2010 Infiniti EX

Talk is cheap. Infiniti is the premium brand that forges ahead by quiet example, products that you find, embrace, and muse over well after, like the memory of summer love. Really.

The 2010 Infiniti EX 35 is no exception. The curves feel natural, worthy of utilitarian purposes, but with the interior accents expected of a dignified crossover, down to standard leather. The design is not new (it hit the road in 2008), but with the upgrade of new standard features, this vehicle is well-toned, no plastic surgery required.

The EX found it’s way to me on a snowy patch of ground at an airport parking lot at Metro. I put it to work immediately in the December chill, moving suitcases, shifting strollers, scurrying about to get out of the cold. The EX rewarded with me a climate system that instantly adapted (earning the name Advanced Climate Control System) by purifying the air, new standard heated mirrors and a spacious front cabin that made it quick and easy to settle in and get going.

Infiniti EX interior

Speaking of get-up-and-go, EX sprung to life with it’s capable 3.5 liter V6 engine and a standard 5-speed transmission cooking up 297 horsepower. Lean power matched with logical design resulted in exhilarating performance — always a plus in winter. Driving confidence is boosted by safety technolgoy.

While the streets had a fine sheen of slick the Distance Control Assist proved to be an improvement over a system I first faced in another Infiniti — lane departure warning in the 2005 M. At the time, it was a tech novelty to have the beeping watch of car eyes in the back of my head. Yet on the dicey LA I-405 the buzz was constant, annoying and inaccurate. But since it was new to me, I still thought the premise was cool. The car could peer into my blind spots, correcting driver error. The technology has become fairly common in the industry and I’ve experience variations on it most recently in the Taurus and Volvo XC60.

How far we’ve come in a few years. Casting their spin on it, Infiniti has Distance Control Assist,which calculates the distance to a vehicle directly ahead and warns visually, physically and audibly if it gets too close. It cooperates with Intelligent Cruise Control, which oversees speed and safe distance, and Intelligent Brake Assist, which alerts the EX35’s driver if a crash is coming, and applies brakes accordingly. And it still has Lane Departure Warning System that is more sensitive.

The Navigation features, which are wrapped in Bose and Around View™ Monitor Package. now utilizes Bluetooth Streaming Audio, XM NavWeather™ (XM® subscription required, sold separately) and the coveted Zagat (Hello fellow foodies!) Restaurant Guide. The Navigation Package is offered at no charge with the

And so with the EX’s nimble handling, tight woven form language and logical use of technology the destination is highlighted cozy ride, which was welcome solace on a cold winter’s night and short days to follow. All models are priced in relatively the same range, which makes for a very attractive package in any season: from $33,800 EX35 Journey to $37,400 on the EX35 Journey AWD, like the vehicle I tested.

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