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Infiniti EX review
October 9, 2012
The EX is car number two to make it out of the Infinti gates and into SA showrooms, a slightly smaller version of the FX we drove two months ago. The EX aims to hit hard at the mid-size SUV segment, punching in with its innovative all-wheel drive system and high tech equipment.
This is going to be a tough segment to crack for the Infiniti EX, the likes of the Range Rover Evoque, BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 are some of the top sellers in the market and don’t leave much of a gap for others to fill. The EX plays its top card with a trick AWD system that allows the car to be a rear-wheel drive athlete most of the time until it feels that it needs to use the front wheels for some extra traction. This system in tandem with steering that has beautiful feel and feedback makes the EX a great drivers SUV, the ride is refined and the EX whooshes along happily at any speed, capable of cornering flat whilst being supple over the bumps of everyday driving.
The EX is offered in a two-engine lineup, a 3.0-litre diesel and a 3.7-litre petrol V6 from the 370Z. The diesel is good for 175kW and a large 550Nm of torque. The petrol will give you 235 screaming kilowatts and 360Nm of torque. Both engines are mated to a seven-speed auto box that learns your driving style over time. Shifts are smooth as silk and the downshift action when overtaking is simply dealt with.
As for the interior, space isn’t an issue in the cabin although the boot may be a little small for its class at 340-litres. Barring a few Infiniti touches – the clock on the centre dash and the Infiniti steering wheel, you would be forgiven for thinking you were in a top spec Nissan as it all looks a little to similar to be considered ‘more premium’. It’s the invisible extra stuff you get that makes the EX more than just a Nissan, safety features like intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning and blind spot warning with a few other neat camera tricks like all-round camera viewing with corner parking sensors make the difference in value.
Unfortunately most of the really cool features are only available on the absolute top of the range GT Premium model and for that you’ll have to pay out a substantial R667 406 for the petrol and R677 276 for the diesel. Pricey considering the company it’s trying to keep.
Pricing:
EX 30d Standard R595 000
EX 37 GT R626 000
EX30d GT R635 870
EX37 GT Premium R667 406
EX30d GT Premium R677 276
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