Joined
·
199 Posts
Video: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/2013-infiniti-jx-first-drive-review/
Engine: 3.5L V6
Power: 265 HP / 248 LB-FT
Transmission: CVT
0-60 Time: 8.0 (est.)
Drivetrain: Front- or AWD
Curb Weight: 4,419 LBS
Seating: 2+3+2
MPG: 18 City / 23 HWY
MSRP: $51,350 (as tested)
Consumers looking for a sports coupe, sports sedan, sporty five-passenger crossover, luxury five-passenger crossover, trailer-capable SUV, sporty convertible or hybrid luxury sedan have been able to drive out of Infiniti showrooms very satisfied. The automaker offers a well-curated family of vehicles for each of these genres, without question.
However, affluent families seeking an import luxury seven-passenger crossover – without a traditional truck lineage – have been forced to shop elsewhere. Many of Infiniti's missed opportunities end up holding keys to an Acura MDX, Audi Q7 or Volvo XC90. Aiming to close a gaping leak in its product range, Infiniti officially introduced the world to its all-new JX crossover at the Los Angeles Auto Show just a few months ago.
The new arrival has been engineered to "excel in the areas that luxury crossover buyers desire most – interior flexibility and roominess, safety, and advanced hospitality features," says Infiniti. But to us, some of those qualities seem to stray from the company's 'Inspired Performance' tagline. Intrigued by the new arrival, we climbed aboard an airliner and flew to Charleston, South Carolina, for an introduction and test drive of the JX crossover.
Nissan Motor Corporation, the wizard behind the Infiniti brand, has chosen its fresh 'D platform' for the new JX (it's the first of several vehicles to be introduced on the unibody front/all-wheel drive chassis that will also be shared with the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder). Like the Murano and Maxima, a crossover and a sedan that also share some of the JX's architecture, the chassis is designed for a transverse-mounted engine – the Infiniti brand's first since dropping the compact G20 sedan more than a decade ago.
The JX features one of Nissan's familiar six-cylinder engines, which is no surprise. However, instead of fitting the crossover with a 3.7-liter VQ, the automaker has selected its 3.5-liter 'VQ35DE' variant shared with the current Maxima (the all-aluminum powerplant makes 25 additional horsepower under the hood of the Nissan sedan and more torque thanks to packaging advantages). Naturally aspirated and lacking direct injection, it is rated at 265 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 248 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. Mounted sideways in the engine compartment, the engine is mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Nissan has been using this type of gearbox for more than a decade, but this application is a first for Infiniti (the M35h Hybrid has a traditional seven-speed automatic). The standard configuration is front-wheel drive, though we suspect many buyers will splurge for Infiniti's optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, which sends 100 percent of the torque to the front wheels under dry conditions.
Other mechanical tidbits include an independent strut-based suspension up front with a multi-link in the rear, while the steering is hydraulic-electric with vehicle-speed sensitive boost. There are internally ventilated disc brakes at all four corners, each clamped by a single-piston sliding caliper. Standard wheels are 18-inch alloys (wearing 235/65R18 all-season tires) with 20-inch wheels optional (tire size 235/55R20).
Infiniti has come out swinging when it comes to configuring the JX. Shoppers will find leather seats, tri-zone climate control, power rear liftgate, privacy glass, keyless entry, heated seats, bi-xenon headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, full power accessories and more as standard equipment on the base JX FWD (starting at $40,450).
However, Infiniti handed us the keys to a loaded 2013 JX AWD (base price $41,550). Our Moonlight White over Wheat leather upholstery test vehicle was fitted with the $4,950 Premium Package (HD-based navigation, Bose audio, Around-View monitor, Intelligent Key and more), $1,700 Theater Package (dual 7-inch second-seat monitors, wireless headsets and 120-volt power outlet) and the $2,200 Driver Assistance Package (Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, Back-Up Collision Intervention, Distance Control Assist, heated steering wheel, remote engine start and more). Add the $950 destination/handling fee, and the final MSRP on our five-door luxury crossover totaled $51,350.
In the seven-passenger import luxury crossover segment, the aggressive pricing of the all-new JX undercuts the base price of the aged Acura MDX ($42,930) and elderly Audi Q7 ($46,250), but not the decade-old Volvo XC90 ($39,500). Optioned similarly, the Infiniti will still be the least expensive with the most equipment.
We put about 200 miles on the new JX, mostly on secondary highways in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Our speeds were moderate and the roads were crowded and rather unchallenging. Thanks to scattered rain arriving in heavy downpours, the overall driving conditions were about optimal... for an all-wheel-drive crossover.
The JX cabin, unmistakably Infiniti in its warm design and high quality fit-and-finish, is configured for seven passengers in a 2+3+2 layout. In addition to the individual driver and front passenger captain's chairs (separated by a fixed center console), second-row occupants occupy a split (60/40) fold-down bench while third-row passengers sit on a split (50/50) fold-down bench. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat is plenty comfortable, but we wished it were mirrored on both sides of the cabin as the front passenger is relegated to an inferior six-way power-adjustable throne that our six-foot, two-inch frame didn't find nearly as appealing.
Engine: 3.5L V6
Power: 265 HP / 248 LB-FT
Transmission: CVT
0-60 Time: 8.0 (est.)
Drivetrain: Front- or AWD
Curb Weight: 4,419 LBS
Seating: 2+3+2
MPG: 18 City / 23 HWY
MSRP: $51,350 (as tested)
Consumers looking for a sports coupe, sports sedan, sporty five-passenger crossover, luxury five-passenger crossover, trailer-capable SUV, sporty convertible or hybrid luxury sedan have been able to drive out of Infiniti showrooms very satisfied. The automaker offers a well-curated family of vehicles for each of these genres, without question.
However, affluent families seeking an import luxury seven-passenger crossover – without a traditional truck lineage – have been forced to shop elsewhere. Many of Infiniti's missed opportunities end up holding keys to an Acura MDX, Audi Q7 or Volvo XC90. Aiming to close a gaping leak in its product range, Infiniti officially introduced the world to its all-new JX crossover at the Los Angeles Auto Show just a few months ago.
The new arrival has been engineered to "excel in the areas that luxury crossover buyers desire most – interior flexibility and roominess, safety, and advanced hospitality features," says Infiniti. But to us, some of those qualities seem to stray from the company's 'Inspired Performance' tagline. Intrigued by the new arrival, we climbed aboard an airliner and flew to Charleston, South Carolina, for an introduction and test drive of the JX crossover.
Nissan Motor Corporation, the wizard behind the Infiniti brand, has chosen its fresh 'D platform' for the new JX (it's the first of several vehicles to be introduced on the unibody front/all-wheel drive chassis that will also be shared with the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder). Like the Murano and Maxima, a crossover and a sedan that also share some of the JX's architecture, the chassis is designed for a transverse-mounted engine – the Infiniti brand's first since dropping the compact G20 sedan more than a decade ago.
The JX features one of Nissan's familiar six-cylinder engines, which is no surprise. However, instead of fitting the crossover with a 3.7-liter VQ, the automaker has selected its 3.5-liter 'VQ35DE' variant shared with the current Maxima (the all-aluminum powerplant makes 25 additional horsepower under the hood of the Nissan sedan and more torque thanks to packaging advantages). Naturally aspirated and lacking direct injection, it is rated at 265 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 248 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. Mounted sideways in the engine compartment, the engine is mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Nissan has been using this type of gearbox for more than a decade, but this application is a first for Infiniti (the M35h Hybrid has a traditional seven-speed automatic). The standard configuration is front-wheel drive, though we suspect many buyers will splurge for Infiniti's optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, which sends 100 percent of the torque to the front wheels under dry conditions.
Other mechanical tidbits include an independent strut-based suspension up front with a multi-link in the rear, while the steering is hydraulic-electric with vehicle-speed sensitive boost. There are internally ventilated disc brakes at all four corners, each clamped by a single-piston sliding caliper. Standard wheels are 18-inch alloys (wearing 235/65R18 all-season tires) with 20-inch wheels optional (tire size 235/55R20).
Infiniti has come out swinging when it comes to configuring the JX. Shoppers will find leather seats, tri-zone climate control, power rear liftgate, privacy glass, keyless entry, heated seats, bi-xenon headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, full power accessories and more as standard equipment on the base JX FWD (starting at $40,450).
However, Infiniti handed us the keys to a loaded 2013 JX AWD (base price $41,550). Our Moonlight White over Wheat leather upholstery test vehicle was fitted with the $4,950 Premium Package (HD-based navigation, Bose audio, Around-View monitor, Intelligent Key and more), $1,700 Theater Package (dual 7-inch second-seat monitors, wireless headsets and 120-volt power outlet) and the $2,200 Driver Assistance Package (Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, Back-Up Collision Intervention, Distance Control Assist, heated steering wheel, remote engine start and more). Add the $950 destination/handling fee, and the final MSRP on our five-door luxury crossover totaled $51,350.
In the seven-passenger import luxury crossover segment, the aggressive pricing of the all-new JX undercuts the base price of the aged Acura MDX ($42,930) and elderly Audi Q7 ($46,250), but not the decade-old Volvo XC90 ($39,500). Optioned similarly, the Infiniti will still be the least expensive with the most equipment.
We put about 200 miles on the new JX, mostly on secondary highways in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Our speeds were moderate and the roads were crowded and rather unchallenging. Thanks to scattered rain arriving in heavy downpours, the overall driving conditions were about optimal... for an all-wheel-drive crossover.
The JX cabin, unmistakably Infiniti in its warm design and high quality fit-and-finish, is configured for seven passengers in a 2+3+2 layout. In addition to the individual driver and front passenger captain's chairs (separated by a fixed center console), second-row occupants occupy a split (60/40) fold-down bench while third-row passengers sit on a split (50/50) fold-down bench. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat is plenty comfortable, but we wished it were mirrored on both sides of the cabin as the front passenger is relegated to an inferior six-way power-adjustable throne that our six-foot, two-inch frame didn't find nearly as appealing.
