2013 Infiniti JX35: What's New

Vehicle Overview

Although Infiniti offers the sporty FX crossover and the QX full-size SUV, the luxury brand hasn’t had a car-based luxury crossover in its lineup — the kind that has done so well for the likes of Lexus with its RX and Acura with its MDX. Enter the 2013 Infiniti JX35, a three-row seven-seat crossover that aims to fill that hole in the brand’s lineup. It hits dealerships in spring 2012.

Exterior
The JX35 mixes design elements from current Infiniti models and also brings some new themes to the table. The large rectangular grille with chrome slats and a big Infiniti logo looks like it could have come right off the FX crossover, and the headlights have a trace of the FX’s, too.

Apart from the grille, the JX’s most distinctive styling cue is a scalloped D-pillar that adds a little visual interest to the rear side glass. Exterior features include:

• Standard automatic bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
• Standard fog lights
• Standard LED taillights
• Standard power liftgate
• Standard power moonroof
• Standard 18-inch alloy wheels
• Optional 20-inch wheels
• Optional rear panoramic moonroof

Interior
The JX35’s cabin has familiar Infiniti controls and a high-mounted 7-inch information screen in the center of the dash. Standard features include leather-trimmed seats and power-adjustable heated front seats. The second-row bench seat can slide up to 5.5 inches for greater legroom or cargo space, and the 60/40-split second row and 50/50-split third row provide numerous ways to expand the 15.8-cubic-foot cargo area by folding sections of the seats. The backrests in both rows also recline.

Navigation-equipped JX35s introduce Infiniti Connection and Infiniti Connection Plus emergency communication system, which are both complimentary for a year. Some of the services, like automatic crash notification and remote door unlocking, are similar to those offered by GM’s OnStar, but the Infiniti effort also enables owners to create notifications — via email, text message or phone — if the JX35 has crossed a predetermined boundary or exceeded a predetermined speed. It’s more than a little Big Brother-ish, but Infiniti says parents will appreciate being able to keep tabs on a young driver. Additional services include personalized news and stock and sports reports. Interior features include:

• Optional cooled front seats
• Optional heated second-row seats
• Optional heated steering wheel
• Optional enhanced intelligent key remembers memory settings, the last-used audio feature, and climate and navigation modes
• Optional remote engine start
• Optional dual-screen entertainment system

Under the Hood
All versions of the JX35 are powered by a 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine that teams with a continuously variable automatic transmission. When the Infiniti Drive Mode Selector’s Sport setting is chosen, the transmission can mimic a conventional automatic’s stepped shifting characteristics. Eco and Snow modes are also offered. Mechanical features include:

• Front- or all-wheel drive
• Estimated 17/23 mpg city/highway
• Premium gas recommended

Safety
Standard safety features include side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, side-impact airbags for the front seats, three-point safety belts for all seating positions, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system.

The JX35’s optional blind spot intervention system features Backup Collision Intervention, which is designed to detect crossing cars and objects when backing up and automatically apply the brakes if necessary to avoid a collision. Infiniti’s optional Around View Monitor with new Moving Object Detection alerts the driver with visual and audible warnings if it detects a moving object within the system’s field of view. Additional safety features include:

• Optional lane departure warning system
• Optional Lane Departure Prevention can bring the JX35 back into its lane by selectively applying the brakes 
• Optional blind spot warning system
• Optional adaptive cruise control
• Optional forward-collision warning system