New competition: Infinity JX

[table5511]

http://www.infinitiusa.com/all-new-jx/

Although I'm guessing pricing will likely be a bit higher than the 9, likely closer to be aligned with the Audi Q7.

Still, very cool to see Infinity finally realizing that the QX56 is more like a Suburban.

 

[domcx9]

Compelling:

Adaptive Cruise control. I've put miles on a G37s sedan, and let me tell you... once you commute with their adaptive cruise, it's hard to be without it.
Dash/Controls. Theirs are some of the best. Really, really sweet.


Not so much:
CVT. If they can get this right, ok... but all the CVT's I've driven are just MEH. Expect this one to dull the experience.
Price. This can't start less than $45K. With all the bells and whistles, this has to be a $55K car.
Gas. It'll suck down premium like its siblings, with a (probably) 3.5l V6 pushing around 300-330hp. That should be good for a 17/25 rating.

Definitely worth test driving next year!

 

[crikey]

http://www.infinitiusa.com/all-new-jx/

Although I'm guessing pricing will likely be a bit higher than the 9, likely closer to be aligned with the Audi Q7.

Still, very cool to see Infiniti finally realizing that the QX56 is more like a Suburban.

If Mazda had a luxury division and built an upscale version of the CX-9, it would be very similar to this. To me, it seems like Infiniti looked at how to make a luxury version of the CX-9 and did just that. The layout of the interior is quite similar, even the way the 2nd row moves to access the 3rd row. They did add that trick articulation of the seat bottom to make the seat move further forward. That's a nice touch. The cupholders in the 3rd row are almost the same.

From what I heard, Nissan has perfected the CVT when combined with the VQ series engines. I owned an Infiniti FX35 before, and I do like the VQ engine compared to the Duratec that the CX-9 has.

A thorough testdrive would show how much better/worse the JX is, compared to the CX-9. The quality of the CX-9 is really good that it can be compared to vehicles costing much, much more.

 

[danz75]

This got my attention until I saw it has a CVT. I've driven a car with a CVT in the past and like domcx9, it is just meh.

 

[xarthan]

adaptive cruise control would be pretty cool with traffic jams.

 

[table5511]

Yeah, I agree that the VQ with CVT is a pretty sure bet now. Nissan makes rock solid vehicles. Personally, I think they are more reliable than toyotas or hondas.

 

[ceric]

JX is not going to be a competitor for CX9. The former will be above $50K
(the micro site says that there will be no FWD model - only AWD).
My bet is it will be in $50K to $60K range, while CX9 is between $25K to $41K.
Seriously, $20K buys lots of refinements and gadgetry.
The JX will be competing against Lexus GX, MB M-class, and BMW X5, Audi Q7, etc.
Personally, I will never pay more than $40K for any vehicle that is not a collectible.
Been there, done that. Not worth it.

 

[Platinum GT]

Personally, I will never pay more than $40K for any vehicle that is not a collectible.
Been there, done that. Not worth it.

AMEN!(iagree)

 

[RoadKing01]

I can attest to the VQ and the CVT being ,not just good, but a great combination.

I just traded in my 08 Altima 3.5SE with the CVT for my CX9 last month. I bought the Alty brand new, and loved that car. Put 30k miles on it in 3 years, and it was not even my DD. Great driving, comfortable, and fairly fuel efficient for as powerful as it was (Best trip 600 miles and 29 mpg). The only reason I got rid of it was the need of a 3rd row (another kid came along).

The reason I fell in love with my CX9 is that it is as close as I could find to my Alty, that met all of my requirements. It is not quite as fast, but handles and performs much better than the the other CUVs i looked at. I probably would have bought a Murano (brand loyalty) had they had one with a 3rd row, but it worked out for the best as I found the CX9 and absolutely love it.

BTW Infiniti makes a great vehicle, but they are very pricey. The CX9 will be a much better buy IMO. I have driven my father's Infininti FX and it is very nice, but even he admits he would not have bought it brand new. Too much $$$.

 

[table5511]

RoadKing, I as well had an Altima, a 2003 with 100k miles and a near perfect service record, no problems, and I would have bought a Nissan in a heartbeat, but the only problem is that like you said, they don't offer anything. All they have is a minivan, or 2 full frame suv's (Pathfinder & Armada, which are great vehicles, but they are full frame gas guzzlers with no performance aspects to them at all).

 

[RoadKing01]

I looked at the Pathfinder, and I liked it, but agree on the gas guzzler opinion. The Armada is just huge and very impractical. The Murano was a nice fit, but no 3rd row. And, I could never spend $30k + for a minivan. If Nissan was smart they would develop a spin off at a similar price point to the CX9 as they are missing out on a hot segment right now.

The European makes are priced way too high for what they offer. The upkeep is astronomical as well. Who wants to buy a car that will eat you out of house and home in maintenance costs as soon as the warranty expires.

The CX9 is a perfect blend of utility, cost, comfort, and performance. I would like to see one of these Infiniti's though. It looks like the closest any other make has come to matching Mazda's grand slam, but I am not sure if the added tech items will warrant the additional $10-15k they will charge for it.

 

[crikey]

From the specifications of the Infiniti JX, it seems that this is the first application of the Nissan FWD platform on an Infiniti. Ever wonder why Nissan hasn't updated the aging Pathfinder? With the current trend of converting body on frame vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango into unibody crossovers, there is a big chance that the next generation Pathfinder will be a FWD unibody crossover, borrowing heavily from the Infiniti JX. Remember the Nissan Pathfinder/Infiniti QX4 badge engineering? It seems that it might happen again, in reverse. I think Nissan realizes they have a void in the 7-passenger crossover segment and is busy preparing.

But, I'm also excited about how the Kodo design language will be applied on the next generation CX-9 with the SkyActiv engines/transmissions.

I looked at the Pathfinder, and I liked it, but agree on the gas guzzler opinion. The Armada is just huge and very impractical. The Murano was a nice fit, but no 3rd row. And, I could never spend $30k + for a minivan. If Nissan was smart they would develop a spin off at a similar price point to the CX9 as they are missing out on a hot segment right now.

The European makes are priced way too high for what they offer. The upkeep is astronomical as well. Who wants to buy a car that will eat you out of house and home in maintenance costs as soon as the warranty expires.

The CX9 is a perfect blend of utility, cost, comfort, and performance. I would like to see one of these Infiniti's though. It looks like the closest any other make has come to matching Mazda's grand slam, but I am not sure if the added tech items will warrant the additional $10-15k they will charge for it.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Not only technology but materials quality will likely be better on the JX. The CX-9 is a great car but you can see/hear evidence of cost-cutting. Well calculated cost-cutting mind you, but cost-cutting none-the-less. Still, like you not I'm not sure if the added luxury/tech is worth the money especially since most of these vehicles are no doubt shuttling kids- which are hard on car interiors.

 

[crikey]

The New Face of Mazda

More pictures here.

 

[sjg]

If Nissan was smart they would develop a spin off at a similar price point to the CX9 as they are missing out on a hot segment right now.

I'd bet Nissan is working on their version of this as we speak. In today's world, there is little sense in building a unique vehicle to sell in what would be the relatively small volumes the JX will sell. If I were Nissan, I'd be looking at the JX as the basis for the next Murano. With the Rogue in place the Murano can certainly stand to grow a little and add a 3rd row.