Battle of the Xs

The EX crossover from Infiniti is going its own way, sticking two fingers up at BMW as it does so. Dan Read is impressed with this rival to the new X1.

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With a trumpet blast and some posh ceremonial ribbon, Infiniti has officially arrived in the UK. Over the last few months we've tried most of the range, but this is the first time we've been let loose in the EX37. And it's just as curious as the others.

Once you've got your head around the brand (Infiniti is Nissan's posh American cousin) you'll have to get it around the cars. Each is loosely based on the Nissan GT-R platform - a fine starting point - and each gets the 3.7-litre V6 from the 370Z.

The EX is no exception. It's a premium hatch/SUV crossover, nuzzled into a snug corner of the niche thanks to that engine and a rather sturdy £36,500 asking price for this GT version. It will go head-to-head with the BMW X1, though the EX is a smidge bigger and clearly more expensive, at least until you tick all the options on the X1 to match it spec-for-spec, at which point you've splashed £34,875 on the Beemer. That still undercuts the Infiniti, but then the EX gets a V6 over the 2.0-litre engine in the X1.

Inside, the EX is about as roomy as your average hatch, though you sit a little higher. It feels good in here, like being in the low-lit lounge of a boutique hotel; classy without being too bling, ideal for the more modest rapper.

Standard kit on the GT includes part-leather, heated electric seats, Bluetooth, and back seats that flip down at the touch of a button then rise again electrically.

About the only thing that taints the upmarket vibe is the tyre roar, which grows irritating after a while. But you could always use the monster stereo to drown it out.

With all that plushness comes a decent stab of power; its 316bhp engine will takes care of 62mph in 6.4 seconds and max out at 149mph. But use that performance over a typical British B-road and things get a bit fussy. It grips well enough - and the 4WD ensures there's great traction with it - but the car shimmies up and down, exaggerating the road surface where a BMW might flatten it. Hit an abrupt rise and it humps the tarmac a few times before settling down again. It's certainly playful, but after a while it grows tiresome.

The quick and direct steering is better, but only adds to the EX's incongruous mix of dignified luxury and kick-in-the-nuts performance. It's a bit like finding out that Keira Knightley enjoys the occasional cage fight. Maybe next year's V6 diesel version will get the balance right, combining ride and economy in a way that makes more sense in a luxo-car like this.

Rating: 11/20
We say: expensive crossover with a big heart and a luxurious interior. But it will need a diesel to make sense.
Price: £36,500