Infiniti calls the EX35 “a fusion of coupe and sport-utility vehicle.” If this compact CUV packs the punch of the G35 sedan, watch out! The EX35 arrives soon.

Riding on a 112-inch wheelbase, the EX concept uses the same FM platform as Infiniti's G35 sedan. What’s more, the EX35 is powered by the same engine as the new G35 sedan with 297-hp and 253 lb/ft of torque. That should do quite nicely for this compact sport utility vehicle. After all, it exceeds the power in the Acura RDX and the BMW X3.

Infiniti has confirmed a few other standard features: a five-speed automatic transmission, speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, four-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA). The EX has independent double wishbones with anti-roll bars in the front and multi-link setups with anti-roll bars at the rear, just like the G35. In fact, it sounds like a G35 in wagon trim. Infiniti noted one variance from the G35 platform: rear shock absorbers mounted lower to make cargo capacity competitive.

Even in size, these two are not that far apart. The EX35 is five inches shorter than the sedan, but it is about an inch wider and four inches taller. While it sits a bit higher than the G35, it measures only 6.5 inches from the ground with rear-wheel drive and 5.7 inches with all-wheel drive. The EX has a distinct advantage in cargo space, though. With both rows of seats in place, the EX35 has 16.8 cubic feet of space compared with the 13.5 cubic feet available in the sedan. Push a button, and the second-row power-folding seats disappear to significantly expand the available stowage.

So let’s see what we have here: the EX35 gets the 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed automatic transmission (with requisite rev-matching on downshifts now used on other FM-platform-based Infinitis, such as the G35/M35 sedans and the FX35 SUV. The base models are rear-wheel-drive and ride on 17-inch wheels, but all-wheel drive and 18-inch wheels are available. It will seat five and offer a long-list of tempting electronics and entertainment options. Infiniti says the EX35s will be the most luxurious interior of any in the lineup. The price is expected to slot in around $35,000 for a base EX35.

Infiniti says the EX35 will be loaded with unique features, one of which is a “scratch shield” paint that is self-healing and can repair light scratches over time. Another nifty item is an optional Around View Monitor system that shows the driver a 360-degree representation of the vehicle and surrounding obstacles. A lane departure warning system will also be optional. Instead of signaling audibly that the car has wandered out of its lane, this system uses the vehicle’s stability control system to gently nudge the vehicle back into line.

According to Infiniti, the target market is America’s “style seekers,” a financially comfortable group consisting of active singles, young couples and empty nesters. They are half male and half female. They make between $120,000 and $140,000 a year, and 60- to 70-percent are college-educated. Sounds great, but that is still a niche market. But aren’t all Infiniti cars and SUVs niche machines?

True! Infiniti specializes in specialty vehicles with sufficient appeal to cut across the usual niche market borders. This has been a successful strategy since 2003 when the original G35 sedan scared BMW out of their 3-Series wits. A bit later, the FX and QX56 came along to create the luxury crossover SUV market. Then the Infiniti M arrived to stir up things at Lexus and Mercedes, brands once thought to have a lock on the mid-size luxury sedan segment. When Consumer Reports called the Infiniti M “the best car we ever tested,” buyers took notice and Infiniti hasn’t looked back.

This is why the Infiniti EX35 is expected to shake up the compact luxury SUV market. Once again, Infiniti has found a way to bushwhack the competition with a vehicle so superior to its competition that it requires an entirely new generation from the rivals just to catch up. Look for the EX35 soon!

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