All of this heft and performance has a drawback, though: The FX50 manages only 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway, a bit low even by performance crossover standards.
The exterior is sleek and sharp in all the right places. To say that it is more of a looker than the BMW X5 wouldn't be an overstatement. Where the BMW can seem reserved, the INFINITI begs you to stare as it slips by in the passing lane.
The FX50's interior is as good as most competitors -- outdone, perhaps, by the more expensive Porsche Cayenne S. Well-trimmed leather seats come heated, even in the back. Easy-to-read gauges have a classy look. There's an 11-speaker Bose audio system, and the FX50's navigation system may be one of the best on the market. Rear-seat legroom is good, as is cargo space. A small rear window hamper visibility, though.