The Infiniti FX50: The Forgotten V8 SUV That Took on BMW and Porsche

Performance SUVs are everywhere now. Walk into any luxury dealership and you'll find a high-horsepower model staring back at you, often with a six-figure price tag to match. But before the BMW X5 M Competition and Porsche Cayenne Turbo became household names, there was a quiet contender from Japan that packed a serious punch: the Infiniti FX50.

0-liter V8 producing 390 horsepower, enough to outmuscle both the X5 and Cayenne at launch. Yet today, it's largely forgotten. Let's take a closer look at why this SUV deserves a second glance.

The FX50 wasn't just fast on paper. Independent tests from MotorTrend and The Truth About Cars showed it held its own against German rivals, thanks to a grippy all-wheel-drive system biased toward the rear wheels and paddle shifters borrowed straight from the Nissan GT-R. 2 seconds and hit a governed top speed of 155 mph.

Inside, the cabin was well-appointed, and the exterior styling still turns heads today. But despite all that, Infiniti sold fewer than 12,000 units worldwide. The timing couldn't have been worse, the FX50 launched right as the financial recession hit, making its $58,400 starting price (about $91,000 in today's money) a tough sell.

For those who can find one on the used market, the FX50 offers a rare combination of performance, reliability, and affordability. The VK50VE engine is known for its durability, and owner complaints are scarce, RepairPal estimates annual maintenance costs around $755. Used prices range from about $8,000 for a 2009 model to $14,000, $15,000 for later examples.

Cargo space is tighter than the X5, and fuel economy is middling at 16 mpg combined, but that's a small price to pay for a V8-powered SUV that still surprises drivers today. If you spot a clean FX50, don't let it slip away, it's a piece of Infiniti history that's only becoming rarer.