Lord Acton said it best: “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In the world of crossovers, the sheer power one feels while driving Infiniti’s 315-hp FX45 makes its driver want to blow past the mere mortals clogging his path. No other vehicle in this class and at this price devours pavement so readily, hangs on to corners so tenaciously, or makes so bold a stylistic statement. It’s…corrupting.

It’s also no surprise. The FX45 (and its six-cylinder sibling, the FX35) is built off the capable FM sedan platform, which by now is well known as the base for the Infiniti G35 Sedan and Coupe, as well as the Nissan 350 Z. It’s pieces also are found under the all-wheel-drive Nissan Stagea wagon in Japan, and the coming revision of the venerable Nissan Skyline. In addition, Nissan has made the conscious decision to produce eye-catching vehicles, even at the risk of turning off some potential buyers, in order to make a statement and grab the attention of those buyers who want something more, something different. And those folks, they contend, have been underserved in the near-luxury and luxury segment, and are willing to pay for the privilege.

In the case of the FX45, the price of entry is $44,200. That’s a substantial sum of money. However, it pales in comparison to more established competitors. A base Porsche Cayenne S, for example, starts at $55,900, BMW’s X5 4.4 starts at $49,950, and the Mercedes Benz ML 500 begins at $46,070. In terms of price, these are the FX45’s direct competitors. In terms of performance, the Cayenne Turbo ($88,900), X5 4.6 iS ($66,800), and ML 55 AMG ($66,620) are more realistic choices.

Eagle-eyed readers may question why the FX45 has so far escaped the epithet attached in an earlier review to the BMW X5 4.6 iS: “King of the Silly Trucks.” It’s not that there isn’t something inherently silly about a sport utility vehicle that is short on utility – like the ability to haul 4x8 sheets of plywood, roofing felt, or bags of manure in its useful but abbreviated and luxurious cargo area. Or that said utility vehicle is more of a lifestyle statement than a statement of purpose. One reason may be that the G35 wagon, er, FX45 doesn’t feel like a truck. It feels like a sport wagon. A fast, luxurious, raucous sport wagon. The comparatively bulky BMW and Mercedes do not. (The Cayenne has yet to be driven.)

Does this mean the FX45 is perfect? Heck no. It would be more palatable as a sport wagon, dropping the pretense of off-road adventure and truck-like utility altogether. Especially since it’s doubtful any owner will use this vehicle to race up mountainsides or cross streams. Though it is plausible it will be used to cut through downtown traffic, cover long distances in style, and attack twisty back roads with enthusiasm. Also, the 20-in. wheels and sport suspension mean the FX45 feels a bit stiff-legged at first, though they are responsible for its laudable on-road ability, and are fully in keeping with the expectations raised by the 4.5-liter V8’s seductive exhaust note. And the styling takes a bit of getting used to. Infiniti says the FX45 resembles a “bionic cheetah” on four wheels, but the high nose and raised seating position are at odds with the sporty high shoulder line and low greenhouse. It’s as if this crossover vehicle never fully crossed over, and must wander the roads as a creature that is neither fully fish nor fowl. Technically this makes the FX45 a beast, and a refined one it is.