
clarkma5 says:
07:18 PM, 03/ 2/09
The article said 330 HP...guess they edited it.
sodaguy says:
08:19 PM, 03/ 2/09
BMW4me: My Saturn's owners manual recommends checking the engine oil at normal operating temperature. It tells me to wait about five minutes after shutting off the engine before checking the oil, but I've found almost no difference between checking it after 30 seconds and five minutes.
cruiserhead1 says:
08:50 PM, 03/ 2/09
that engine bay looks stupid. catering to the lowest common denominator instead of showing off that excellent motor and making life easy for maint and mechanics
billt9 says:
12:35 AM, 03/ 3/09
"I'd overloaded my 20-inch rollaboard carry-on, and when I tried to hoist it into the cargo bay one-handed, I missed and smacked the top of the bumper with one of the bag's wheels. I was lucky not to have caused any damage, but this single incident convinced me that this is not a crossover SUV that you buy out of any concern for practicality."
Maybe YOU are the one who needs to get cracking on your deltoids. And pack your bags according to FAA rules.
That's right.
What if you suddenly had to catch a flight for business reasons?
The trunk is so high to be an early warning for your body. It helps remind you that it's time to get those upright rows going.
zeph says:
01:28 AM, 03/ 3/09
I find the FX a terrific rive and very pleasant for long trips, but its firm suspension really beats it out of you on bad roads. Like the 405...or 110
orangutan says:
03:18 AM, 03/ 3/09
How is it that Edmunds eats up tires and oil at such a bizarre rate?
chadwyck says:
07:30 AM, 03/ 3/09
Man I wish the world economy and the car industry in particular weren't in shambles. I'd love to see Infiniti stuff that V8 mill into some kind of 2 door touring coupe to compete with the Audi A5.
kissel1 says:
07:57 AM, 03/ 3/09
Erin, great great post! Very interesting!
Josh is talking about hauling mulch in his Mazda 6, and I asked how much manure it could hold. Let's say I wanted to take the manure out of the bag - how many cubic feet could it accomodate?
I like to garden and I figure since the Infiniti is a larger vehicle, it might suit my needs better.
So, do you think you could rip open a few dozen bags of manure, spread them around the car, and report back to me?
I'll be waiting! Thanks in advance!
lvranger says:
10:18 AM, 03/ 3/09
^^^ This made me laugh but can we go ahead and ban this guy already?
eriches says:
10:54 AM, 03/ 3/09
@BMW4me -- "This is the hundredth time i've seen the editors do this. It is completely normal for a vehicles oil level to be low while driving. The oil is drawn from the collecting area and is circulated into the engine. So when you guys pull over for gas, get out, check the oil and say it's low, it's because the engine is hot and the oil is still up in it."
Relax. I let the vehicle sit for 5-10 minutes before checking the oil.
ryster says:
04:54 AM, 03/ 8/09
Why does Infiniti design an AWD vehicle, then equip it with 21", W speed rated summer tires? People who buy this and have a real need for the AWD capability in the winter are pretty much hosed.
Who wants to buy an AWD vehicle, and then need to put on a $1200 set of winter tires on top of it? Kind of defeats the purpose. Infiniti should have gone to bid with the tire companies for a 21", W-rated all-season tire option for people living in the snowbelt and the Northeast.
Using TWO hands to put your luggage in the cargo bay would have prevented the bumper hit and probably would have been better for your back :)