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2012 Infiniti FX35 Limited Edition (photos)

Infiniti's new FX35 is a good-looking car, and includes a lot of tech, from advanced driver assistance systems to navigation to a good quantity of audio sources. Fuel economy is mediocre.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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Infiniti's FX model was a crossover before that segment was invented. With an independent suspension, the FX has SUV bulk, along with typical seating for five plus cargo. This 2012 model is the FX35, and as such it comes with a V-6 engine, rather than the V-8 of the F50.

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For 2012, Infiniti made some style changes, but kept its design language intact. As with other Infiniti models, the fenders rise over the hood level, while the grille is bordered by metal all around. Infiniti marked the front fenders with vents on the sides for extra swagger.

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The 3.5-liter V-6 used for the FX35 has been knocking around Nissan/Infiniti for some time, and is due for an update. In the FX35, it makes 303 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is mediocre, at 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.

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The FX35 seats five easily, but cargo room is somewhat compromised by the curved roofline. This Limited Edition trim is painted in Iridium Blue.

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As part of the Limited Edition trim, 21-inch graphite-finish wheels come standard. The vent accent on the fender is a new touch for the FX35.

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Infiniti uses a conventional, fixed suspension for the FX35, tuned for rigidity and a firm ride. This model also has all-wheel drive.

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The cargo area is somewhat small, and would not easily hold luggage for an extended road trip for four people.

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Infiniti maintains its premium reputation in the passenger compartment, with power-adjustable leather seats and soft-touch surfaces.

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Switches on the steering-wheel spokes control cruise, audio, and voice command.

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The black background gauges have a good look to them, but Infiniti should extend the instrument cluster display's capabilities to more than just showing trip and fuel economy information.

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A seven-speed automatic transmission is new for the FX35. Its Sport mode is aggressive, and it offers manual gear selection.

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Heated seats are a nice addition in the FX35, and a snow mode for the all-wheel-drive system suggests this car can handle regions with cold winters.

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Infiniti's cabin tech suite is very good, but not cutting-edge. Maps show in 2D and 3D views, the latter with rendered buildings.

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The navigation system uses traffic data when calculating routes.

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A weather forecast is a useful feature of the infotainment system.

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This screen shows detailed information about the navigation system's satellite fix, which is useful for diagnosing problems with navigation.

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The phone system includes contacts downloaded from a paired phone, along with a separate, in-vehicle phone book.

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The FX35 has satellite radio as part of this infotainment package. This current-track screen also shows graphics for the current channel.

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The iPod interface shows this music library screen, with categories for album, artist, and genre.

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When playing music from a USB drive, the system organizes music by folder, rather than the more detailed album, artist, and genre of the iPod interface.

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The surround-view camera system is very impressive in the FX35. Here, it is showing the front view, plus a top-down view.

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The top view can also be switched to a side view, making it easy to see the distance to a curb or wall.

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Putting the FX35 into reverse will bring up the rearview camera, which also shows trajectory, based on how the wheels are turned, and distance.

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