Revisions to the automatic transmission, clearly aimed at improving fuel economy, are largely responsible for this disappointing performance. Fortunately, the sequential mode of this 7-speed autobox makes up for it by allowing the driver to manage shifts with more authority. God bless those big magnesium paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Hot rod-worthy V8
While more people buy the FX35, everyone dreams of the flagship FX50. This hot rod, which replaces the old FX45, boasts a 5.0L V8 producing 390 horsepower, a 70-hp increase over last year.

The FX45 was faster from 0 to 100 kph than a Porsche Cayenne S. Since the FX50 is just a tad heavier, it should yield equally good results, if not better.

Our rather brief road tests in California were exclusively performed on public roads, so we were unable to make our own acceleration tests. But since the FX45 was faster from 0 to 100 kph than a Porsche Cayenne S (6.3 vs 6.6 seconds), and considering that the FX50 is only 39-kilo heavier, I believe that the latter's acceleration times will be eerily similar, if not lower.

Nissan Canada representatives were proud to announce that the 2009 Infiniti FX will deliver spirited performances without getting slapped with the Excise Tax on Fuel Inefficient Cars a.k.a. the Green Levy, unlike the FX45 (14.1 L/100 km combined city-highway rating). By comparison, the new FX50 averages 12.4 L/100 km. For buyers, this represents "savings" of $2,000.

Safety at the forefront
In Canada, every model is equipped with Nissan's ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system. (That acronym, by the way, stands for "Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split" -- phew!) It automatically distributes torque based on road and driving conditions, from a 50/50 split all the way to 0/100. This AWD system helps deliver stable, linear accelerations, particularly with the powerful FX50.

In Canada, every model is equipped with Nissan's ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system.

Infiniti relies on a host of advanced safety features to make the new FX very attractive. Just like the smaller EX35, it's optionally available with the Around View Monitor. Four cameras (one in the front grille, a second above the rear licence plate and the two others in the lower part of each sideview mirror) are linked to an onboard computer to offer drivers a real-time, bird's eye view of the vehicle's surroundings.

This technology makes parking maneuvers much easier, which is a blessing considering the girth of the vehicle and the limited rearward visibility. That way, you'll avoid running over your son's bicycle...

The automaker also included Intelligent Cruise Control, which automatically applies the brakes to maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead. While the previous system only worked beyond 40 kph, the new one is fully active from 0 to 144 kph (90 mph).