Infiniti's designers wanted three separate interior "zones" intended to meet the needs of various FX occupants. The cockpit-style driver zone is supposed to "maximize driving excitement." The steering wheel and gauges remind us of those in Nissan's 350Z sports car, with a thick, squeezey rim and big gauges that move when the column tilts to optimize viewing angle. Given this sports car climate, we half expected to grip a six-speed manual shifter in the FX. For now, you'll have to settle for a five-speed automatic. The climate, stereo and navigation controls are densely arrayed in the center stack. They look cool, but you have to literally look at them to operate them. It requires a little more attention than we prefer to devote to adjusting a switch and it's our primary issue with the FX interior.
The FX's "comfort zone" is reserved for the front passenger, who gets the same range of seat adjustments as the driver, a separate adjustable center armrest and individual climate controls.
The "play zone" (the rear seat) has personal reading lamps, a center armrest with tray and storage, seatback pockets for storing DVDs and magazines, reclining seats and chest-level air-conditioning vents. The optional DVD player has a seven-inch screen, a remote and two sets of wireless headphones. The play zone is surprisingly comfortable. Three adults fit comfortably in the split rear seats, and the recline feature makes it much more accommodating for taller folk than the rear-sloping roof might suggest.
The FX has plenty of clever storage spots, including a lockable storage box in the center console with enough room for larger items like a purse. The door pockets flip out, and there are three hidden bins under the rear cargo floor. The rear seats fold flat easily with simple levers that are accessible from the side doors and the rear. The sculpted rear hatch pops with an electro-magnetic release.
Total cargo capacity (64.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded) is less than many square-shaped SUVs, but larger than some others, including the class-trailing BMW X5. Infiniti says it placed a higher priority on floor space than sheer volume, and the FX has a larger load floor than the X5 or Lexus RX330. Of course, that means its floor-to-ceiling measurement is shorter, as is the size of the opening under the sculpted hatch. At 30.6 inches, the load height is higher than that in some other SUVs.
The optional 300-watt, 11-speaker Bose stereo was tuned for the middle-aged mid-life crisis male, and it seems to sound best blaring classic rock at high decibels. Infiniti says it worked with Bose specifically to emphasize bass and treble for rock and roll. Yet for the ease of those aging rockers, the FX can be operated without the key. With the Intelligent Key option, as long as the driver has the remote key fob in purse or pocket (with the corresponding correct transponder code), he or she can unlock and start the FX with buttons on the doors and dash. Next Page