Back with a bang - the FX is no doubt the most recognisable in the stable when Wearnes Automobile brought the Japanese luxury carmaker back onto our local shores. It seems that the re-entry of the brand to the local market is well-timed too, just as its offerings adopt bold, curvaceous styling cues (Infiniti, like many of its competitors, begin life as metal boxes on fours).
Not many have come close to the looks of the biggish SUV you see here. Unsurprisingly, the FX's creation was aimed initially at the American audience. Since its debut, it has been dubbed as one of the most iconic offerings bearing the Infiniti badge - securing its place in the history books of the carmaker.
Exterior
Up close, the FX resembles more of a 'muscle SUV', with raucous taunts of its sweeping curves on its front bonnet. Inevitably inviting stares, it commands a distinguished presence on the road - immense just like the Rangies, albeit in a more serpentine form.
The bulbous front-end will leave many in awe of its sheer size
Not many have come close to the looks of the biggish SUV you see here. Unsurprisingly, the FX's creation was aimed initially at the American audience. Since its debut, it has been dubbed as one of the most iconic offerings bearing the Infiniti badge - securing its place in the history books of the carmaker.
Exterior
Up close, the FX resembles more of a 'muscle SUV', with raucous taunts of its sweeping curves on its front bonnet. Inevitably inviting stares, it commands a distinguished presence on the road - immense just like the Rangies, albeit in a more serpentine form.
The bulbous front-end will leave many in awe of its sheer size  |
On the road, the FX family feels almost out-of-place with its colossal proportions. At almost 5 metres long and 2 metres wide, it would instantly stand out in any carparks - dwarfing even the average crossovers.
Relinquishing on its loud front fascia, the rear end receives a slightly reserved treatment, looking more rooted and squat. The larger-than-life twin tailpipes, however, serves as a reminder of the hidden potential under the front bulge.
Despite being one-size smaller than those found on the range-topping FX50, the 20-inchers found on our test car are nothing you will call diminutive.
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Interior
On the inside, the FX feels plush and well-equipped. Design and layout is a slight departure from the usual sights. Taking centre-stage is an 8-inch touch-screen display, encased for ease of reading. A panel of buttons and switches form a 'keyboard' layout relative to the display, which makes operation fuss-free, but somewhat less ergonomic with the straight-through positioning.
For the control freak in you - a multitude of buttons on the steering wheel
On the inside, the FX feels plush and well-equipped. Design and layout is a slight departure from the usual sights. Taking centre-stage is an 8-inch touch-screen display, encased for ease of reading. A panel of buttons and switches form a 'keyboard' layout relative to the display, which makes operation fuss-free, but somewhat less ergonomic with the straight-through positioning.
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A chromed analogue timepiece is tastefully added to the centre console. But like others found in luxurious offerings, it serves more as a status symbolisation than real functionality.
Where one would expect to find room aplenty in a car of this size, the slopping roofline takes a toll on the headroom in the rear quarters while the thickly-bolstered door trims makes it a tad hard for ingress/egress, especially in tight parking spaces.
That said, the FX will seat three full-sized adults abreast with ease. Once inside too, occupants will also be pleased with the comfort, with the feeling of being cocooned in the plush leather cushions all-round.
Where one would expect to find room aplenty in a car of this size, the slopping roofline takes a toll on the headroom in the rear quarters while the thickly-bolstered door trims makes it a tad hard for ingress/egress, especially in tight parking spaces.
That said, the FX will seat three full-sized adults abreast with ease. Once inside too, occupants will also be pleased with the comfort, with the feeling of being cocooned in the plush leather cushions all-round.
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The Drive
Despite being down on capacity from its FX50 elder brother, the FX37 feels no less nippy. When worked, the V6 delivers wholesome grunt, with a tune of sonorous growl - nothing like the V8 but still feels the bit. The seven-speed automatic offers a good range of ratios with smooth cog shifts, working in unison with the eager powerplant to give the FX37 competent propulsion at any given situation.
In line with Infiniti's motive of creating luxurious cars that boosts strong performance, the suspension has been tweaked more towards the sporty end. As such, the FX37 feels planted on the move, even when negotiating bends at highway speeds. This does trade-off a substantial bit of cruising enjoyment, with imperfections on the road reflected in the cabin movements.
Tipping the scales at just over 2-tonne, the FX37 has looks that amplifies its size. This in turn translates into a grand cruising experience that is less intimidated by the earth-tippers and 14-wheelers.
Around-view monitor offers bird's eye view of surroundings
Despite being down on capacity from its FX50 elder brother, the FX37 feels no less nippy. When worked, the V6 delivers wholesome grunt, with a tune of sonorous growl - nothing like the V8 but still feels the bit. The seven-speed automatic offers a good range of ratios with smooth cog shifts, working in unison with the eager powerplant to give the FX37 competent propulsion at any given situation.
In line with Infiniti's motive of creating luxurious cars that boosts strong performance, the suspension has been tweaked more towards the sporty end. As such, the FX37 feels planted on the move, even when negotiating bends at highway speeds. This does trade-off a substantial bit of cruising enjoyment, with imperfections on the road reflected in the cabin movements.
Tipping the scales at just over 2-tonne, the FX37 has looks that amplifies its size. This in turn translates into a grand cruising experience that is less intimidated by the earth-tippers and 14-wheelers.
Around-view monitor offers bird's eye view of surroundings Mindful of the awkward situations one may get in with a car of such capacious dimensions, Infiniti has packed a variety of driver aids into the FX. Even in the entry '37' variant, the FX comes standard with lane departure warning and lane assistance, as well as an all-round monitoring depicted by four individual cameras. The cameras can also be activated with the touch of a button which comes to great use in tight cornering spaces and parking lots.
Conclusion
With the FX50 commanding a higher premium and a much higher road tax, making it prohibitively expensive to own, the FX37 seems like a good compromise between costs and performance.
While the immense road presence is a priceless entity, it takes a load more attention when piloting the SUV around town, even on highways - with the local driving habits which are less lane-adhering.
Trading off a tad of everyday usability with stylish grand entry bursting from the seams - your call.
Conclusion
With the FX50 commanding a higher premium and a much higher road tax, making it prohibitively expensive to own, the FX37 seems like a good compromise between costs and performance.
While the immense road presence is a priceless entity, it takes a load more attention when piloting the SUV around town, even on highways - with the local driving habits which are less lane-adhering.
Trading off a tad of everyday usability with stylish grand entry bursting from the seams - your call.
