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By James Gaffney Automotive writer Time was when conversation at my dinner parties was bright and clever and moved smartly through topics ranging from art and architecture to religion, politics and travel. But since the end of last year when I began writing an auto column, my tidy circle of formerly erudite sidekicks has become obsessed with the SUVs...

By James Gaffney
Automotive writer

Time was when conversation at my dinner parties was bright and clever and moved smartly through topics ranging from art and architecture to religion, politics and travel. But since the end of last year when I began writing an auto column, my tidy circle of formerly erudite sidekicks has become obsessed with the SUVs I drive and — ready for this? — cargo space. And, more succinctly, why I don’t make a big deal out of this particular aspect in this column.

“Have you all lost your minds?” I asked over dinner one evening.

Perhaps I stand in error with my theory that unless you’re hauling motion picture cameras or large zoo animals (and none of my friends do), the average SUV buyer will make determinations about a vehicle’s cargo worthiness first and foremost by — I dunno — looking in back and deciding whether it seems sufficiently roomy for the occasional luggage and dogs he lugs to the airport and beach, respectively.

To test my theory, I used the SUV crossover I drove this week as an example:

“The Infiniti EX35 has 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats,” I told my dinner comrades.

Pause. “Ahhs” and nods of admiration ensued.

“But none of you know what 18.6 cubic feet really looks like, do you? Or whether it’s functionally better than 17.6 cubic feet or worse than 19.6 cubic feet,” I said. “And neither do I.”

And, truth is, I don’t care. In fact, if push came to shove, I would gladly adjust my so-called cargo needs — and, quite frankly, do whatever else was necessary — if it meant I got to slip behind the wheel of the EX35 every day. Quite simply, this elegant SUV crossover-meets-sports-coupe is as beautiful to look at in the driveway as it is a blast to drive on the road — even if it had zero cargo space.

Photo by James Gaffney/The Times-PicayuneMonster in the monitor
Then there is the top-down image of the car you see on the touchscreen thanks to the optional Around View navigation monitor. Four cameras (mounted in front and rear, plus under both sideview mirrors) work together to produce a real-time, bird’s-eye composite view of the car that enables drivers to see precisely what is on all four sides when in reverse or parking (see photo above). It virtually eliminates blind spots. At first this feature left me feeling like a “subject of interest” of a Cold War spy satellite. But then I realized that with Around View even my 82-year-old mother could parallel park in a cramped spot on a hilly street in San Francisco.

Talk about smart engineering for the ages.

Naturally, I couldn’t resist placing my hand under the camera mounted by the driver’s sideview mirror just to see what it would look like on the monitor.

Result? The car looks as through the sideview mirror is being attacked by a giant monster hand, one belonging to a doofus with nothing better to do at red lights.

Photo by James Gaffney/The Times-PicayuneFew would refute the suggestion the EX35 offers so much exterior and cabin style as to redefine the label “five-passenger midsize crossover.” But wait until you put the pedal to the metal and discover what the automaker calls the “Infiniti swell” acceleration feel. No doubt about it — putting the same sporty 3.5-liter V6 engine used for the G35 sedan in the EX35 was not only a smart move but also virtually guarantees miles of smiles when the five-speed transmission’s adaptive shift control unleashes the 297 horses under the hood. This crossover’s great, almost intuitive road reflexes (not to mention comfortable and flexible handling and solid suspension), have few equals in t

Tags: Hyundai, Infiniti, is-featured

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Untitled article was originally published by New Orleans Auto Reviews: Hyundai. Read the full story by clicking here.