2011 Infiniti EX35

Infiniti EX35

The Infiniti EX35 luxury midsize crossover. A seven-speed automatic replaces a five-speed as the lone transmission offered in the Infiniti EX35, and Infiniti's blind spot warning system has been added to the Technology Package.

Just that situation arose soon after taking the wheel of today's test car, a 2011 Infiniti EX35 Journey. Our test version was the more upscale Journey with all-wheel-drive. The package also contains adaptive cruise control and the related distance control assist, intelligent brake assist and forward collision warning.

With rear-wheel-drive and a more wagon-like profile, the Infiniti EX35 isn’t your average people and cargo hauler. if Goldilocks drove, she might consider it just right. North America sees the EX in 3.5-liter trim (hence EX35), but Europe and Japan get a zippier EX37 with Infiniti’s larger V6, while China gets an EX25 with Infinit’s smaller V6.
For the 2011 model year, the Infiniti EX35 finds itself grille to grille with some of the brightest in the business.

Then there are the other techno-fab pieces like the Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Departure Prevention systems, Full-speed Intelligent Cruise Control, Distance Control Assist, and finally the Blind Spot Warning system.

When you compare the EX with big brother FX, you get the impression that the EX came out on top when the genetics were being sorted out. With our Infiniti and its rear-wheel-drive setup (all-wheel-drive is optional), we didn’t even make an attempt at some of the rough terrain that is South Florida.

The overall look is finished off nicely with 19-inch split-spoke wheels mounted with Bridgestone Potenza sport tires. Infiniti has managed to avoid going to the spinning control dial as seen in Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and, yes, Hyundai vehicles. Large, living room chair-style front seats kept us firmly tucked in during our tracking through twisties. Following Infiniti’s (and Nissan’s) economy of scale, the EX shares underpinnings with its sistership, the G sedan. From a handling standpoint, the EX is equipped with a subframe mounted double-wishbone setup that has high-performance dual-pass shock absorbers with a 26mm stabilizer bar in front. A speed-determined variable-power assist handles steering.
The EX was quite the performer throughout our week of constant cruising. Once again, the thought Infiniti G wagon came to mind.

Infiniti’s entry-luxury EX35 crossover is the perfect vehicle for urban-dwellers that either don’t have the space, or are not ready for the larger CUVs and SUVs currently on the market.
Infiniti EX35 Journey RWD base price, $36,350. As tested, $45,205.
Roof rails, $250; Technology Package, $2,700; Deluxe Touring Package, $2,300; Illuminated kick plates, $280; Premium Package, $2,450; Destination, $875