The 2012 Infiniti FX35 is the best FX35 model year, with the 2011 at #2 and the 2010 at #3. All three have the 303-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and 7-speed automatic, and NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for any of them. There is no 2013 FX35: Infiniti renamed it the FX37.
280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, all-wheel or rear-wheel drive
The original FX35 at the lowest price
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2012 Infiniti FX35 (S51)
Best value
2011 Infiniti FX35 (S51)
Best first generation
2008 Infiniti FX35 (S50)
Best facelift value
2006 Infiniti FX35 (S50)
Cheapest original
2003 Infiniti FX35 (S50)
The ranking
1
2012 Infiniti FX35 (S51)
Answrs VerdictThe best FX35 year.
Engine: 303-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, 7-speed automaticLaunch MSRP: $43,450 (FX35 RWD); $44,900 (FX35 AWD)New for 2012: Aggressive new front grille and fascia, a new 20-inch wheel design and an updated instrument clusterEPA fuel economy: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg (FX35 AWD)NHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed for the 2012 FX35
The 2012 FX35 got an aggressive new front grille and fascia, a new 20-inch wheel design and an updated instrument cluster. It has the 303-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and 7-speed automatic, started at $43,450 for the RWD model, and NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for it.
Go ifThe newest FX35 you can buy, with the refreshed face
Skip ifYou want the cheapest second-generation FX35
Why #1 over #2: It has the 2012 front-end redesign and updated instrument cluster the 2011 lacks.
2
2011 Infiniti FX35 (S51)
Answrs VerdictThe value pick.
Engine: 303-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, 7-speed automaticLaunch MSRP: $41,600 (FX35 RWD); $43,050 (FX35 AWD)New for 2011: Prices cut $1,250 on FX35 models; a power rear liftgate became standard; Navigation Package content moved into the Premium PackageEPA fuel economy: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg (FX35 AWD)NHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed for the 2011 FX35
For 2011 Infiniti cut FX35 prices by $1,250, to $41,600 for the RWD model, and made a power rear liftgate standard. It shares the 303 hp V6, 7-speed automatic and 18 combined mpg (AWD) with the 2012.
Go ifThe best-value late second-generation FX35
Skip ifYou want the 2012 front-end redesign
Why #2 over #3: It adds the standard power rear liftgate the 2010 lacks, at a lower launch price.
3
2010 Infiniti FX35 (S51)
Answrs VerdictThe connected S51.
Engine: 303-horsepower 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6Launch MSRP: $42,400 (FX35 RWD); $43,850 (FX35 AWD)New for 2010: Standard Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, a standard USB port for iPod, and a 2.0GB Music Box hard drive (without navigation)EPA fuel economy: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg (FX35 AWD)NHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed for the 2010 FX35
The 2010 FX35 made a Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System and a USB port for iPod standard and added a 2.0GB Music Box hard drive on cars without navigation. It started at $42,400 for the RWD model.
Go ifA second-generation FX35 with Bluetooth and USB as standard
Skip ifYou want the standard power liftgate (2011 onward)
Why #3 over #4: It has standard Bluetooth and USB, and NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns versus 1 for the 2009.
4
2009 Infiniti FX35 (S51)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first S51.
Engine: 303 hp at 6,800 rpm and 262 lb-ft, versus the previous FX35’s 275 hpLaunch MSRP: $40,950 (FX35 RWD); $42,350 (FX35 AWD)All-new: Second generation went on sale in June 2008 with a standard 7-speed automaticStiffer body: 1.6 times more torsionally rigid and 3.4 times more resistant to bending than the previous modelNHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaign listed (steering column, power tilt/telescope)
The all-new 2009 FX35 went on sale in June 2008 with 303 hp at 6,800 rpm and 262 lb-ft, up from 275 hp, plus a standard 7-speed automatic and a body 1.6 times more torsionally rigid than before. It started at $40,950 for the RWD model.
Go ifThe cheapest way into the 303 hp second-generation FX35
Skip ifYou want standard Bluetooth and USB (2010 onward)
Why #4 over #5: Its 303 hp V6 and 7-speed automatic beat the 2008’s 275 hp and 5-speed.
5
2008 Infiniti FX35 (S50)
Photo: SsmIntrigue / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best S50.
Engine: 275-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, 5-speed automaticLaunch MSRP: $37,950 (FX35 2WD); $39,450 (FX35 AWD)New for 2008: Standard XM Satellite Radio with a body-colored antennaEPA fuel economy: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg (FX35 AWD)NHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed, all for the front air bags
The 2008 FX35 was the last first-generation model, with the 275 hp 3.5-liter V6 and standard XM Satellite Radio. It started at $37,950 for the 2WD model; NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns, all for the front air bags.
Go ifThe last and best-equipped first-generation FX35
Skip ifYou want the 303 hp second generation
Why #5 over #6: It adds standard XM Satellite Radio to the 2007.
6
2007 Infiniti FX35 (S50)
Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe budget facelift.
Engine: 24-valve 3.5-liter DOHC V6, 275 hp and 268 lb-ft, 5-speed automaticPrice when new: MSRP $37,800-49,850 across the 2007 FX line (FX35 and FX45)New for 2007: Titanium-colored 18-inch wheels on FX35, an available iPod accessory and a seat belt reminder systemEPA fuel economy: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg (FX35 AWD)NHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed, all for the front air bags
The 2007 FX35 entered the year with minimal changes after the 2006 upgrade: titanium-colored 18-inch wheels, an available iPod accessory and a seat belt reminder system. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns, all for the front air bags.
Go ifA facelifted first-generation FX35 for less than a 2008
Skip ifYou want standard satellite radio (2008)
Why #6 over #7: NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for it versus 7 for the 2006.
7
2006 Infiniti FX35 (S50)
Photo: Rutger van der Maar / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe facelift year.
Engine: 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, 5-speed automatic with manual modeLaunch MSRP: $37,800 (FX35 RWD); $39,300 (FX35 AWD)Facelift: New grille, bumper, wheel design and three new colorsMade standard: 300-watt Bose audio, RearView Monitor, leather seating, heated front seats and a 7.0-inch color displayNHTSA recalls: 7 recall campaigns listed, including front air bag inflators
The 2006 FX35 got the facelift (new grille, bumper and wheels) and made the 300-watt Bose audio, RearView Monitor, leather, heated front seats and a 7.0-inch color display standard. It started at $37,800 for the RWD model.
Go ifThe first facelifted FX35, with far more standard equipment
Skip ifYou want the fewest recalls in the first generation (2007-2008 list 4)
Why #7 over #8: Its facelift and long list of newly standard features beat the 2005.
8
2005 Infiniti FX35 (S50)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe safety upgrade year.
Engine: 24-valve 3.5-liter DOHC V6, 280 hp and 270 lb-ftPrice when new: MSRP $35,100-45,400 across the 2005 FX line (FX35 and FX45)Safety first: Lane Departure Warning offered for the first time, the first automotive application of LDW in North AmericaMade standard: Roof-mounted curtain air bagsNHTSA recalls: 9 recall campaigns listed, including front air bag inflators
The 2005 FX brought the first automotive application of Lane Departure Warning in North America, and it made roof-mounted curtain air bags standard. The FX35 has the 280 hp, 270 lb-ft 3.5-liter V6.
Go ifA pre-facelift FX35 with standard curtain air bags
Skip ifYou want the 2006 facelift and standard Bose and RearView Monitor
Why #8 over #9: Its standard curtain air bags and available Lane Departure Warning beat the 2004.
9
2004 Infiniti FX35 (S50)
Answrs VerdictThe budget pick.
Engine: 3.5-liter VQ35DE V6, 5-speed automaticPrice when new: MSRP $34,550-44,675 across the 2004 FX line (FX35 and FX45)New for 2004: Standard eight-way power passenger seat, standard HVAC filter and a new Snow-Mode functionEPA fuel economy: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg (FX35 AWD)NHTSA recalls: 7 recall campaigns listed, including front air bag inflators
For 2004 the FX added a standard eight-way power passenger seat, a standard HVAC filter and a new Snow-Mode function. The FX35 gets 17 combined mpg (AWD) from its 3.5-liter V6.
Go ifA low-cost first-generation FX35 with Snow-Mode
Skip ifYou want standard curtain air bags (2005 onward)
Why #9 over #10: It adds Snow-Mode and the eight-way power passenger seat to the 2003, and NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns versus 10.
10
2003 Infiniti FX35 (S50)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe original.
Engine: 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, all-wheel or rear-wheel driveLaunch MSRP: $34,200 (FX35 RWD); $35,700 (FX35 AWD)Shared engine: The FX35 V6 is shared with the Infiniti G35 sport coupe and sport sedanEPA fuel economy: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg (FX35 AWD)NHTSA recalls: 10 recall campaigns listed, the most of any FX35 year
The original 2003 FX35 has a 280 hp 3.5-liter V6 shared with the Infiniti G35 and started at $34,200 for the RWD model. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns, the most of any FX35 year.
Go ifThe original FX35 at the lowest price
Skip ifYou want the fewest open recalls: check every one by VIN
How we ranked these
We ranked each FX35 model year on what it gives a used buyer today: engine power, standard equipment, EPA fuel economy and the number of NHTSA recall campaigns listed, using Infiniti press releases, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA. Second-generation (S51) years rank first. There is no 2013 FX35: Infiniti sold the 3.7-liter FX37 for 2013. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best Infiniti FX35 year?
The 2012 FX35: the refreshed second generation with the 303 hp 3.5-liter V6, 7-speed automatic and no NHTSA recall campaigns listed.
Is there a 2013 Infiniti FX35?
No. For 2013 Infiniti replaced the 3.5-liter V6 with a 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 and renamed the model the FX37.
What problems does the 2006 Infiniti FX35 have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2006 FX35, including front passenger air bag inflator recalls, a fuel filler hose that may crack and lighting compliance recalls. Check any car by VIN.
How much horsepower does an FX35 have?
The second-generation 2009-2012 FX35 is rated at 303 hp at 6,800 rpm, versus 275 hp for the previous-generation FX35.
Starting MSRP when new (FX35 RWD, as published) at a glance
2003 Infiniti FX35 (S50)34,200 US$
2006 Infiniti FX35 (S50)37,800 US$
2008 Infiniti FX35 (S50)37,950 US$
2009 Infiniti FX35 (S51)40,950 US$
2011 Infiniti FX35 (S51)41,600 US$
2010 Infiniti FX35 (S51)42,400 US$
2012 Infiniti FX35 (S51)43,450 US$
Starting MSRP when new (FX35 RWD, as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
