Wow. That review makes me feel very good about my beater Suburban, which offers all of the road noise and questionable ergonomics at a lower price. I'd have expected something G37 based to be more comfortable.
Better than: Infiniti FX35
But not as good as: Porsche Cayenne
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 43.79
The 2010 Infiniti FX50 is nearly identical to the 2009 model, from the 390-horsepower V8 to the giant, 21-inch wheels. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the 2009 and 2010 models unless you're connecting to the Bluetooth-capable DVD entertainment system that's new for this year. Everything else remains unchanged.
The FX50 is not an inexpensive proposition, as similar money could bring home a Porsche Cayenne or a BMW X6. The Infiniti seems perfectly capable of hanging in that company in terms of specifications and features, but it may not offer the badge appeal of the European machines.
Infiniti took a unique styling direction when they penned the shape of the FX50 and its kid sister, the FX35. The liquid curves are divisive: The line between "love it" and "hate it" is a fine one.
I hated this thing so much, I actually decided that it might be vehicles like this that are causing the whole concept of road rage in SUV drivers, not the drivers themselves. For $65,000 of your hard-earned American dollars you get somewhat cramped seating for four to five people, you get a whole new level (and I mean high level) of road noise, you get a needlessly overpowered 5.0 liter engine. You get tramlining on the highway from the 20" wheels and needlessly oversized tires. You also get the ride quality of a 63 4x4 Ford pickup and even cup holders that wont even hold a coffee mug. Ergonomically, you get a radio that took the better part of a week to figure out how to use, the technology package which is difficult to shut off and dings repeatedly every time you get near the lines in the road. Yes, this is the vehicle that created road rage. As my car was in the shop, I was forced to endure this torture for nearly a week and this is one of the worst vehicles we have had. Usually I get to say something nice about nearly every car we drive. This one is also not good looking and got marginal fuel economy to boot.
If you are in the market for this type of vehicle, buy a Honda Ridgeline and a Ford Flex and take your wife on a weekend trip in each with the money you will have left over.
The FX50 feels like a miss to me. I didn't find the ride as objectionable as Tim, but I can't think of anything this car does better than the G37 that it's based on. If I were shopping for a $50k-plus SUV, I can think of dozens of others I'd choose before the FX50. The "rolling uterus" styling doesn't help, either.
Maybe the Grand Cherokee SRT-8 makes sense after all.
Wow. That review makes me feel very good about my beater Suburban, which offers all of the road noise and questionable ergonomics at a lower price. I'd have expected something G37 based to be more comfortable.
I've hated the FX since it was first introduced. Not since the 1974 Lincoln Mk IV has there been an uglier, more functionally useless, heavier, over-priced, and under-performing mountain of crap.
I haven't driven the current FX, but I drove an original FX45 when it came out and I actually really enjoyed that. Granted, it cost a lot less back then, didn't have all the latest tech that apparently is annoying the author, I'm pretty sure it had 18 inch wheels and narrower, taller tires, and I'm pretty sure it weighed a good bit less than the 4528 (!) pounds listed here, although I doubt it was more than 500 lbs less. I thought it handled very well for a car that size, but then my reference was a 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser.
The 2010 Infiniti FX50 is nearly identical to the 2009 model, from the 390-horsepower V8 to the giant, 21-inch wheels. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the 2009 and 2010 models unless you're connecting to the Bluetooth-capable DVD entertainment system that's new for this year. Everything else remains unchanged.
The FX50 is not an inexpensive proposition, as similar money could bring home a Porsche Cayenne or a BMW X6. The Infiniti seems perfectly capable of hanging in that company in terms of specifications and features, but it may not offer the badge appeal of the European machines.
Infiniti took a unique styling direction when they penned the shape of the FX50 and its kid sister, the FX35. The liquid curves are divisive: The line between "love it" and "hate it" is a fine one.
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