Infiniti EX37 (2008) CAR review

It’s taken four years of planning to realise this Infiniti EX37 launch. Nissan’s Infiniti 'premium brand' is about to make a bridgehead into Europe, and it’s this EX37 SUV-lite experience that it expects to take the majority of sales.

Hang on a moment; 'surely there’s some mistake,' you say. Surely, considering the current economic and social climate, a 316bhp, petrol-powered, faux SUV really isn’t what the UK needs right now? And there’s no diesel option yet either? Infiniti cannot have foreseen the current market conditions, of course, so regardless of any dubious timing, has the EX37 been worth the wait?

Tell me more about the new Infiniti EX37?

Apparently it’s a 'crossover', a tag bandied about with zealous abandon lately, but which feels about right in this case. In the metal the EX37 genuinely does look like the curious offspring of a coupe and an SUV – it's 16cm lower than a Land Rover Freelander, with a long-ish bonnet and big wheels in relation to the overall body height – and secondly, it really does turn heads. Let’s face it: if you’re in the market for something a bit different, that is a vital commodity.

Ok, so you can’t miss it on the high street. But would you want to be behind the wheel?

The Infiniti EX is about as far removed from green-laning as a 110 Landie is from scything through Silverstone’s Copse corner. Yes, it is four-wheel drive, using Nissan’s acronym-heavy ATTESSA E-TS set up that includes an LSD, but there is no mention of deep wading or climbing muddy hillocks here. Instead there is talk of outdoor sports, enhanced practicality and, yes, that ubiquitous ‘sporty drive’.

Nevertheless, the basics are promising. The EX37 is spun off Nissan’s FM platform – as are the G37 Saloon and Coupe – sharing genes therefore with the 350Z. So we’re talking fully independent multi-link rear suspension and a meaty V6 mounted well back in the chassis (weight distribution is quoted as 54:46 front/rear).

This is the latest 3.7-litre V6 featuring variable valve timing, and it has been remapped to meet Euro emission regulations, combining that aforementioned healthy power output with 266lb ft of torque and driving through a new seven-speed auto ‘box.

The really key fact, however, is that the EX – like the complete Infiniti range – has been tuned for European roads and tastes, and part of that development work was carried out at Nissan’s Cranfield technical centre in the UK.

Click 'Next' below to read more of our Infiniti EX37 first drive review