Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs, Infiniti
2010 Infiniti EX getting more rear leg room
Click above to view high-res gallery of the Infiniti EX35
The Infiniti EX is a perfectly good little CUV with G37-inspired looks and sharp reflexes that keep it near the front of the cute 'ute segment in most reviews. Apparently that hasn't been enough to attract buyers. Or more precisely, the buyers who have been showing up at Infiniti dealers haven't been the kind of people that the company was actually marketing to. Where the advertising for the EX up to this point has been directed towards sedan buyers, and particularly couples or single women, a lot of families are actually looking considering it and, like ourselves, are complaining about the lack of back seat legroom and cargo room. Infiniti has taken those complaints to heart and is planning a few changes for the 2010 model that will increase room in both of those areas, though it hasn't said exactly how it will squeeze the extra cubic inches out of the vehicle's finite amount of interior space. Additionally, Infiniti will work with its dealers to help better pitch the EX to prospective buyers. An example of that is making content like the family-friendly Around View Monitor available in more trim levels. Hopefully it will help boost EX sales beyond the expected 15,000 units for this year, though we wouldn't get our hopes up in this market.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
thomas 5:05PM (10/13/2008)
yeah... my aunt has one, and while i love the looks and performance.... i must say the back seat and cargo room does leave something to be desired....
i cant imagine, however, where they will get this room from....
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Gardiner Westbound 5:06PM (10/13/2008)
The EX is nice, but very small inside. The FX is much more car for not much more money.
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Chris 5:09PM (10/13/2008)
I just wonder how long this and other 20mgp average vehicles can survive. I mean its one thing to laugh a pickup drivers and hummer drivers but things like most of what Infiniti sell don't provide real world numbers much in excess of 20.
I only know of one friend with an Infiniti that gets over 20 each day and it is mostly because of the 6sp manual and his usage of it. Everyone else seems muddled down at around 18 with 23/24 on long trips
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James 5:19PM (10/13/2008)
Since when did people buy V6 or V8 engines with ~300hp for fuel economy?
ChopperDave 6:49PM (10/13/2008)
@James:
I see your point about sports sedans, but I think that when people are sold a crossover, they're expecting to get better mileage than an SUV. Frankly, I think the EX35's MPGs are very disappointing--17/24 or 16/23 are '99 RX300 levels--though it's only a hair off from the lighter coupe and sedan.
In a day where it's not hard to squeeze an EPA 25 or 27 highway out of a high-performance engine, the EX35 seems thirsty to me. I guess it's the weight. Still, it's on par with the competition; the X3 and RDX get about the same--so I guess the problem is just me!
s13hybrid 11:55AM (10/14/2008)
I have to agree. I want the fuel economy of the Nissan rogue with the looks of the EX (and the price of the rogue haha). The EX looks amazing, but as soon as I hear the 20mpg number I get turned off. I don't need the 300 hp, who does when buying a CUV? The main thing for me when looking at vehicle like this is the 4WD, fuel economy, ground clearance, and the looks (and partially the interior space). If I needed more power I would go for the FX.
mike 5:10PM (10/13/2008)
i've had m EX now for about five weeks. the back seat wasn't a consideration for me, since i normally don't have people in the back seat. i traded in an FX for the EX because i no longer needed the room for work. since getting the EX i've had occasion to have more people sit in the backseat than in the three years i had the FX. no one's complained about not having enough room. the only person who has been inconvenienced is me, because i like having the seat all the way back. when i've asked people if they had enough room, they've said yes. i think it depends on what you actually use the car for and what your individual circumstances. making more leg room in any car is always a big deal. people always want more of anything.
by the way, this is my third Infiniti and I have to say it's the best one of all. though i hesitated getting rid of the FX (eve though the lease was up), it was a great decision for me. i'm still discovering so many new things with it.
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hatchbacks are cool 5:19PM (10/13/2008)
Crossover? It's not a crossover it looks nothing like a SUV.It's a Hatchback i am sorry you American **** would not buy the best car body style ever made . Small saloons/sedans are completely pointless and look ugly .
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Xcountryflyer 5:25PM (10/13/2008)
I think they will be maximizing thin seat technology esp for the front seats backs to get a bit more kneeroom out of the front seats and perhaps thin the back seat so u sit a bit further into the back seat. Those would seem to be the easiest to do bar totally redoing the back.
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P.V. 5:26PM (10/13/2008)
Good. This was badly needed.
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polar 5:28PM (10/13/2008)
Why didn't they just make a proper G35 Wagon in the first place is what I want to know.
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TJ 5:35PM (10/13/2008)
Not a fan of these in person. Pretty disappointing looks-wise, IMO.
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KeatMP 5:43PM (10/13/2008)
Is this even news? Or is it a slow day?
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J3studio 6:53PM (10/13/2008)
It is ridiculous - a MINI Clubman has more rear leg room.
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Torrent 6:54PM (10/13/2008)
They should have done that in the beginning. Maybe they're going to extend the car a few inches?
A corvette has more rear legroom than the EX.
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anoldbikeguy 8:06PM (10/13/2008)
Oh look - they brought back the AMC Pacer!
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CalGuy 9:57PM (10/13/2008)
It IS so Pacer-ish. It's not a hot car.. they're smart to market it more to families. Nicely built, for sure, but it's just kinda dumpy.
If it had just been a REAL wagon instead of a Golf on stilts-suv, it might have been more appealing. Wagons are sexy. Truck-ettes are kinda dorky.
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Noah 10:07PM (10/13/2008)
Sometimes I think that people expect Maybach levels of rear legroom. I am 5'10, about average for an American male, and I think civics have plenty of rear legroom. I don't need to stretch out my legs until a couple of hours have gone by.
If people want legroom, they should get a car like my 94 Olds 88. Massive rear legroom!
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inteller 8:28AM (10/14/2008)
As a family of 3 I can tell you that the EX works just fine for us. We are not, however, the typical fat American who needs a Yukon XL to feel comfortable. The EX wraps around you like a cocoon in luxury. After making a 6 hour trip in it I can say it rides like a dream.
As far as the gas mileage thing...it is 300hp V6 that costs 40k+.....if you can't afford the premium gas after than you have no business buying one in the first place.
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BigBrown 10:15AM (10/14/2008)
I've always liked this vehicle, and I even find it more comfortable than the larger FX. For me, however, what it needs is the 3.7L V6 and the 7-speed transmission that Nissan already offers in some markets (but not in the US).
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