The 2013 Infinity->ke36 FX37 has something of an identity problem. The FX35 was renamed to the FX37 and in 2014 it will be called the QX70->ke1261. The reason for the 37's name change is the engine displacement increased from 3.5-liters to 3.7-liters.

To make the identity issue worse the FX37's big brother, the FX50, will also become part of the QX70 lineup. The FX50 is currently, powered by a V-8 engine, but this is likely to change next year in favor of a turbocharged V-6.

With the 37's larger engine option the Japanese automaker is attempting to further increase the performance appeal of the luxury vehicle. This results in a focused vehicle that handles well when driven quickly.

The luxury crossover->ke288 had a facelift that debuted in the 2012 model, so for 2013 the styling remains the same.

It also provides a luxury interior with plenty of leather touches. Interior parts are of high quality materials as one would expect in a luxury vehicle.

Hit the jump to read more information about the 2013 Infinity FX37.

Exterior

The exterior is essentially unchanged from the outgoing model. It still has the large grille in the front fascia and the headlights retain their crisp lines. The nose is long and slopes at the front end, which gives the FX a rounded appearance at the front.

The FX37 is the Picasso of cars with its combination of angular lines and bubbly shapes. The chrome-trimmed air outlets just behind the front wheels are simply a non-functional garish that Infiniti slapped on to give the SUV a sportier look.

You either love or hate the styling with its odd combination of fluid lines and harsh angles.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The interior is pretty much what one would expect from a luxury vehicle.

It has plenty of leather all around with metal accents. The center console is large and prominent in the design, but has a lot of buttons, giving it a cluttered feel. With so many buttons, it is easy to get confused on what each button does. Just figuring out how to change the radio station may be like navigating a space shuttle.

The interior is much more cramped than the SUV’s outward appearance would make you think. When a car is largely about carting kids and cargo, you expect a lot of space inside and the FX’s styling realy limits its useable space.

Standard Features

- Infiniti Intelligent Key

- Bluetooth® hands-free phone system

- Leather seats

- 60/40-spiltfolding and reclining rear seat with fold-down center armrest

- Carpeted trunk and cargo area

- Leather-wrapped gearshift knob

- Driver and passenger seat back pockets

- Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors and sliding extensions

- HomeLink® Universal Transceiver

Drivetrain

The big change for 2013 is the new 325-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 engine – a variant of the 3.7-liter found in the Nissan 370Z. The FX37 will sprint from 0 to 60mph in 6.2 seconds and hits a top speed of 142 mph.

The six-cylinder engine has good performance, but requires that you rev it to get to all that performance. You'll need to hit 5,200 rpm to get all 267 pound-feet of available torque and 7,000 rpm to milk the available 325 ponies.

The V-6 has a nice sound from the outside of the vehicle, but on the inside it has a history of being a little buzzy. It also causes vibrations in the steering wheel, shifter lever and pedals when in the upper rpm range.

The engine is mated to a quick shifting electronically controlled seven-speed automatic transmission to apply all the available power.

Brakes and Suspension

In a luxury sports crossover, you want a vehicle that can handle well while not making the kids nauseous. The FX37 hits on one of those fronts and provides good handling, but at the expense of a comfortable ride. While it won't quite jar your teeth out of your head, the harsh ride keeps you from really enjoying the vehicle on long trips.

You would think with a firm ride would come good steering feel, but feedback in the steering is virtually absent and is similar to a video game steering wheel. The numb steering feel keeps you from connecting with the vehicle in any way while driving.

The FX37 is available with rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. On dry roads, the standard 265/60R18 tires keep the car glued to the road when you get onto a twisty stretch of highway.

Pricing

The 2013 Infiniti FX37 starts at $44,300 for the rear-wheel-drive model and $45,750 for all-wheel-drive.

Competition

BMW X6

Now the BMW X6 is a well styled crossover. It features classic BMW styling cues, as well as a fastback-style sloping roofline that gives the side profile a sporting look. It looks a lot like a BMW sedan all jacked up on high-test fuel. Like the FX37, the great styling does cause the X6 to lose a good amount of interior space.

In the X6, you have the choice of either the xDrive50i which is powered by a 4.4-liter, 400-horsepower TwinPower Turbo V-8 or the xDrive35i powered by a 300-horsepower, TwinPower Turbo in-line-6. The xDrive35i can go 0 to 60 mph on 6.3 seconds and the xDrive50i can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds.

Acura MDX

The Acura MDX has exterior styling with crisp lines, giving it a modern look. On the inside, you get leather throughout, as well as metal accent touches. In upcoming 2014 model, the interior lines flow much better than the outgoing model, so you may want to wait a few months for it to arrive. The MDX has much better storage and passenger space than the Infiniti FX37, making it a better option for buyers who need lots of space.

In 2014, Acura will install a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. It will go from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds and hit a top speed of 140 mph. The six-cylinder engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The MDX does manage to achieve good fuel economy for a vehicle of its size, as it is capable of 28 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city.

Conclusion

The Infiniti FX37 has unique styling and good performance, but at the expense of ride quality and interior space. The V-6 is a rather unrefined engine, which makes it hard to live with and until Infiniti refines this six-cylinder engine, the FX and the upcoming QX will continue to suffer.