Instrumented Test
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Last year, a face lift. This year, a new engine. And next year, a name change.
Infiniti’s sporty FX crossover has had a busy two years, receiving a face lift for 2012 before swapping its base 3.5-liter V-6 engine for a 3.7-liter for 2013. Besides adding more power, the new V-6 brings a displacement-driven name swap from FX35 to FX37. Even more flux is on the horizon, thanks to Infiniti’s recently announced lineup-wide naming overhaul. Next year the FX37 becomes the QX70; confusingly, the same badge will be applied to the V-8–powered FX50, and the moniker change isn’t expected to coincide with a redesign or update. To those reading this review of the FX37 in 2014, simply replace any mention of FX37 with QX70.
VQ Doesn’t Stand for Very Quiet
As does the 3.5-liter it replaces, the FX37’s 3.7-liter V-6 belongs to Nissan’s VQ engine family. Variations of the same engine long have powered Nissan’s 370Z and Infiniti’s G37 and M37, and it is being added to the smaller EX crossover’s engine roster this year, too. The good news is the powerplant’s power. In the FX37, it makes 325 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque without turbos. The bad news is it’s coarse and unrefined. Push hard, and a faint vibration occurs in the shifter, steering wheel, and pedals. The engine’s unique baritone wail mostly sounds good, but it’s better from outside the car—inside, it can sound slightly thrashy.
Unfortunately, to really hustle the FX37, you’ll be spending plenty of time at or near the six-cylinder’s 7500-rpm redline, where the sound is especially unpleasing. The 3.7-liter doesn’t make its maximum rated 325 horsepower until 7000 rpm, while all 267 lb-ft of torque aren’t available until an also-lofty 5200 rpm. All things being nearly equal—our FX37 was a negligible 67 pounds heavier than the last FX35 we tested, a 2009 all-wheel-drive model, and the engine spins through the same seven-speed automatic transmission—you’d expect the FX37 to outperform the FX35. Instead, it ties the old model.
The FX37 hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, 100 mph in 16 seconds, and reached a top speed of 142 mph, figures identical to those we recorded for the 2009 FX35. This likely can be attributed to the 3.7-liter’s 22 additional horsepower and 5 more lb-ft of torque arriving 200 and 400 rpm later than in the 3.5-liter, dulling their usefulness off the line. The FX37’s only advantage is in the quarter-mile drag and in reaching 120 mph, both trials that it completes a tenth of a second quicker. Besides returning an unremarkable 16 mpg under our supervision—a 2-mpg improvement over its 2009 predecessor—the engine offers no discernable difference in performance. (According to the EPA, the FX37 rates 1 mpg better on the highway than the FX35.) The rest of the driving experience also is unchanged, meaning you get nice handling at the expense of a firm and borderline harsh ride, plus numb steering. A March snow prevented us from quantifying the 2013 FX37 AWD model’s roadholding ability, but we suspect 265/50-20 rubber would at least match if not surpass the 0.82 g of lateral grip managed by our last test car’s which wore skinnier 265/60-18 tires.
Luxury Crossover, Same as Always
Buyers will see a discernable $1295 price increase over the 2012 FX35, regardless of the number of driven wheels. (Infiniti also offers buyers a lower-priced rear-drive model, although only with the V-6.) Our FX37 came fully loaded with three option packages that bumped its price from $47,395 to a reasonable (given the equipment) $57,945. The Technology bundle ($2950) includes adaptive cruise, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive headlights, plus some nanny items such as lane-departure warning, and forward collision warning. The Deluxe Touring pack ($3300) brings 20-inch wheels, attractive quilted leather upholstery, maple wood interior trim, and heated and cooled front seats, while the Premium package ($4300) adds navigation, an eight-inch touch-screen display, the very necessary Around View monitor with parking sensors, and electric steering-column adjustment.
The FX37 still offers uncommon style and athleticism for its segment, although some might consider its rakish looks to be one-upped by BMW’s X6. With this style comes a tight cabin, but Infiniti has evolved and now has the more family-oriented end of the luxury crossover segment covered with the larger JX35, er, QX60. We just hope Nissan/Infiniti plans to improve its six-cylinder engine by the time the FX’s replacement arrives, given that next time around it might be the only engine option as the company is giving up on V-8s.
Specifications
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED: $57,945 (base price: $47,395)
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 226 cu in, 3696 cc
Power: 325 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 267 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 113.6 in
Length: 191.3 in
Width: 75.9 in Height: 65.0 in
Curb weight: 4391 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 16.0 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 36.5 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.6 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.5 sec @ 96 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 142 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 169 ft
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 16/22 mpg
C/D observed: 16 mpg
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