This past weekend our long-term Infiniti FX50 and I spent 800 miles together. Most of it (600+ miles) was highway running from Santa Monica up to Monterey and back. The rest was city driving in and around the Carmel Valley and Monterey Peninsula, including several trips to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Spend that much time in a car you're bound to learn a few things about the machine. I learned 7 things about the FX50. And here they are.
1) Its seat is extremely comfortable on a long run. After the late night 300+ mile run up to Monterey I emerged from the FX without a single ache. And I hadn't spend a single second of the ride trying to get comfortable.
2) The FX has range. It'll go more than 400 miles on the highway on a single tank. Nice.
3) It feels great at 130 mph and still has some speed left in it. (I learned this thanks to a professional driver who experienced the truck's speed on a closed course.)
4) Its navigation system is one of the best. It's extremely easy to program, its screen is large and well detailed and it never gave us a bum direction all weekend.
5) Its steering is near perfect with just the right weight, ratio and feedback.
6) It's quiet on the highway, which is another reason why you can drive the thing over 300 miles with zero fatigue.
7) The last thing I learned about the FX is that I'm a fan. This is a great vehicle. One I should have appreciated sooner.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 19,791 miles
adantium says:
01:07 PM, 08/18/09
I'm wondering if you take back your earlier comments about the seat being too tall?
clarkma5 says:
01:36 PM, 08/18/09
I only ever see the FX35, it would've been a bit more telling to have tested that.
banditone says:
01:42 PM, 08/18/09
adantium,
As comfortable as I found the FX during the trip, I would still like the truck's driver's seat to adjust an inch or two lower. Not much, just an inch or two.
It's no longer a deal breaker for me, as I was obviously happy with the vehicle, but Infiniti should build more height adjustability into the seat so a larger range of driver's can find that sweet spot.
At the same time, I think I've realized that I would be just as happy if Infiniti allowed for more steering wheel tilt adjustment. Basically, I would want the seat lower or the steering wheel higher. But again, just an inch or so. As it is now I somtimes feel like I'm reaching down to the steering wheel instead of out to it.
Make sense?
Thanks for the question.
Scott Oldham
aurakr says:
01:50 PM, 08/18/09
absolutely loved comment #3
You get the blog of the day!!!!
mrryte says:
01:51 PM, 08/18/09
2) The FX has range. It'll go more than 400 miles on the highway on a single tank. Nice.
Out of curiosity; What was your average fuel ecomony and avg speed for the trip?
6) It's quiet on the highway, which is another reason why you can drive the thing over 300 miles with zero fatigue.
Even with the 21" rims and tires?
adantium says:
02:37 PM, 08/18/09
Hey Scott,
Yes it makes total sense what you say and I agree it could use more adjustment. I just thought infiniti is now making some of the most comfortable seats out there. I'm happy to see Infiniti impressed you so much with their product overall. I think those folks are trying really hard.
carfreak8394 says:
02:52 PM, 08/18/09
As adantium said, I too am happy that you are impressed with the FX50. A lot of people have said that this is a pointless car, but if people buy it and people like it, who cares? Thanks for your impressions, Scott.
drewsrx says:
08:00 PM, 08/18/09
A sports car in stilts, what's not to like...
zeph says:
03:20 AM, 08/19/09
I never understood why my girlfriend bought her 2005 FX35, until I drove it. Now I can't bear to part with it. It really is THAT good, a little more than the sum of its parts, if you will.
zeph says:
03:22 AM, 08/19/09
I could not understand why my girlfriend bought her 2005 FX35, until I drove it. Now I can't bear to part with it, it is THAT good. A little more than the sum of its parts, if you will.
jayrandall says:
07:03 PM, 08/19/09
For what it's worth, I have 2,400 miles on my '09 FX35 with 20" wheels, and I absolutely love the car. For me, the FX is about style and speed for two people. It's a cool ride!