2005 Infiniti FX45 Test Drive

Infinit Puts the Sport in Sport Utility Vehicle

The fastest SUV for the money -- and one that also handles like a sports car.

Should You Buy This Car?

One of the reservations we have about the FX45 is that it's not cheap. It comes fairly loaded, unless you must have a DVD navigation system with rear-view video camera for use when you shift into reverse. But $44,225 is a lot of money, especially for a vehicle without room for seven passengers.

Meanwhile. the Volvo XC90 and Acura MDX are in the same price ballpark when fully loaded, and should junior want to bring five friends to the movies, you've got room.

Another concern is fuel economy. We know this isn't generally a realm where gas mileage is a big factor in buying decisions, and with 15 mpg city/19 highway, the FX45 is superior here to a lot of its V-8-powered competitors. (Actually, the V-6 Toaureg isn't much better, with 15 mpg city/20 highway mpg.)

Nissan's own Murano is roomier and gets 20 mpg city/24 highway, and if you want that sports car-like handling, the $35,700 FX35 will offer nine-tenths of what you get with the V-8 FX45. But the less expensive Infiniti will be more forgiving on most roads (with narrower, higher sidewall tires), and its 280-hp V-6 still offers spirited performance but 16 mpg city/22 highway.

The combination of a smoother ride, an $8,000 discount and better fuel economy appeals to us a great deal and makes the FX35 a somewhat more logical buy, especially stacked against the less sporty $36,425 RX330 and $34,900 Touareg. That is, unless you want more room, in which case get the RX, or more off-road agility, where the VW really shines. But if you want to lick the Lexus or Volkswagen on pavement, get an FX.