Behind the wheel
The JX felt surprisingly light to drive. I can usually feel the size of any three-row vehicle when accelerating, but the 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine took next to no effort to get the JX up to speed. Using the drive mode selector, I switched out of Normal and into Sport mode to get the continuously variable automatic transmission to feel as if it were shifting through the gears, a sensation I prefer. Eco and Snow modes are there to play around with, as well as a manual-shift mode, which I would definitely use in my normal life traveling up and down mountain passes.
The other impressive feat is the JX35's ability to hug the road like a car when cornering, rather than tilting and rolling as you'd expect from an SUV or large crossover.
The standard front-wheel-drive JX35 (rated an estimated 18/24 mpg city/highway and 21 mpg combined) can be upgraded to all-wheel drive (dropping to 23 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined) for a mere $1,100, a feature I would take advantage of if purchasing one in my neck of the Rocky Mountain woods.
See also:
Features
There are some substantial standard features on every FX, including the lowly
FX35, but others that often come standard on the competition are packed in an
expensive option group. Standard equipme ...
Fuel gauge
The gauge indicates the approximate fuel
level in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during
braking, turning, acceleration, or going up
or down hills.
The gauge needle returns to 0 (Emp ...
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that tests the system each time you start the engine and move th ...