Subtle is not a word I would usually use to describe the 2009 Infiniti FX50. But despite its bulky design with prominent nose and big V8 engine, there is one element of the FX50 that is subtle: the seat heaters. You get three levels of subtle, subtler and hint of warmth. Even the dial that controls the function is small and understated.
Now, you know how we love our seat heaters at IL. Personally, I use them all of the time, even in the summer. So, here are the good things about the seat heaters in the 2009 Infiniti FX50. They work instantly without a long warm-up period. The heat is distributed up the backrest and not just on the seat bottom. I love that. They stay on unlike some other vehicles that slowly decrease the heat until they turn themselves off. The dial stays in the "on" position so next time you get in the car, they are already on.
I just wish they were hotter.
Anyone have an Infiniti FX out there? What do you think of the seat heaters?
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
mannyman1 says:
02:41 PM, 01/27/10
im pretty sure the lack of maximum heat is a common nissan/infiniti complaint.
the seat heaters in my 08 g35 are controlled with a rocker switch like the one for snow mode in the fx50 pic.
middle is off, down on one end is low and down on the other end is high.
they get warm quick and evenly but even on high arent really that hot :(
i like the move towards turn knobs for stuff like this though,
thought it was damn cool when i sat in a friends new GTI and the sunroof was controlled by a turning knob, turn it one way to close, the other to open it fully and you can set it anywhere in between.
smart design.
dcbuckeye says:
03:49 PM, 01/27/10
My GTI has 5 settings for the seat heaters (a little overkill in opinion), the operate with a rolling switch. It gets scorching hot on level 5.
I would love to have those seat coolers though in the FX.
zeph says:
05:43 PM, 01/27/10
Our 2005 FX35 seats are heated as well, and we like them a lot. But I wouldn't know how they compare to others.
cah11705 says:
05:44 PM, 01/27/10
I think my g35 seat heater is plenty warm, just slow. But once it is, i throw it into the low setting and keep it toasty.
And I was totally expecting a post about the not so button in the middle
athens says:
09:27 PM, 01/27/10
You need seat heaters in Southern California?
Talk about spoiled rotten.
How would you manage here in Chicago where for the next 3 days we will wake up to single digit temps?
We'd instantly recognize the Edmunds team as the ones' with the roaring bonfire alit inside the car.
dubaizen says:
09:56 PM, 01/27/10
I dont care much about the seat heater, but I do wish that the seat cooler was stronger to cope with the desert heat here in dubai.
also, i find all those switches (suspension/seat heater/snow) very cheap. I know the FXs sold in Europe have a different knob for the seat heaters, they basically come with a fancy looking chrome ring around it. In fact the thing that I dislike the most about my FX is the cheap plasticy sound the Sport button makes when you turn it on/off. Almost makes you feel as if you are sitting inside an American car.
wizard8873 says:
05:42 AM, 01/28/10
I have the same on the M45 and wish they were stronger but they work well in cold weather. It was a whole 8 degrees this morning but after a few minutes the seat turned from ice cold to nice and warm. The coolers could work better in the summer. They are enough to cool the seats down and keep them comfortable but after some time they don't feel like they're working unless you move around.
To get the seats really warm or cold these are not enough. After having the car for a year, i've found they're more to make them comfortable during extremes in both cases.
roadburner says:
06:49 AM, 01/28/10
"the lack of maximum heat is a common nissan/infiniti complaint."
Yep. The seat heaters in my 1993 Pathfinder SE were really inadequate. You'd think that Nissan would be able to solve the puzzle after 17 years.
exnevadan says:
09:40 AM, 01/28/10
just moved from a '98 A4Q (six settings/dial actuated) to an '07 G35s (two settings/rocker actuated)
three highest settings in the A4 would set you ablaze, but high setting on G35 is rather tepid
tomorrow AM it will be 5F in our area (MA), a good test for the heater
throwback says:
12:25 PM, 01/28/10
My 2002 Saab 9-5 has a dial, also small and subtle with 3 settings. The seat gets hot enough for me. The backbench also has a heater, nice when you have sleeping kids.