Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Infiniti EX35 Bottom Line

September 30, 2009

By Rex Roy's avatar Rex Roy, Detroit EditorRex Roy

To bring you this comprehensive survey of the 2009 Infiniti EX35, experts at TheCarConnection.com have looked high and low for the most useful information in published reviews. Driving opinions from TheCarConnection.com editors are also included here so that you have the most information for your next car purchase.

Likes:

  • Coupe-like silhouette
  • The handling of a sport sedan
  • Front-seat comfort
  • Top-quality interior
  • Self-healing paint

Dislikes:

  • No manual gearbox
  • Cramped backseat
  • Tech options are very pricey

Buying Tips:


If you hold your horses until 2010, you’ll get even more. An upgraded EX37 has already been introduced in Europe and is on the way to the U.S. soon.

The 2009 Infiniti EX35 shares a lot with Infiniti’s G37 sport sedan and coupe, along with the outgoing Nissan 350Z sportscar, so it’s no surprise that the EX35 is a solid performer.

On the outside, the new EX has the looks to match that performance, including styling cues clearly borrowed and refined from the larger FX performance crossover. Oversized wheel wells and flared fenders in back, combined with the arching, aggressive roofline, give it the same cartoonish yet serious look that dominates in the FX. The interior of the 2009 Infiniti EX35 is handsome and sophisticated, with a techno-modern feel that's absent from similar vehicles from Lexus, for example. The EX has a cockpit-style layout, with a wide center stack that wraps down into a console, so the front seating is a bit narrow but comfortable for most. The instrument panel is downright classy, with tasteful wood and matte finishes and none of the chrome overdose that plagues some luxury vehicles.

Power in the 2009 Infiniti EX35 comes from the G35's smooth-revving 297-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and a five-speed automatic. The little crossover's suspension is buttoned down, making you feel as if you're piloting a sporty sedan instead of an SUV, and road feel actually carries through the steering—a pleasant rarity in this class of vehicle.

The genesis for the EX35 comes from a notion that traditional SUVs and crossovers are still too big for some buyers, so Infiniti keeps the size of the EX on the tidy side. As a matter of fact, its wheelbase and key interior dimensions are smaller than those of the G35 sedan, which means there's not an excess of room in the backseat—though front-seat passengers will feel coddled.

Infiniti offers an extensive set of airbags, along with stability and traction control and anti-lock brakes. The 2009 EX35 also has a host of safety-related options that may warrant more of your attention: Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, and Around View Monitoring.

Other Choices:

If you're interested in the 2009 Infiniti EX35, also consider:

Reason Why:

The EX35 is much more compact and streamlined than most other utility vehicles, and it appeals to those who want a taller sport wagon, or to SUV buyers who want something a little lower and nimbler. As with the larger FX35, the EX35’s interior is better than most in its class. The GLK and Q5 are all-new entries in this class for 2009; while the Mercedes GLK offers some measure of off-road ability, the Q5 is geared more for on-road performance. The BMW X3, the original premium compact SUV in this class, retains more ruggedness than the EX and is less exciting to drive than the EX or BMW’s cars. The Acura RDX is one of TheCarConnection.com’s favorite vehicles in this class to drive, though its ride is very firm and its turbocharged engine isn’t to everyone’s liking. The Lexus RX 350 is a larger and more comfortable option, though it’s not nearly as much fun to drive.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Infiniti EX35 is an attractive choice for driving enthusiasts seeking a more moderately sized crossover.

To bring you this comprehensive survey of the 2009 Infiniti EX35, experts at TheCarConnection.com have looked high and low for the most useful information in published reviews. Driving opinions from TheCarConnection.com editors are also included here so that you have the most information for your next car purchase. Likes:Coupe-like silhouetteThe handling of a sport sedanFront-seat comfortTop-quality interiorSelf-healing paintDislikes:No manual gearboxCramped backseatTech options are very priceyBuying Tips: If you hold your horses until 2010, you’ll get even more. An upgraded EX37 has already been introduced in Europe and is on the way to the U.S. soon. The 2009 Infiniti EX35 shares a lot with Infiniti’s G37 sport sedan and coupe, along with the outgoing Nissan 350Z sportscar, so it’s no surprise that the EX35 is a solid performer. On the outside, the new EX has the looks to match that performance, including styling cues clearly borrowed and refined from the larger FX performance crossover. Oversized wheel wells and flared fenders in back, combined with the arching, aggressive roofline, give it the same cartoonish yet serious look that dominates in the FX. The interior of the 2009 Infiniti EX35 is handsome and sophisticated, with a techno-modern feel that's absent from similar vehicles from Lexus, for example. The EX has a cockpit-style layout, with a wide center stack that wraps down into a console, so the front seating is a bit narrow but comfortable for most. The instrument panel is downright classy, with tasteful wood and matte finishes and none of the chrome overdose that plagues some luxury vehicles. Power in the 2009 Infiniti EX35 comes from the G35's smooth-revving 297-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and a five-speed automatic. The little crossover's suspension is buttoned down, making you feel as if you're piloting a sporty sedan instead of an SUV, and road feel actually carries through the steering—a pleasant rarity in this class of vehicle. The genesis for the EX35 comes from a notion that traditional SUVs and crossovers are still too big for some buyers, so Infiniti keeps the size of the EX on the tidy side. As a matter of fact, its wheelbase and key interior dimensions are smaller than those of the G35 sedan, which means there's not an excess of room in the backseat—though front-seat passengers will feel coddled. Infiniti offers an extensive set of airbags, along with stability and traction control and anti-lock brakes. The 2009 EX35 also has a host of safety-related options that may warrant more of your attention: Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, and Around View Monitoring. Other Choices:If you're interested in the 2009 Infiniti EX35, also consider:Acura RDXAudi Q5BMW X3Lexus RX 350Mercedes-Benz GLKReason Why:The EX35 is much more compact and streamlined than most other utility vehicles, and it appeals to those who want a taller sport wagon, or to SUV buyers who want something a little lower and nimbler. As with the larger FX35, the EX35’s interior is better than most in its class. The GLK and Q5 are all-new entries in this class for 2009; while the Mercedes GLK offers some measure of off-road ability, the Q5 is geared more for on-road performance. The BMW X3, the original premium compact SUV in this class, retains more ruggedness than the EX and is less exciting to drive than the EX or BMW’s cars. The Acura RDX is one of TheCarConnection.com’s favorite vehicles in this class to drive, though its ride is very firm and its turbocharged engine isn’t to everyone’s liking. The Lexus RX 350 is a larger and more comfortable option, though it’s not nearly as much fun to drive. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Infiniti EX35 is an attractive choice for driving enthusiasts seeking a more moderately sized crossover. To bring you this comprehensive survey of the 2009 Infiniti EX35, experts at TheCarConnection.com have looked high and low for the most useful information in published reviews. Driving opinions from TheCarConnection.com editors are also included here so that you have the most information for ...

Other Choices:

The EX35 is much more compact and streamlined than most other utility vehicles, and it appeals to those who want a taller sport wagon, or to SUV buyers who want something a little lower and nimbler. As with the larger FX35, the EX35’s interior is better than most in its class. The GLK and Q5 are all-new entries in this class for 2009; while the Mercedes GLK offers some measure of off-road ability, the Q5 is geared more for on-road performance. The BMW X3, the original premium compact SUV in this class, retains more ruggedness than the EX and is less exciting to drive than the EX or BMW’s cars. The Acura RDX is one of TheCarConnection.com’s favorite vehicles in this class to drive, though its ride is very firm and its turbocharged engine isn’t to everyone’s liking. The Lexus RX 350 is a larger and more comfortable option, though it’s not nearly as much fun to drive.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Infiniti EX35 from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Infiniti EX35

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Infiniti EX35

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Infiniti EX35 near you

See the Infiniti EX35 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Ed Koke #1, Posted: 10/28/2009

    Our EX35 has snow tire hum coming from the front tires, the dealer said this is caused by the front tires being out of alighment slightly causing the tires to be "feathered"
    supposedly this will go away after being re-alighned after 10-15000 K does this explanation seem reasonable?? or is this smoke & mirrors??
    Ed Koke

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy