Infiniti FX 50S Premium
The Infiniti FX has been updated but the tweaks are only skin deep. Should it have done more?
The FX looks better than ever, but still has incredibly high CO2 emissions. Handling is impressive for a car this big and the ride is supple enough for our roads. The real trump card is its price – 76 per cent of UK buyers will go for this S Premium trim, which has standard equipment that would cost £10,000 extra from other manufacturers.
One in every three Infiniti FX buyers says they chose the big SUV because of how it looks above all else. So the company has focused on keeping the model looking fresh with this latest styling makeover.
The major changes are at the front of the car, which has gained a new grille inspired by Infiniti’s Essence concept from 2009.
Compared to the aggressive face of the old FX, the updated model now has a much cleaner look, with a more graceful multi-bar chrome grille. New foglights with chrome surrounds have also been added up front.
GT and GT Premium models get new 20-inch alloy wheel designs, but we tested the S Premium – the most popular trim level in the UK – which sticks with 21-inch wheels.
Our car is a range-topping FX 50, powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine that produces 385bhp. No changes have been made to the powertrain, so 0-62mph still takes only 5.8 seconds – which is as impressive as ever.
Unfortunately, the running costs remain just as high, too, with 21.6mpg fuel economy and 307g/km CO2 emissions. That doesn’t compare well with the Porsche Cayenne S, which boasts a CO2 figure of 245g/km.
The FX handles well for such a large car. There’s very little body roll, but the tyres struggle with its hefty weight during aggressive cornering and quickly lose grip.
This S model has a rear-wheel steering system and variable dampers with a Sport mode that firms up the suspension for tighter handling. GT trim is geared more towards comfort.
Despite the changes, prices for the FX range have remained the same, so our flagship car costs £58,280. That’s £1,472 more than a Cayenne S, but the Infiniti includes radar-guided cruise control, 21-inch alloys, lane-departure prevention, heated and cooled leather seats, sat-nav and parking sensors as standard. Specify the same kit on the Porsche and it’ll cost nearer to £70,000.
The steering could do with being more communicative and the rear seats are a bit cramped, but at this price the FX compares very well with similarly equipped Cayennes and BMW X6s.
