Trying to find a luxury SUV that stands out in the crowd has become an increasingly difficult task, as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Audi, Porsche and even Lamborghini are all rolling out boxy, leather-clad crossovers. But the intense lines and daring design quirks of the Infiniti FX35 make it the kind of vehicle that turns heads, for better or for worse. 

 

The fully redesigned 2009 model finds the FX35 with a longer, more shark-like snout, wide-set headlights, metallic “gills” and a wavy front grill. The FX35 was already a standout when it rolled out in 2003, and the new designs can be very polarizing. But most great art is. It’s commendable that Infiniti chose to make an SUV that looks so unique when it could have easily turned out a soft-lined, mushy SUV like everyone else. Instead, the luxury arm of Nissan gave us a distinctive vehicle, though some might say it looks like a manta ray on wheels.

 

But even if the FX35 looks a bit like an underwater creature, it knows its way around on land. The 3.5L V-6 engine boasts an impressive 303 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, all of which are shuffled around by the FX35’s all-new seven-speed automatic transmission. The truck can hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, and even with its high center of gravity, the FX35 feels tight and responsive at high speeds, without the sway or pitch of some SUVs. 

 

The FX35 also includes Nissan’s Distance Control Assist, an electronic system that helps drivers control the distance between them and the vehicle in front. The system can measure the distance to a car ahead along with the relative speed of both cars using a radar sensor in the front bumper. If the system determines that braking is required, a light on the instrument panel will appear and a buzzer will sound. The system is designed to help drivers in heavy traffic situations, when a lot of quick braking is involved. 

 

The sophisticated styling continues inside the FX35 with a simple but elegant dash set into dark, polished wood. The hard drive-based navigation system offers real-time satellite traffic information and stores music files, which can be played back courtesy of the unrivaled Bose surround-sound audio system. The sleek design does have its drawbacks, sacrificing some of the space in the back seat and making for a pretty small cargo area.

 

The FX35 is a lot more sport than it is utility, clearly designed to navigate black asphalt instead of rugged terrain. But for most people, a luxury SUV is just a roomy sports car, and the FX35 definitely lives up to that standard with speed and class. And it manages not to be too boring while it does it.