Ok, so your kids want a vehicle with plenty of room inside, an SUV perhaps. Your wife also likes that idea because she says that they make her feel safe and secure whilst driving, yet you still hanker after that fancy high powered sport sedan, what are you going to do? Well, Porsche make a rather nice, if somewhat peculiar looking, performance SUV, the Cayenne, so possibly that could solve the problem.

Yes, but the Cayenne is not exactly inexpensive is it. Of course, you could go for the base model at $58,900, but then your neighbors might suggest, “That’s because they couldn’t afford the Turbo version” ($124,300). This always seems to arise when someone selects the base model in a prestigious high-end lineup. The same could also be said for the Range Rover Sport as opposed to the full-sized Range Rover.

However, here’s a possibility that I’d like to throw into the mix, the Infiniti FX series.

Now I’m not going to suggest that the FX35 is true competition for the Porsche Cayenne’s and Range Rovers of this world, but they’re certainly heading in the right direction. The FX models stand out in the crowd just like the previously mentioned vehicles, yet the price point is considerably more pleasing to the pocketbook. The lineup starts with the FX35 Premium and as the nameplate suggests, it carries itself pretty well in the luxury SUV world. The base price for the FX35 is $50,700, and even if you add to that navigation, Mobile Entertainment, and the Infiniti Technology package, you’ll still struggle to reach $60K.

To call the FX series from Infiniti unique is not stretching the imagination much, because they certainly look different from most other SUV’s out there. First off, the bulbous, yet stylish front end would lead you to believe that there was something special under the hood, and you’d be right!

The FX35 comes with the brands award winning 3.5 L 24 valve V6 power plant (303hp), and when I say “award winning”, I mean exactly that. This engine is held in very high esteem by the industry and has numerous awards to its credit. It is also one of the best sounding power plants this side of a race track, which makes the FX35 a blast to drive.

Most CUV models have something to boast about; maybe they carry seven passengers, or resemble larger SUV’s, yet burn less fuel. The FX is all about performance and handling, and on that score it sits right up there with the big boys.

Yes, the Range Rover Sport or the German Porsche might turn one or two more heads, but when you factor in performance per dollar, the FX series leaves them standing in its dust. Its 3.5L V6 DOHC 24-valve engine, when coupled to the 7-speed automatic with manual mode, not only manages 0-100kph in just 7.3 seconds, but it also returns pretty reasonable fuel economy (13.3 L/100 city / 9.3 L/100 hwy). Not bad that, and because of its 90L fuel tank you’ll enjoy driving around 700kms before having to refuel.

Now I did say “enjoy driving”, and that’s exactly what you’ll do in the FX35 because it’s truly a fun vehicle to operate. Yes, its low-slung looks might hamper slightly its off-road capabilities, but be fair now, how many crossover owners ever go serious mud-bogging? The FX35 handles green lanes and cottage trails with ease (I know because I tried it!), and yet it can run rings around most other crossover SUV’s on the road. Its balance and handling characteristics are almost perfect when you consider the type of vehicle it is and what it can carry, and it feels more like a performance sports-wagon to drive rather than the reasonable sized crossover that it is.