Infiniti EX SUV-2013

PREVIEW

If you wish Infiniti made a wagon out of its athletic G37 sedan, you're in luck. The 2013 Infiniti EX, while technically a crossover SUV, delivers the superior driving dynamics and confident road manners that will convince you it's a sport wagon.

For 2013, the EX receives a new 3.7-liter V6 that produces 325 horsepower, 28 hp more than last year's 3.5-liter V6. The bigger six-cylinder further bolsters the EX's sporty mission, which is complemented by sharp handling, responsive steering and strong brakes.

The EX's appeal continues inside, surrounding occupants with impressive luxury trimmings, soft leather upholstery and genuine wood trim. An array of cutting-edge technology is also available, including a 360-degree parking camera system and adaptive cruise control with collision warning.

But the 2013 Infiniti EX isn't as spacious or practical as you might hope from a crossover. Compared to some direct competitors, the EX's backseat is cramped and the cargo area yields slightly less space. The EX is more practical than a G sedan or other entry-level luxury sedans, however. Think of it as a wagon without the wagon stigma.

If you favor passenger and cargo room over dynamic qualities, the 2013 Audi Q5, 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK and Volvo XC60 are compact luxury crossovers that cover the EX's shortcomings. The 2013 BMW X3 is another athletic choice that offers more room and features, but at a higher price.

FEATURES

The 2013 Infiniti EX is a five-passenger luxury crossover SUV available in two trim levels: base and Journey.

Standard equipment on base models includes 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, foglights, power-folding heated mirrors, keyless ignition/entry, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power front seats (eight-way driver, four-way passenger), heated front seats (AWD model only), 60/40-split-folding rear seats, a 7-inch display, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a rearview camera and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.

Spring for the top-of-the-line Journey trim and you also get a sunroof, heated front seats (rear-wheel drive), a power-adjustable steering wheel and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

EX Journey models offer multiple options, including a Premium package that bundles a multi-camera parking system, front and rear parking sensors, an air purifier, Bluetooth audio streaming, a navigation system, voice controls and an 11-speaker Bose audio system.

To the Premium package you can add the Deluxe Touring package, which includes 19-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, driver memory functions, an eight-way power passenger seat, a power-folding backseat and upgraded interior trim. Furthermore, the optional Technology package includes lane-departure warning and prevention systems, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with auto braking, and a blind-spot warning system.

INTERIOR

You could describe the 2013 Infiniti EX's passenger cabin in one word: posh. Both the entry-level model and the Journey trim level feature top-quality materials, including supple leather and genuine aluminum or maple wood accents, integrated with attractive styling and intuitive controls. We particularly like the large, legible vehicle information display that supports all infotainment functions as well as the trip computer and optional navigation.

Front seats offer good comfort and support and the elevated driving position is excellent, especially with the fine-tuning offered by the Journey model's power tilt-and-telescoping adjustable steering column. The backseat doesn't offer much legroom, however, so don't expect anything better than what you'll find in most sport sedans.

Cargo capacity is similarly small, with just 18.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Even with the rear seatbacks folded down, the EX's 47.4-cubic-foot capacity is still significantly smaller than its competitors.

UNDER THE HOOD

The 2013 Infiniti EX offers a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Replacing the previous 3.5-liter engine, a 3.7-liter V6 now produces 325 hp and 267 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard. Based on testing of an EX with the previous engine, we expect the 2013 EX to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about 6 seconds, which is very quick for a compact luxury crossover.

Fuel economy estimates for the rear-drive EX are 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined. The AWD model earns 24 mpg highway.