Infiniti EXSeptember 2010

Ok, so the world hardly needs yet another big SUV, but the EX is actually a welcome addition to the class. Although it is effectively a top-level extention to Nissan, Infiniti is adamant that it is not the same as Toyota's Lexus - Infiniti is about performance, while Lexus is more about comfort. Driving the EX, you can see what they mean. Its handling is far more entertaining than you would expect, until you learn that its chassis largely comes from the Nissan 370Z sports car and its 4x4 system is related to the one found in the awesome Nissan GT-R supercar. With DNA like that, it could hardly fail to be more dynamic than most of its rivals.

Backing up the chassis is a diesel engine developed specifically for Europe. It is distantly related to the Renault 3.0-litre V6. But Infiniti (which is related via the Nissan-Renault Alliance) has redesigned most of it to give one the most petrol-like diesels we have ever driven. It is very keen to rev and even sounds like a slightly deeper-voiced petrol engine. You would have to be a very strange fish to choose the thirsty 3.7-litre petrol engine in this car.

The interior is very well-equipped and extremely luxurious. Infiniti has tried hard to convey an air of international luxury, rather than the traditional Japanese buttons-with-everything approach. We can't say it matches the latest Jaguar XF or XJ for ambience, but it does feel like a genuine luxury car, rather than a mass-market design that has been tarted up with lots of kit.

The only real issue with EX is the fact that it is surprisingly small inside. It can carry four people in comfort, but they will struggle to fit in much luggage - there is actually more space for suitcases in a family hatchback. However, if you don't need space, the EX is a surprisingly good left-field competitor. The designers had a clear vision of what they wanted from this car and they have succeeded. It is a very sporty SUV and anything that could compromise that goal has been ignored.