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It goes “beep, beep” so much it should be called Road Runner.

It’s the EX35, newest Infiniti from Nissan’s luxury division. It arrives in showrooms in December as the smaller, less-expensive entry-level crossover companion to the FX.

Just as Nissan added a compact Rogue crossover for 2008, Infiniti has done the same. While Rogue is derived from the Sentra sedan, however, the EX35 is derived from the Nissan 350Z, as well as Infiniti G35 sedan and G37 coupe. A sports heritage, to be sure.

With the crossover market so crowded, a name would stand out more than an EX designation, which surely will be confused with the 7-inch longer FX.

But we digress.

Beep, beep.

It’s the sound you hear when you start the car, put the lever in reverse and the navigation screen shows another vehicle is right there or are those the garbage cans sitting only a few feet from the rear bumper?

Unlike other back-up assist programs, however, the navi screen gives you a split view, one showing what’s directly behind, the other an “around view mirror” that employs cameras to see any object front, side or in back — and “beep, beep,” of course.

(“Change view” shows the curb, so you don’t hit it when parking. Convenient even if it doesn’t beep.)

The best beep, beep comes from the optional Lane Departure Warning system. If the EX crosses the center line or the white line near the shoulder doing at least 45 m.p.h., a beep, beep alerts you to get back where you belong. Use the turn signals to cancel the beep, which calls an audible for the green icon in the dash that turns orange when you stray from your lane. It’s easy to overlook the small icon.

There are beeps and more when Lane Departure Prevention kicks in. Cross lane markers and get the beeps while the system applies the brakes to give you a gentle nudge to keep you on the road and out of the head-on path of another vehicle.

As enchanting as the beep, beep is, we found it’s not loud enough if windows and sunroof are open and radio blaring. The tug back is gentle but should rouse anyone who has started to doze; it’s not enough for those who are drunk or drugged.

As if the beep, beeps aren’t enough the EX can heal itself. It can’t remove dents from doors, but it can remove minor scratches in the clearcoat from fingernails, rings or carwash brushes. “Scratch Shield,” a special elastic property in the finish, helps erase small scratches in one to seven days. The hotter it is, the quicker it works. Applying a warm sponge can speed things up. A small “X” in the fender made with a coin disappeared in one day at 80 degrees, but a larger “X” on the mirror housing didn’t budge when the temp fell into the 50s.

Though entry-level, EX comes with power rear-seat backs as standard that fold flat to increase cargo space. Press the button in the cargo hold again and the backs rise. You also can raise, but not lower, the backs from the center console. The raise-only feature prevents you from accidentally hitting the button with a child strapped in or a pet on the seat.

EX holds four adults. It would do so more comfortably if the optional leather seats were less stiff and the seat bottoms longer for thigh support over long distances. Rear seat room is snug. Perhaps more room was allotted cargo than knees and legs. Wider opening doors would ease entry and exit.

The EX comes in rear-wheel- or on-demand all-wheel-drive in base or Journey versions. We tested the AWD Journey.

EX is powered by a push-button-start 3.5-liter, 297-horsepower, 24-valve V-6 teamed with 5-speed automatic, one of several derivations of that engine at Infiniti. More than enough get up and go without stammering whether empty or loaded with people and their stuff. But the mileage rating is only 16 m.p.g. city/23 m.p.g. highway with AWD, 17/24 with RWD. The fuel gauge needle did seem to retreat a hair faster than that.Suspension is firm enough so you don’t float over the pavement, yet soft enough to keep your melon from kissing the ceiling. Stability control ensures solid lateral movement, and traction control takes you away from the light or into/out of a corner without stumbling. Just in case, anti-lock brakes and side-curtain air bag are standard.

The EX doesn’t go on sale until December, so pricing isn’t available. Estimates are about $35,000 to start. Standard on the AWD Journey tested are power driver/passenger seats, power windows/mirrors/locks, AM/FM/CD player with auxiliary jack and connector for MP3, satellite radio and power sunroof with shade.

It was had all the option packages available: Premium, with dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, power and heated outside mirrors, Bluetooth hands-free phone, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel; Wood Trim, on console and doors; Navigation, with voice recognition; Technology, with back-up assist, Lane Warning/Prevention and intelligent cruise control that applies brakes if too close to a vehicle ahead; and Luxe Elite, with leather seats, 18-inch all-season radials (17-inchers standard), adaptive front lighting in which headlamps move in the direction of a turn and a coat hangar that drops out of the driver’s headrest. Novel.

Though Infiniti’s not venturing a guess on sales numbers, time will tell how well a beeping crossover that heals itself will do.

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2008 Infiniti EX35 AWD – Wheelbase: 110.2 inches

– Length: 182.3 inches – Engine: 3.5-liter, 297-h.p., 24-valve V-6 – Transmission: 5-speed automatic – Mileage: 16 m.p.g. city/23 m.p.g. highway

PLUSES – New entry-level crossover with choice of AWD. – Good room for people and their things. – Lane-departure warning and prevention systems to keep you where you belong. – Power folding rear seats. Paint heals minor wounds.

MINUSES – What’s the final price going to be? – Mileage. Snug second row.

Read Jim Mateja Sunday in Transportation. Contact him at transportation@tribune.com.