2006 Infiniti FX35 Model Update

Expressive FX

Infiniti's sporty FX35 makes other luxury SUVs seem boxy and clumsy.

A new grille, bumper and wheel designs are part of this year’s makeover for the Infiniti FX35, a midsize SUV that is sleeker and more nimble than its larger luxury competitors.

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Drivers will find the inside better appointed (with leather upholstery now included) and more attuned to their comfort with an adjustable steering wheel and newly standard heated front seats. The center console is also new and the dashboard gauges have been updated.

The vehicle’s already impressive handling benefits from revised tuning for its four-wheel independent suspension that includes new shock-absorber dampers. The FX35 also rides on redesigned 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

Added exterior colors include Liquid Platinum, Serengeti Sand and Autumn Copper.

The update for 2006 makes many tech-oriented features standard, including an impressive stereo, smart airbags and a RearView backup system. The 300-watt Bose audio system includes an in-dash CD changer and MP3-file playback. The advanced airbags deploy at different rates according to the size and weight of the front passenger.

The RearView feature not only helps prevent a motorist from inadvertently backing into objects or people, it also makes parallel parking easier. When the vehicle’s transmission is shifted into reverse, a video image recorded by a back-bumper-mounted camera is displayed on a seven-inch color screen in the dashboard.

The steering wheel telescopes and tilts to suit the driver, and individual controls are included for both of the heated front seats (10-way on the driver’s side with memory settings, and eight-way for the passenger).

Available in either rear- or all-wheel-drive versions, the FX35 rides on a modified version of parent company Nissan’s FM (Front Midship) chassis, which places the engine directly behind the front axle to afford what is nearly an ideal 50/50 percent front-to-rear weight ratio. This helps contribute to sporty handling characteristics that surpass virtually all truck-based SUVs in terms of maneuverability.

The vehicle is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, which uses an electronic drive-by-wire throttle control to generate a strong 280 hp. The only gearbox offered is a smooth-shifting, five-speed automatic that includes both manual-shift capability and a Snow-Mode function for enhanced traction at low speeds on slippery roads.

Those looking for V8 power can upgrade to the FX45, which only comes with AWD.

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The available AWD system automatically transfers optimum power to all four wheels according to changing road and driving conditions. Because the AWD system lacks low-range gearing, however, the FX is not suited for serious off-roading.

Standard chassis-control systems include four-wheel disc antilock brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution for secure stopping abilities. Vehicle Dynamic Control helps prevent a loss of control during extreme handling maneuvers by intervening with brake pressure and throttle control if the system detects wheel slippage. Front, front-side and side-curtain airbags with rollover protection for both rows of seats are also standard.

As befits its status as a luxury SUV, the FX35 comes well equipped and offers an array of high-tech options. The most noteworthy among these include an Intelligent Key keyless entry/start system and intelligent laser-guided cruise control.

The cruise control includes a preview braking feature that identifies emergency braking situations by sensing the distance from the vehicle ahead in the same lane and its relative speed. The system pre-pressurizes the Brake Assist function, even before the driver is able to depress the brake pedal.

An available lane-departure warning system looks for highway lane markings and generates an audible signal if it determines the vehicle is about to inadvertently cross them.

The FX35 debuted in 2003 along with its more powerful FX45 sibling. Its eye-catching styling, lower ride height and car-like demeanor appealed to buyers who otherwise eschewed traditional upscale SUVs for being too big, boxy and unwieldy. Its success has prompted other automakers to introduce equally expressive models of their own, like the Subaru B9 Tribeca.