Infiniti took the wraps off its all-new JX35 seven-passenger, three-row sport-ute about an hour ago at the L.A. auto show. And here you thought the days of large SUVs were behind us. According to Infiniti veep Andy Palmer, the luxury crossover segment is actually the fastest-growing one in the U.S.
Overheard on the show floor immediately following the press conference: "This is Infiniti's minivan."
Like many crossovers the JX35 is really more of a wagon than it is an SUV (or a minivan), but that's neither here nor there. Three-row, four-door things like the JX35 still have their place, and this one has some smart touches like a flat load floor and packaging that's said to provide more legroom in the 2nd and 3rd rows than a Cadillac Escalade. Overall, the JX35 is far, far better-looking than the awkward QX56 and is sized more sensibly besides.
Predictably, the JX35 carries the corporate 3.5-liter VQ V6 generating 265 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. Unpredictably, it's equipped with a CVT -- the first Infiniti to be so. In our experience, Nissan's pairing of the CVT with the VQ is the best implementation of a CVT to date, so that bodes well for the JX35.
It'll start at $40,450 for the FWD variant (add $1,100 for AWD) when it launches next spring. Want to build one on their configurator site? Well, go ahead.
--Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor
htr_hardtech says:
01:02 PM, 11/16/11
I dont know, its close to a minivan. Maybe we need a new term... sport van (sv) or sport mini van (SMV). The explorer can go with it.
cjasis says:
01:26 PM, 11/16/11
If the doors don't slide, it aint a van.
b_boy_007 says:
01:54 PM, 11/16/11
I couldn't beleive it when Infiniti first unveiled this "minivan" at Pebble Beach. Some gaul, Infiniti has.
michael_s says:
05:58 AM, 11/17/11
The link to the Infiniti configurator is broken. I can find the Infiniti USA website myself, it's not a huge problem, but some visitors may be confused.
I'd say it's not bad, but it's not great either. The price is surprisingly competitive - I bet if you optioned a Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chevy Traverse, or Ford Flex with the same features (as much as possible) the price would be really close to the base price of the JX.
ari_m says:
09:25 AM, 11/17/11
How does the interior space of this car compare to the GM Lambda siblings (Traverse, Enclave, Acadia)? Thoughts?
cr_driver says:
11:59 AM, 11/17/11
At least it`s cheap!
But I don`t really like Infiniti`s exterior design theme on this model.
No way.