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Stunning features but who’ll notice the facelift ?

Infiniti FX30D S Premium car test review
INFINITI does sporting luxury and no more so than in the striking FX, a serious competitor to the Range Rover Sport for those who want something different.

Car review: Mark Bursa
Infiniti FX30D front

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1 June 2012

 

Quirky: The Infiniti FX3.0D is a technical masterpiece but can you see the differences?

Infiniti FX30D S Premium car test review

Car review: Mark Bursa

What is it?

Cosmetic facelift for Infiniti FX crossover vehicle, with new corporate grille, new colours and revised alloy wheels.  The FX is Infiniti’s top-of-the-range car, with prices ranging from £46,865 to £58,280. The model tested, the FX30D S Premium, costs £53,415.

 

For

  • It’s a striking-looking vehicle, with quirky, aggressive looks
  • The roofline is low, and the ride height is much lower than most large luxury SUVs, which makes getting in and out a lot easier
  • There’s excellent rear legroom too, and the low roofline doesn’t compromise the interior headroom. The quilted leather seats are extremely comfortable
  • Infiniti FX is bristling with technology, including adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning…
  • … plus an exceptional reversing camera that gives a top-down view of the car, as well as a conventional rear view, when you’re parking
  • This uses cleverly-angled cameras mounted in the door mirrors, and at the front and rear of the car. It’s a brilliant system that will surely help you avoid costly scrapes and dings – quite likely with such a hefty car
  • Car-like driving position makes you forget you’re driving an off-roader…
  • …handling is sure-footed and steering is positive, making the Infiniti FX manoeuvrable around town

 

Against

  • It’s not cheap at nearly £54k, but that does include a very loaded standard spec – something of an Infiniti feature from the luxury sporting brand
  • Combined fuel economy is claimed at 31.4mpg, and we came close to that at 29.8mpg achieved
  • CO2 isn’t the best at 238g/km, though there’s excellent performance from the 3-litre V6 turbodiesel, with 238PS on tap and a hefty 550Nm of torque
  • You’ll struggle to notice the facelift
Brilliant: The rear facing camera gives a bird's eye view when reversing

 

VERDICT

This diesel version of the FX SUV offers plenty of power and the car is an excellent motorway cruiser with a luxurious standard specification. It looks a distinctive business car too.

If you’re after a large, luxury SUV that will be used primarily for on-road driving, for a business car comparison, the Infiniti FX is a very viable alternative to the Range Rover Sport or the Audi Q7 – something different for a small business owner or SME company director.

 

Infiniti FX30D S Premium – the low down

P11D Value: £52,545
Monthly business rental (ex VAT): From £626 (3yrs/30,000 miles)
Tax Bands 2011/12 to 2013/14: 35%, 35%, 35%
Benefit in kind 2011/12 to 2013/14: £18,391, £18,391, £18,391
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 diesel, 7sp auto
CO2 Emissions: 238g/km
Power/torque: 235bhp/550Nm
0-62mph/top speed: 8.3secs/148mph
Economy (official): 31.4mpg

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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