When Infiniti introduced the FX crossover in 2003, many people didn’t know what to make of it. Some fell in love with its aggressive exterior design, while others were put off by its “tennis shoe on wheels” looks. Still, you have to give credit to an automaker willing to stick its neck out in the name of design—which is exactly what Infiniti did. But what does one do for an encore? How much of the formula can you mess with? Those questions were heavily debated inside the halls of Infiniti’s design office. Surprisingly, given the radical design of the original, the decision was made to follow an evolutionary approach that addressed the downfalls of the previous model, while still maintaining those things that made the original FX so unique.

The FX is still a bit of a rolling shoe, although it’s now more akin to a Cavalli than a Nike. While the design team maintained the short front and rear overhangs, engineers stretched the wheelbase by 1.4-in. to make the interior roomier. This change also makes the design sleeker, a trait enhanced by the refined front fascia and a stronger front-to-rear shoulder line that provides more definition. Side air vents have been added for the ’09 model, a gimmick that even has appeared on Ford’s Focus—until, that is, Ford realized how ghastly it made the car look. It is one cue that the FX could do without despite claiming that, unlike the rest of the faux side vent crowd, the ones on the FX actually allow air to flow through the engine compartment and reduce front lift. Big deal. They look out of place.

Special attention has been paid to the interior, which is significantly upgraded. Gone are the cheap feeling plastics of its predecessor, replaced with high-grade soft-touch materials and switchgear that feels like it was developed for a high-end entertainment system, not a Wal-Mart special. The interior also incorporates Infiniti’s double wave design that makes it look like it was carved out of a single piece of material.

While the exterior and interior designs are enough to capture the attention of any discerning buyer, it’s what’s under the hood and attached to the wheels that makes the FX what it really is: a sports car-cum-crossover. Our top-of-the-line FX50 is equipped with Infiniti’s 5-liter V-8, producing 390 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission, which proved more than ample to keep up with one snob ion a Porsche Cayenne. Thanks to the immediate response of the transmission, there’s one story he won’t be sharing with his buddies.

What’s most surprising about the FX, however, is that while it measures in at nearly 191 in. long and 80 in. wide, it feels like a smaller sports car. Chalk it up to the four-wheel independent suspension, all-wheel-drive system, and a personality that asked to be pushed harder and deeper into each turn. Suffice it to say yours truly was a little timid considering that this is a vehicle that can transport five adults and all their gear with little problem., and not a sports car.

Conclusion:

Infiniti did what needed to be done to keep the FX fresh, but raised the bar when in terms of driving dynamics and interior comfort to levels that will surprise even those who still think it looks a little weird.