Auto Word by Mark Maynard

It might not appear that the cargo area of the Infiniti FX could hold five golf bags behind the second row, but it will — and without using the sunroof.

Crossover vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, each trying to stake out an identity. There's no missing the FX.

By government designation, it's a station wagon, but Infiniti's PR guys will bristle at that term. The FX has an independent suspension and drives more like a sport sedan with cargo space than a modified utility vehicle.

Since the first-generation model came out in 2003, its niche has been a high-tech, high-fashion statement. Nothing else looked like it and few push that envelope today. Fewer still have the quality, refinement and interior detail of the FX.

The buyer of an FX might have wanted a Nissan 350Z, but the FX allows image integrity with room for kids, activities and weekend chores.

The 2009 model is a "mid-cycle" redesign. It's not entirely new but has revised exterior panels and more engineering for luxury and comfort. The wheelbase was stretched for a smoother ride, the front track is wider for a more pronounced stance and stability, and the cabin is quieter. It's easy to notice this model by the gill vents at the front fenders and the longer front section.

There are two FX models. They have V-6 or V-8 engines, a new seven-speed automatic transmission and rear-or all-wheel drive.

The V-6-powered FX35 starts at $41,775, including the $825 freight charge. All-wheel drive adds $1,400. The V-8-powered FX50 starts at $57,525 and includes AWD.

The FX50 tester was $65,775 and was a showcase of option packages, most of which were desirable.

While the engines are improved, fuel economy still isn't a selling point, but power is.

The new 5.0-liter V-8 has 390 horsepower — 70 more than before — with updated variable valve technology that helped raise fuel efficiency to 14 mpg city and 20 highway. That's an improvement from 13/17 on the 2008 V-8 model and, factoring all-wheel drive, those numbers may not seem so terrible.

The 303-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 was retuned for '09 and has a 25-hp improvement. Mileage ratings of 16/23 are up 1 mpg from '08. The all-wheel-drive model is rated 16/21, which also is a 1-mpg improvement in both ranges. Premium fuel is recommended for both engines.

Fortunately, the gas tank holds almost 24 gallons. Think of the driving range if this were a hybrid, but no such systems, or diesel, are planned for this generation FX.

Updating from a five- to a seven-speed automatic added another tick to fuel economy and helped acceleration. The manual mode also blips a downshift rev with a flick of the solid magnesium paddle shifters — big ones like Klingon battle blades, which are standard on the FX50.

Infiniti, the luxury side of Nissan, is all about embracing technology. Among the features standard or optional on the FX:

Distance Control Assist, which is cruise control at slow speeds in heavy traffic. Speed is adjusted by throttle or braking to keep a set distance from the vehicle ahead.

Intelligent Brake Assist gives forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.

Lane Departure Warning/Lane Departure Prevention system alerts the driver with prompts when the vehicle strays off course. But the prompts can become annoying.

Rear Active Steer (in the Sport Package) steers in the same direction as the driver at high speeds and the opposite direction at low speeds for tighter turning and easier parking.

Around View Monitor gives a bird's-eye view of the vehicle surroundings. Four cameras combine images into one as if from 10 feet above. It's a step beyond the rearview camera.

Scratch Shield Paint. Minor scratches and fingernail marks to the clearcoat are "healed" as an extremely elastic resin in the clearcoat warms and fills in the blemishes.

It may take a day or up to a week for the elastic to work, depending on sunlight and temperature.

And for those sensitive to allergens, the three-part climate control, with Plasmacluster filtration, removes mold, fungus and viruses, and it deodorizes. A grape polyphenol filter emits ions that cling to dust and other matter smaller than micron particles and drop them to the floor; then it deactivates allergens, leaving the air clean and fresh.

Distance control, intelligent braking, lane departure, even rear active steering can be saviors for those who duke it out morning and night in relentless traffic. The technology seems to work effectively now, but after three years the systems will evolve and be faster, lighter and more effective. Will that cause the original system to be viewed as dated and a drag on resale value? Possibly, but the systems can be switched off and ignored by the driver.

But features such as overhead views, scratch-filling paint, thigh bolsters, quilted leather, air-conditioned seats and other conveniences will always be appreciated — as long as the electronics work.

There's a vibe to the FX — in the driving and how it looks. It's how the engine fires with a rev after pushing the start button. It's how solid all the components work and how rich they feel.

This isn't a vehicle for everybody, but for owners coming back for a look, many of their wishes likely will have been granted.

SPEC BOX

Body style: five-passenger, all-wheel-drive crossover

Engine: aluminum, 390-horsepower, 5.0-liter, 32-valve DOHC V8 engine Variable Valve Event & Lift

Transmission: seven-speed with magnesium paddle shifters

EPA fuel economy estimates: 14 mpg city, 20 highway; 91 octane recommended

Fuel capacity: 23.8 gallons

DIMENSIONS

Cargo space: 24.8 cubic feet to 62 with seats folded

Front head/leg/shoulder room: 39.3/44.7/57.3 inches

Rear head/leg/shoulder room: 38.5/34.6/57.4 inches

Length/wheelbase: 191.3/113.6 inches

Curb weight: 4,575 pounds

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: Intelligent Key lock/unlock and push-button starting, around-view monitor, advanced climate control and filtration system, Bluetooth phone system, leather upholstery, eight-way adjustable (heated and cooled) front seats, 60/40 split second row, solid magnesium paddle shifters and aluminum-trimmed pedals, visors with extenders, covered and lighted vanity mirrors, hand-stained maple trim, cargo net and cover, hard-drive navigation system with 8-inch screen, 11-speaker Bose audio system with 9.3-gigabyte Music Box Hard Drive with compact flash slot, 21-inch Enkei lightweight wheels

Safety features include: dual-stage front air bags, side bags, curtain air bags, traction and stability controls, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and four-wheel (four-channel and four-sensor) ABS

CHASSIS

Brakes: four-wheel discs; 14-inch vented discs front, 13.8-inch rear

Steering: Power-assisted vehicle speed variable-assist rack-and-pinion; 36.7-foot turning circle

Suspension: aluminum, four-wheel independent

Tires: 265/45R 21-inch all-season

PRICING

Base: $57,525, including $825 freight charge; price as tested, $65,775

Options: Sport Package, $3,000, includes adaptive front lighting and auto-leveling front headlights, Rear Active Steer, sport seats, dark tinted headlights, driver's seat power bolster adjustment with thigh extension for driver and passenger, continuous damping-control suspension

Technology package, $2,900, includes Lane Departure Warning system, intelligent cruise control, front pre-crash seat belts, distance-control assist, intelligent brake assist, rain-sensing wipers

Premium package, $2,350, includes heated-cooled front seats, Bluetooth, iPod interface, two-position driver's seat memory, mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature, power tilt-telescopic steering column, magnesium paddle shifters, aluminum pedals, quilted leather-trimmed seats, sandblasted aluminum roof rails, cargo cover and net

Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard@uniontrib.com. To find out more about Mark Maynard and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.