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Infiniti says its new EX35 compact crossover was designed for women.

But it’s usually the men who seem to care most about the high-tech gadgetry, and the 2008 EX35 (base price $32,115 with freight) is a rolling showcase for the latest technology that Infiniti and the auto industry have to offer.

When I asked someone at Nissan (Infiniti’s parent) about this seemingly conflicting message coming from the EX35, it was explained to me that the company is hoping that women would like this vehicle more than they would, say, the more-expensive FX crossover, which was positioned to appeal mostly to men.

Everyone can appreciate the gadgetry, though, and when fully equipped, as my test vehicle was, the technology makes it a Best Buy on wheels.

And everyone should appreciate the low, sleek styling, even if the designers had women in mind when creating the EX.

In creating the EX, Infiniti was banking on consumer research suggesting that women like crossover utility vehicles with luxury appointments, but not necessarily the big SUVs that traditionally have appealed mostly to men.

This is one of two new compact crossovers from Nissan for 2008. The other is the Nissan Rogue, which starts in the low-$20,000s and is intended for general audiences. The EX35 is intended for those with more money to spend.

“The EX35 is the product of an ‘unmet needs’ study,” EX product planner Ken Davis said. The study showed that women looking for a premium crossover wanted “more style, more space, more functionality, and more driving excitement” than was available in the compact-crossover segment, he said.

The EX35 is intended to compete against other premium compacts such as the Acura RDX and BMW X3.

It also competes with sedans in the entry-premium segment as well. Nissan believes that some consumers will switch to crossovers from sedans, even though these same consumers probably wouldn’t have considered a traditional truck-style SUV.

Based on the chassis of the premium midsize Infiniti G35 sedan, the EX essentially is a wagon version of the G.

Under the hood is the same engine, a 297-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. It’s connected to a five-speed automatic transmission also taken from the G35, and is EPA rated at 17 miles per gallon city/24 highway with rear-wheel drive or 16/23 with the optional all-wheel drive.

Having this impressive power in a compact crossover is another hint that Infiniti wants to appeal to men just as much as to women. Studies have shown that men put more of an emphasis on performance when they’re car shopping.

The high-tech stuff, though, is what makes the EX really cool.

Among the optional gadgetry are an around-view monitor system, self-healing exterior paint, a 3-D navigation-system screen, a lane-departure warning and correction system, and, of course, a Bluetooth telephone interface.

The EX35 is the only vehicle in its segment with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.

Our test vehicle was the top-end Journey all-wheel drive model ($36,250 plus $815 freight).

The car’s exterior design features a long hood, short front and rear overhangs, and wheels pushed to the corners. It includes a double-arch grille, large L-shaped headlights (with an available bi-xenon adaptive front lighting system), integrated fog lights, LED taillights and an arch profile.

Other exterior highlights include a spoiler on top of the rear hatch, dual chrome exhaust tips, an optional power moon roof, and optional roof cargo rails.

Nissan concedes that even though designers had women in mind when creating the EX, buyers are expected to come from both sexes and all age groups, including active singles, young couples and empty nesters.

Special attention was given to the interior design, Nissan said. It includes practical features that busy women appreciate, including coat hangers that pop out from the rear of the front headrests, and a power-fold-down rear seat that allows for easy expansion of the cargo area at the touch of a button either in the rear of the cargo compartment or a switch up front.

The back seat can be raised again using the same switches. Consumer studies have found that women don’t particularly care for the manually operated fold-down seats in wagons, vans and SUVs, some of which are too heavy or complicated.

Front-seat height is higher than that of the average sedan, but lower than in the typical SUV.

Also included are easy-to-read gauges with white and violet lighting, an analog clock, and “hospitality lighting,” with an LED beaming a penlight down from above the center console, Davis said. These are features that women find appealing.

A seven-inch LCD screen in the middle of the instrument panel serves the optional navigation and audio system, which includes a 9.3-gigabyte hard drive for music storage and playback

Cloth interior is standard on base models, but leather is included on the Journey version.

The front bucket seats are roomy and comfortable. There is limited legroom in the rear with the front seats all the way back, but that’s normal in the compact segment. Adults can sit back there, but children find it more comfortable.

The center console and instrument stack come with black lacquer and aluminum trim, but maple wood trim, included on our tester, is an additional $450.

The around-view monitoring system uses four cameras, one each in the grille, on the rear above the license plate, and on the side mirrors, to produce a bird’s-eye view of the area around the car on the dash monitor. The idea is to give the driver a “top-down view” of the car while parking, Davis said.

I found the system to be quite useful backing out of my long driveway through the many trees in my yard.

Also quite remarkable is the EX35’s lane-departure prevention system, which goes beyond the lane-departure warning systems showing up on some other luxury vehicles.

When the EX35’s system detects the vehicle drifting out of its traffic lane, the brakes engage slightly to give the car a gentle push back into its lane.

There’s also the “Scratch Shield” paint, which self-heals small scratches – such as those from fingernails under the door handles. The process can take from a day to a week, depending on the outside temperature and depth of the scratch.

This is possible because of a special soft elastic resin in the clearcoat paint. It won’t correct severe scratches though, just the minor everyday ones. Although this system is exclusive to the EX for now, it will be expanded to other Infiniti vehicles eventually, Nissan said.

Other high-tech features include the standard Infiniti Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, and the optional XM satellite radio.

Also standard are an eight-way power driver’s seat with two-way manual lumbar support, and a four-way power passenger. Optional are a driver’s seat memory system, heated front seats, and an eight-way power passenger seat.

Available are a rearview monitor camera system, offered separately or as part of the around-view system; front and rear sonar parking assist; radar cruise control and a premium Bose audio system. The Bose system has 11 speakers, including two subwoofers, as well as a six-disc, in-dash CD changer and iPod input jack.

Four versions of the EX are offered: the base model with rear drive and cloth seats; the all-wheel drive with cloth; the rear-drive; and the all-wheel-drive.

With $8,350 worth of options, our test car’s sticker totaled $45,415

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2008 Infiniti EX35

The package: Compact, premium, five-door, five-passenger, V-6 powered, rear- or all-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicle.

Highlights: New for 2008, this is Infiniti’s first compact crossover, and is aimed at women, young families and empty nesters. It’s great fun to drive, and has a long list of impressive high-tech options.

Negatives: Back seat is a bit cramped for adults.

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic.

Power/torque: 297 HP/253 foot-pounds.

Length: 182.3 inches.

Curb weight: 3,752-3,953 pounds.

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Cargo volume: 18.6 cubic feet.

Side air bags: Front seat-mounted, roof-mounted side-curtain for both rows, standard.

Electronic stability control: Standard.

Fuel capacity/type: 20 gallons/unleaded premium recommended (but not required).

EPA fuel economy: 17 city/24 highway (2WD); 16/23 (AWD).

Major competitors: Acura RDX, BMW X3.

Base price range: $31,300-$36,250 plus $815 freight.

Price as tested: $45,415, including freight and options (Journey AWD).

On the Road rating: 9.3 (of a possible 10).

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at chambers@star-telegram.com.