2012 Infiniti EX35

In the past, many of us have been guilty of approaching the crossover segment with the same zeal a toddler typically reserves for mashed peas. Equal parts revulsion, befuddlement and betrayal have danced across our faces as we've struggled to comprehend why anyone would willingly put their hard-earned money towards a vehicle saddled with inherently poorer driving dynamics and fuel economy. As lovers of curve-conquering wagons and hatchbacks everywhere, throwing a couple of extra inches of ride height into the recipe has rarely done us any favors. Not surprisingly, we find ourselves in familiar territory once again: far removed from even the outskirts of popular opinion

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In the past, many of us have been guilty of approaching the crossover segment with the same zeal a toddler typically reserves for mashed peas. Equal parts revulsion, befuddlement and betrayal have danced across our faces as we've struggled to comprehend why anyone would willingly put their hard-earned money towards a vehicle saddled with inherently poorer driving dynamics and fuel economy. As lovers of curve-conquering wagons and hatchbacks everywhere, throwing a couple of extra inches of ride height into the recipe has rarely done us any favors. Not surprisingly, we find ourselves in familiar territory once again: far removed from even the outskirts of popular opinion.

Last year, Honda sold a dizzying 218,373 CR-V crossovers, and despite fuel prices determined to bend us over and give us something to cry about, other automakers have fleshed out their lines with a wide array of high-riding vehicles. Ford boasts a total of five crossovers and SUVs in its stable, and it isn't alone. With vehicles like the Juke, Rogue and Murano, Nissan offers buyers a total of seven different models that fit into the segment. The news doesn't bode well for those of us who prefer a vehicle with superior handling mixed with the ability to haul people and cargo.

And there's virtually no refuge in the suede-lined halls of our favorite luxury manufacturers, either. Brands from every corner of the globe are cashing in on the CUV/SUV craze with unabashed ferocity. So when the2012 Infiniti EX35 showed up in the driveway, we braced ourselves for a week of eating our vegetables, now fortified with doctor-recommended understeer and an extra helping of body roll. But this isn't your typical CUV. With a 3.5-liter V6 pumping nearly 300 horsepower to the rear wheels and a lower-than-it-looks stance, this is a sport hatch masquerading in crossover clothing.

We can hardly be blamed for mistaking the EX35 as another member of the faceless CUV horde. From the outside looking in, the five-door presents itself as the awkward duckling of the Infiniti flock. Up front, the EX greets onlookers with a familiar face lifted from the likes of the G37 line. The company's rounded, chrome-plated grille and wraparound projector headlights help identify the model as a member of the family, but step to the crossover's side and the story shifts dramatically. In profile, the EX35 looks both small and somewhat strangely proportioned. With a rear hatch that leans far forward, a C-pillar defined by a sharp upkick and a tallish greenhouse offset by a long nose, the design seems caught somewhere between a baby beluga and a crosstrainer.

Pronounced haunches out back hint to the rear-wheel-drive goodness lurking undernearth the rounded wrapper, and the stylish 19-inch split-spoke wheels of our tester also helped lend the design a little sportiness. Unfortunately, dark black plastic trim traces the vehicle's lower hemisphere, eroding some of the EX35's premium presence. 

Regardless of what you think of the offbeat exterior, it's easy to forget the car's looks once you climb indoors. Infiniti has graced the EX with a beautifully appointed cabin. Handsome dark brown leather covers nearly every surface, from the scalloped dash and door panels to the often-neglected waterfall and center console. Lay a hand anywhere inside the EX35 and chances are you'll find your fingers tracing well-stitched hide. Attractive polished wood accents make up the difference, with splashes of brushed aluminum trimming the shift knob and shifter gate

The EX delivers a mere 107.1 cubic feet of total passenger volume.Buyers who know the Infiniti line will recognize the climate and infotainment controls as familiar hardware. The elements are common throughout a fair majority of the Infiniti stable and offer the same level of functionality. The plastic switchgear looks a bit out of place amidst the leather, wood and metal of the rest of the cabin, but the dials and buttons are easy to locate and operate. Likewise, the high-resolution, seven-inch display is coupled to a quick hard drive-based navigation system. The driver benefits from an eight-way adjustable power seat with heating and cooling, and our Journey-trimmed test vehicle offered up optional niceties like power lumbar support as well. The front passenger, meanwhile, gets a four-way power throne.

While the EX35 can technically seat five, with a 110.2-inch wheel base and just 182.3 inches from stem to stern, it isn't overly spacious indoors. With full-size adults in the front seats, rear legroom can turn cramped. Infiniti says rear passengers are left to contend with just 28.5 inches of rear legroom, which is far less than competitors like the Acura RDX at 38.3 inches and the Mercedes-Benz GLK350 at 35.1 inches. In fact, the baby Infiniti delivers a mere 107.1 cubic feet of total passenger volume. Throw open the back hatch, and the rear cargo area offers a modest 18.6 cubes with the back bench in place.