Infiniti FX sports utility vehicle

Drive

Buyers can choose between a 3.7-litre V6 or a 5.0-litre V8, but more recently a 3.0-litre diesel V6 engine was added to the line-up. Both petrol-powered units are incredibly quick, offering 0-62mph in 5.8 and 6.8 seconds respectively. The diesel unit is slower than both and much noisier, but offers the lowest running costs. Power is delivered through a seven-speed automatic gearbox that shifts up and down through the gears quickly and smoothly – you can even shift yourself using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. Cornering is impressive for a car this size thanks to a clever four-wheel steering system and four-wheel drive set-up. Despite its high centre of gravity the FX tends not to lean into corners and the steering is nicely weighted and responsive. 

Comfort

Infiniti have developed a brand image that focuses mainly on sporty luxurious cars, so be prepared for a stiff ride if you buy one. Some models also come equipped with huge 21-inch alloy wheels which dent ride comfort further. In contrast, the cabin is a very pleasant place to be. The seats are very comfortable, as well as being heated and cooled. Refinement is good in petrol models, but the diesel engine can be a bit rattly on the move. 

Reliability

Infiniti is the luxury brand of Nissan – much like Lexus is of Toyota – so all of its engines come from the Japanese manufacturer. For that reason, all of Infiniti's engines are sourced from Nissan and should prove to be incredibly reliable. The FX managed to achieve a full five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash safety test. Interior quality is also pretty impressive, but some materials lack the upmarket feel that you'll get from some premium rivals.

Practicality

The FX's sporty styling has compromised practicality somewhat. The boot only has a capacity of 410 litres which is over 100 less than both the BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne. The rear seats can be folded down flat to increase boot space to a more impressive 1,305 litres. Elsewhere, the cabin is spacious enough to comfortably seat five adults. 

Value for money

All Infiniti models aim to include as much standard equipment as they can so even the base models come with an impressive array of gadgets. Expect to see a reversing camera, cruise control. air-con, heated and cooled leather seats and 20-inch alloys  all included in the price. If you spend a bit more money for 'S' or 'S Premium' models you'll get clever kit like cruise control with auto-braking, sat-nav and lane departure prevention. Shop around for other models like the BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport and you'll notice the FX is actually incredibly good value for money 

Running costs

Fuelling the FX should become quite a regular occurrence, despite its huge 90 litre fuel tank. The worst offender is the FX50 which manages just 21.6mpg, while the best is the diesel which claims 31.4mpg. Both petrol models will cost almost £1000 for their first year of road tax because of high CO2 emissions, with that figure falling to nearer £500 every year after. The diesel again is better... but not by much.