2008 Infiniti EX35

Infiniti's newest entry is a segment buster, filling a need between mid-size sedans and mid-size utilities

by Rex Roy

Many seasoned car guys from Detroit wince at the concept of derivatives - and we're not even talking about stocks or algebra. Derivatives are new models spun from existing mechanicals, and sometimes car companies can try to stretch their models way too far, in way too many directions, all to the end of saving money. Derivatives almost bankrupted GM during the reign of Roger Smith; think Cavalier and Sunfire, Skylark and Cutlass, Aztek and Rendezvous.

But take note that good vehicles can spring from the same platform. The new Infiniti EX35 is one strong example.

Infiniti's solid G35 sedan and G37 coupe provide the underpinnings for the new EX. If you're familiar with Infiniti's G twins, then you know much of what's important about the EX35. These vehicles all share the commendable FM architecture along with the Nissan 350Z. TheCarConnection.com readers will note that these cars aren't bricks. The FM platform offers front-engine placement with rear- or all-wheel-drive drivetrains. The EX offers them both.

Infiniti views their newest entry as something of a segment buster...something new and unique that fills a need between mid-size sedans and mid-size utilities (including both crossovers and traditional SUVs).

Tiny in back

Compared to the G35/G37, the EX35 rides on a shorter wheelbase (112.2 inches vs. 110.2 inches). As you'd expect from a crossover, the roofline on the EX is taller, reaching up to about 62 inches compared to 57 inches for the G sedan. That's barely five feet for you math whizzes, a measurement that's a full foot shorter than a potential competitor, the BMW X3. All of this discussion about longer/shorter/taller is to convey what the accompanying photos cannot - the EX35 is smaller than it looks when you see it on the street.

Just as it's currently popular to apply a coupe's roofline to sedans, Infiniti has done it with a small SUV. The resulting shape is a compact, solid unit with lines flowing naturally from any angle. Infiniti is a rarity among Asian manufacturers, as their studios understand how to execute pleasing forms.

Infiniti covers this new shape in a paint they describe as self-healing. The manufacturer provided samples of painted sheetmetal that show how their new Scratch Shield paint resists the dulling that happens to typical paint finishes. The clearcoat, when scuffed or scratched under normal use, actually reseals itself, leaving a smoother, deeper, shinier finish. If the paint works as advertised, the EX35 should continue to have rich looking finishes for years.

Inside, the flowing lines continue, and it's tough to find a hard, 90-degree corner anywhere. The console and center stack are seamlessly integrated, and the arching binnacle houses gauges with easy to read gauges. The readouts reverse out of black. As one would expect on an Infiniti, an integrated navigation system is available, as well as a back-up camera system. Infiniti expanded the capabilities of its video system by adding cameras to the exterior mirror housings, and up front (under the Infiniti grill badge). With some microprocessing magic, the optional nav's LCD screen displays a virtual 360-degree bird's eye view of the EX35 during low-speed maneuvering. It's called "Around View Monitoring." While one can see the need for such a system on a full-size SUV or truck, why it's needed on such a compact vehicle is a mystery to this writer. Look for the technology to spread to larger Infiniti models in the near future.

Because of the roofline, the EX provides very good ingress and egress, especially for the front seats. Behind the hand-stitched leather steering wheel, the driving position is comfortable. Especially in the lighter interior colors, the front compartment feels roomy. There's plenty of glass area, and the hood slopes away nicely. However, those missing two inches of wheelbase pinch those riding in back. A quick dimension comparison shows that the EX35's rear legroom is a scant 28.5 inches, while the G35 sedan provides 34.7 inches. Even the G37 coupe offers an inch more room.