
Entry luxury crossovers are only a few weeks from getting a new competitor, and the Infiniti EX35 will be priced to sell. The base EX begins at a reasonable $31,300, and includes a 297 HP 3.5L V6, five speed automatic, and six air bags. Infiniti also offers a RWD EX Journey for $34,850, and leather-trimmed seats, moon roof, and front and rear sensing systems come standard. AWD is a $1,400 option on both models. Infiniti also offers several option packages that will bring the little CUV over the $40,000 mark, but that's the standard top end for much of the segment.
The EX35 has good looks, a willing chassis based off the G35 sedan, and an outstanding VQ engine. At these prices, Infinity should meet sales quotas and steal buyers from other luxury nameplates at the same time. The EX35 will be available beginning December 21. Check out the press release after the jump.
[Source: Infiniti]
PRESS RELEASE
Infiniti Announces Pricing on 2008 EX Luxury Crossover
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 15, 2007) - Infiniti announced pricing on the all-new 2008 EX35 personal luxury crossover SUV today at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The Infiniti EX35, which goes on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide on December 21, 2007, offers an exceptional combination of seductive design, elegant interior and advanced technology systems - including the debut of the available Around View Monitor (AVM) system, which utilizes four small cameras to give the driver a "top-down view" of the outside of the vehicle while parking.
The new EX also becomes the second Infiniti production vehicle, following the fall introduction of the 2008 Infiniti M, to offer the new Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, and the first to feature "Scratch Shield," a special "self-healing" clear coat designed to maintain its gloss level over time and keep the EX looking new.
The 2008 EX is available in four models - EX35 RWD (rear-wheel drive), EX35 RWD Journey, EX35 AWD (all-wheel drive) and EX35 AWD Journey. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) pricing of each model is:
• $31,300 for the EX RWD
• $34,850 for the EX RWD Journey
• $32,700 for the EX AWD with ATTESA E-TS intelligent all-wheel drive system
• $36,250 for the EX AWD Journey
The Infiniti EX's sculpted elegance expresses a timeless appeal - sleek lines that portray speed, grace and finesse, with the look and feel of a luxury coupe and an SUV's interior flexibility.
EX was also conceived to offer a reinvigorating and engaging interior environment, one that is both indulgent and inspiring, with room for four passengers, as well as three golf bags in the cargo area with the rear seat in the upright position.
All 2008 EX models offer a long list of standard equipment, including a 297-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission with Manual Shift Mode and Drive Sport Mode (DSM), assisted by Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC), Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately), 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, aluminum interior trim, 7-inch color monitor display, 8-way power driver's seat and more.
EX35 Journey models add power slide/tilt moonroof with one-touch activation, front and rear leather-appointed seating surfaces, an industry-leading power-folding second row seat, auto-dimming inside mirror with electronic compass, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, front and rear sonar system and auto on/off headlights.
Available industry-leading EX35 technology features include the Around View Monitor (AVM) system, Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, RearView Monitor, Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC). For audiophiles, EX offers an available 11-speaker Bose® Premium Audio System with Burr-Brown 24-bit DAC, two subwoofers, 6CD in-dash changer and iPod® connectivity. Also available is an advanced voice-activated, touch-screen Infiniti Navigation System featuring available XM® NavTraffic™ with real-time traffic information (requires active XM® subscription after free 3 month free trial subscription), which includes a 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback.
2008 EX35 equipment packages include the Premium Package ($2,150); Luxe Elite Package ($1,650); Navigation Package ($2,150); Technology Package ($1,950); and Luxe Style Package ($1,250). Also offered is maple wood trim ($450) and roof rails ($200).
"Infiniti customers have created a need for a vehicle like EX personal luxury crossover - they want the style and performance of a coupe, but need more utility, with the luxury of a sports sedan and the versatility of an SUV, all in a size that makes for easy maneuverability," said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "The EX blends all the best attributes of each segment to create a perfect vehicle that appeals to men and women of all ages and family sizes."
Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles, including the G sports coupe and sedan, the M luxury performance sedan, FX premium crossover SUV, QX full-size luxury SUV, and the EX personal luxury crossover, which goes on sale in December. More information about Infiniti and its total ownership experience can be found at www.Infiniti.com.










Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
FThorn @ Nov 20th 2007 8:21AM
Sad to think $30k is reasonable. Cars are 'spensive. And often times lead to a lot of consumer debt.
zamafir @ Nov 20th 2007 9:41AM
Yup, I was entirely underwhelmed with this car. for that kind of money i'd much rather have the tiguan tdi with 38mpg.
Ligor @ Nov 20th 2007 10:31AM
zamafir,
yeah, you go buy that Tiguan and watch it catch flames while parked
please,
VW makes nothing that can go up against Infiniti, looks wise, performance wise, or relieability wise.
icu812ru469 @ Nov 20th 2007 8:28AM
Another "stink-utility vehicle" to cloud the already mirky waters of the automotive industry. Sooner or later, although everything looks appealing, something's gotta give. FX,EX,QX... just too much. Look at how the GX is suffering for Lexus. Just middle of the road to nowhere...
k.w.a @ Nov 20th 2007 8:39AM
I saw this car in real life the other day. the wheels are too small. i'm sure that was just the base model though (at least I hope so)
PakieMak @ Nov 20th 2007 9:02AM
Looks like a Hyundai. Just save the money and buy the Hyundai instead.
Guenther @ Nov 20th 2007 9:07AM
Isn't this just way too close to the FX?
s @ Nov 20th 2007 1:56PM
No, this isn't close to the FX in price but in size yes. That's why the trunk area is super small!!!! The FX is small too. I don't know what Nissan was thinking.
But it does have good HP for this class.
Seminole @ Nov 20th 2007 9:14AM
Good price, bad car.
It isn't a CUV. It has a 5.7in ground clearance, and barely more usable trunk space than a G35. Infact all the EX is, is a G35 wagon.
I still say the best CUV for the money is the Mazda CX-7. $30,900 sticker gets you Nav, Backup Camera, Xenon Headlights, Smart Key, Moonroof, Bose Stereo, Auto Climate Control, Leather Seats, usable trunk space, and most of all a fun to drive engine.
Zane @ Nov 20th 2007 9:30AM
"At these prices, Infinity should meet sales quotas". Last I checked, there's no car manufacturer by that name. Get the name right folks. You guys are part of the best blogs in the business.
JJ @ Nov 20th 2007 9:55AM
The picture makes me think of is a tarted up Versa for 30K..
Leaf @ Nov 20th 2007 10:26AM
Not much love for this car... but then, not much love for crossovers on Autoblog in general.
Personally, I think it will sell in droves. Demand for this vehicle definitely exists, particularly in the northeast and great lakes regions. If they retain its G35-ness it should be the class leader.
Ligor @ Nov 20th 2007 10:35AM
yeah right,
this is a G35 wagon as you said and that means performance over utility. considering no-one relly uses SUV's CUV's for nothing more than jsut daily driving i'd pick performance
read the review for the EX:
0-60 5.7sec
1/4mi 14sec
fule milage same as a G35
handling - best of any CUV out there
-though I still with they would have just made a real G35 wagon instead
Seminole @ Nov 20th 2007 11:04AM
Since I'm the only one who mentioned a G35 wagon, I'm assuming this was directed towards me.
First, learn how to spell "really." Also there is a thing called Capitalization.
Second, the EX is worthless. It is supposed to be a CUV, and compete against the RDX, X3, and other future luxury CUV's. One of the reasons people buy CUVs are they like the increased ride height over a normal car. The EX35's height is 61.9 inches. In comparison the Scion xB and Ford Tarus are both taller than the EX35 (The Taurus is 61.5 inches so close enough)
The EX also fails as a CUV in it's cargo capacity. The EX has half the capacity of the X3. HALF!
Please tell me then how this vehicle is a CUV. Infiniti shouldn't market it as such, and instead should market it as a G35 with a hatcback, because that's all it is.
YouFaceTheTick @ Nov 20th 2007 12:07PM
G35's a bit cramped so if they added even a bit to the trunk that seems fine. I assume when my wife gets pregnant will keep her A3 and switch out of my mini for something with reasonable space. The Sti/WRX, GTI 4 door, 328 wagon (sadly no 335i wagon is made), Tiguan, EX35 and A4 avant are about the only cars I'm considering right now. Not a fan of the X3 though still having a manual would be nice and the RDX/Rav4/CRV are all boring cars in my experience.
I think the EX could be a fine car. supposedly the handling is sharp, Infiniti's last forever and the power is great, plus the price is low. 34k with prem. pack = about 31k selling price. Not too bad.
bluestate @ Nov 20th 2007 12:17PM
Hey Seminole - unless you're going to spell check everything you type, you should probably lay off correcting other people, particularly when they've gone so far out of their way to demonstrate they could give a crap about spelling and punctuation. Or perhaps in your fervor to prove once and for all that the EX is NOT A TRUE CUV you intentionally created a new category of 'hatcback' to lump it in?
Seminole @ Nov 20th 2007 2:27PM
YouFace- I agree. The EX is a great wagon/ hatchback. It has many more features than the A3 for a similar price. Thats how Infiniti should market the car, not as a crossover that competes with the X3, RDX, etc.
My biggest pet peeve is that automakers are just slapping the term crossover onto vehicles at random. The EX is much more like a hatchback then it is a CUV. The cars you are cross shopping the EX with just prove that point. As a wagon/hatchback its a winner. As a CUV, I think its a failure.
To Bluestate- Wow, I missed one "h" in my rush to type the post before I had to go out the door. What I'm criticizing is when someone has multiple errors such as "no-one", "relly", "jsut", "fule", and "with" instead of "wish". Not to mention no capitalization. Those types of mistakes make it very annoying to read posts. I'm sorry, but when someone can't even take two seconds to download a spell checker plug-in, I don't feel bad.
Seminole @ Nov 20th 2007 2:52PM
Actually I'm sorry, "no-one" is correct, so omit that from my response.
EdgeCX-\\\'s OWNer @ Nov 21st 2007 2:54AM
The RDX has about the same amount of Ground Clearance as the RDX, 5.1 inches, the Audi A4 Avant has 4.9, the RDX only plays SUV, it's a wagon too, ugly at that.
EdgeCX-'s OWNer @ Nov 21st 2007 2:56AM
I mean EX, not RDX, LOL.