Introduced for the 2008 model year, this compact luxury crossover brought a more expressive, coupe-influenced shape to Infiniti’s lineup at a time when most small premium SUVs still leaned toward upright utility. It was positioned as a driver-focused alternative to conventional crossovers, with a low-slung stance, a premium cabin, and a rear-drive-based architecture that gave it a sportier character than many rivals. Infiniti later described it as one of the brand’s early crossovers to blend coupe-style design with SUV versatility.
The nameplate’s first generation ran as the EX35 from 2008 through 2012. It shared its underlying FM platform family with other Infiniti performance models of the era, and its launch was notable for bringing advanced camera and safety technology into the segment. The Around View Monitor helped set a new benchmark for parking assistance, while lane-departure technology further reinforced the model’s tech-forward image. Over time, the model was refined rather than reinvented, with updates to equipment and driveline hardware that kept it competitive through its run.
For 2013, Infiniti replaced the EX35 with the EX37, marking the end of the original nameplate’s continuous production. That later model kept the same basic concept but used a larger-displacement engine and a revised badge strategy. In hindsight, the EX35 is remembered as an important bridge between Infiniti’s earlier performance sedans and the brand’s later luxury crossover identity, and it helped pave the way for the QX50 that followed.