Everyone expected Porsche's much more expensive Cayenne to trump the Bavarian, so reports of its prowess aren't upsetting BMW's applecart. But Infiniti, the Japanese automaker that recently upstaged the German brand's 3-Series for top performance rights in the entry-level premium sedan category, is about to strip the X5 of its longstanding SUV title as well. How can I be so sure? I just spent two glorious days in the driver's seat of its FX35 and FX45, which allows me to confidently announce an official upset.

When compared side by side the FX beats the BMW in almost every category. Its base 280-hp 3.5-L V6 is a solid winner over the X5's 225-hp inline-6. The Infiniti's torque rating is 270 lb-ft compared to the BMW's meager 214. Factor in the optional 4.5-L V8 and the FX45 hedges out the X5 again, but by a more marginal 25-hp and 5 lb-ft of torque - 315-hp and 329 lb-ft of torque in the FX45 and 290-hp and 324 lb-ft in the X5 4.4. To be fair BMW offers a more powerful 340-hp 4.6-L variant that bests the Infiniti - that is until comparing power to weight ratios. The 2,188 kg (4,824 lb) BMW 4.6is is quicker than even the much-touted Porsche Cayenne S with a ratio of 14.2 over 14.8, but the 1,917 kg (4,226 lb) FX45 conquers all with a 13.7 pound per horsepower ratio. The same scenario gets repeated when applied to the FX35, the number being 15.1 compared to the base X5's somewhat lethargic 20.4.