New for 2012

New for 2012  - 2012 Infiniti FX35 Review - Reviews - Infiniti FX

Always a polarizing design, the FX has changed incrementally, again, for 2012, with a new grille that one of our editors thinks is an improvement. To me, it's a step back. (For a while, Infiniti grilles were always different and interesting from one model to the next. Alas, they're growing similar across the lineup.) Also new for 2012 is the all-wheel-drive FX35 Limited Edition, the version we tested. It introduces Iridium Blue paint — a crowd-pleaser — and includes 21-inch wheels and supposedly dark-tinted headlights and side vents, though they don't look very dark to me.

Thankfully, the Limited Edition also adds some otherwise optional features to justify — or perhaps just explain — why it costs $52,000, which is $6,850 more than the base FX35 with optional all-wheel drive: A navigation system, the terrific Around View Monitor, aluminum pedals, floormats with blue piping, and a full roof rack are all included. For 2012, all FX models have white gauge backlighting, replacing the previous generation's orange lights.

    See also:

    Octane rating tips
    Using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating lower than recommended above can cause persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If severe, this can lead to engine damag ...

    Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
    The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system uses various sensors to monitor driver inputs and vehicle motion. Under certain driving conditions, the VDC System helps to perform the following functions: ...

    Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test
    A vehicle equipped with Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) should never be tested using a two wheel dynamometer (such as the dynamometers used by some states for emissions testing), or similar equipment. ...