2013 Infiniti JX

Until now, Infiniti’s only large luxury utility has been the full-size QX56. While a very capable SUV, its full frame design has little appeal to buyers seeking a more car-like driving experience. Clearly, to fully compete in this segment, a true 7-passenger crossover was needed. And now, it’s arrived with the name JX. So, let’s see if the all-new JX can inspire more buyers to “cross over” to Infiniti.

Well, it may have taken a while for Infiniti to join the 3-row crossover ranks, but the 2013 Infiniti JX35 proves that it’s not when you show up, it’s what you bring to the party that matters. Like many larger crossovers, the JX focus not on off-road capability, but rather on offering extreme comfort to pamper occupants along with flexibility to make daily tasks easier. Starting with the comfort aspects, the interior offers a look and feel that will please both current Infiniti owners as well as conquests from other luxury brands. 

The dash layout is familiar to Infiniti owners, with a definite cockpit feel, as most controls are driver-oriented but it’s still open enough to feel airy. The front seats are as comfortable as any seat you’ll find in your living room, and rear seats are almost as comfy with lots of leg room. The slide, fold, and tilt access to the 3rd row is one of easiest we’ve tried. But, as to 3rd row comfort, over 6-footers need not apply. Cargo capacity falls short of the big boy QX56 with just 15.8 cubic-feet of space behind the third row, but is larger than rivals Acura RDX and Audi Q7.

There are plenty of high-tech gadgets to keep your neighbors jealous including; Infiniti Connection Telematics with Google Calendar, Infiniti Personal Assistant, 15-speaker Bose Cabin Surround system with WaveGuide Subwoofer, and an around view camera with Backup Collision Intervention that will even apply the brakes to keep you from backing into something, as well as a host of additional safety aides.   

The JX also brings plenty of style to the segment, and while we’ll stop short of calling it beautiful, it is stunning to look at. The stance is low and athletic, with 114.2-inches between the standard 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20’s optional. The front end has a definite family resemblance with Infiniti trademarks like the double-wave hood and double arch grille. But the JX adds unique elements such as the long sloping roof-line with panoramic glass panel and jagged D-pillars. HID headlights are standard, as are big LED tail lights and a power rear lift-gate. Aerodynamic enhancements are located throughout the exterior, including a front underbody spoiler, rear hatch-mounted spoiler, and rear tire wind deflectors.

Behind the wheel, the JX35 feels very substantial. It doesn’t quite offer the plushness of some in this segment, but it rides fairly smooth and is more in tune with Infiniti’s overall sportier persona. There’s plenty of power for scooting around suburbia, but it can feel a little weak at highway speeds, which we mostly attribute to the CVT transmission. Even with manual shift capability, we’re not big fans of CVT’s although Nissan does make one of the best.   

Steering is extremely light, but not quite overboosted, and a Drive Mode Selector lets you chose between Standard Sport, Eco, and Snow settings. The only real difference we could feel in our short drive was that Sport Mode lets you rev the engine a bit more, but it’s certainly not thrilling. The JX is definitely designed to haul people in comfort, but not necessarily all their toys as towing capacity is rated at a mid-size-like 3,500 pounds. Odd since the upcoming Nissan Pathfinder with similar structure will pull much more. As the JX’s 3.5-liter V6 under the hood feels capable of much more. It’s the familiar VQ35 variable timed engine used throughout the Nissan lineup. Here it cranks out 265-horsepower and 248 pound feet of torque. 

The 2013 Infiniti JX35 is available in both front and all-wheel-drive. Both and share the same Government Fuel Economy City Rating of 18 miles-per-gallon of Premium. Highway Ratings differ by one, 24 for front drive, 23 for all-wheel drive. The JX’s best Energy Impact Score is 15.7 barrels of annual oil consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of 7.0-tons a year of CO2.

Pricing starts at $41,400 for the front wheel drive JX35. All-wheel-drive adds $1,100 for a total of $42,500. This may be the first 3-row crossover for Infiniti, but it appears to have all of the bases covered; comfort, luxury, and practicality are all in the lineup as the 2013 JX35 looks ready to go to bat against other luxury cuv’s. Nissan has further plans for this chassis, as it will also be the platform of the next Pathfinder. And while time will tell if they’ve truly hit it out of the park, our early scouting report predicts a heavy hitter has just arrived.