The dashboard is uncluttered, with broad expanses of pleasantly textured surfaces. There's no seam for the passenger SRS airbag, no Infiniti logo or label, elegant by their absence. The hood over the instrument cluster is topped with a satin finish, minimizing glare. In other words, nothing looks cheap; in fact, quite the contrary. Buttons and knobs return the expected quality tactile feel.
The center stack, with the stereo, climate and navigation system controls, is set in an aluminum frame housing large, adjustable airflow vents.
For 2008, this area is reworked and is better integrated into the dash. Inset in the top is the navigation system display, which also reports vital data about audio and climate control settings; watch for dust and other detritus to collect in the front of the opening. Also integrated for 2008 is the Infiniti Controller, which consists of a round selector knob with four arrow buttons and a central enter button. Developed along the lines of BMW's iDrive, Mercedes' COMAND and Audi's MMI central control systems, the Infiniti Controller is fairly easy to use but it might scare away some people who fear technology. The clock, an Infiniti-signature analog unit and a classic visual, is tucked away down at the bottom of the center stack, almost out of sight and therefore almost out of mind.
For 2008, the instruments have been improved. As before, they are of the floating luminescence type, but they have changed from simple orange faces on a black background to white numbers contained in blue circles on a black background. The always-lighted gauges can lead even an attentive driver into thinking the exterior lights are on when they are not. This is a good argument for leaving the headlights in automatic mode. The ignition key slot is in the dash, where we like for it to be. Real-looking, light-colored wood covers the center console.
The front windows have one-touch, auto-up/down power; a plus is that the rear door windows do, too. Another plus is the inclusion of power rear quarter windows. The brake and accelerator pedals are power-adjustable. This is especially useful for shorter drivers, allowing them to place themselves farther from the steering wheel where the airbag is housed. The memory for the driver's seat includes placement of the adjustable pedals and heated outside mirrors. Separate dual-zone temperature settings are provided for the driver and front-seat passenger. Rear passengers have their own thermostat as well. The 265-watt stereo includes a subwoofer among its 12 speakers.
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