Infiniti shook up the crossover market in 2003 when it introduced the mid-size luxury FX. Its aggressive design really set Infiniti apart from comparable offerings by BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Now the Japanese near-luxury brand has taken that “stand out from the crowd” design ethos and shrunk it down for the smaller EX crossover and the results are nothing less than stellar.

Built on the G35 sedan platform, the EX starts off with one of the best-balanced foundations when it comes to sporting handling. To accommodate additional space for gear and occupants, Infiniti’s engineers stretched the G35 platform 2-in., while the body was lengthened by 4.7-in. (to 187 in.) and ride height increased 4.7 in. Yet, the EX feels more akin to a sports car than a crossover which could be due in part to its relatively light weight—tipping the scale at 3,752 lb., for the rear-wheel-drive model, which is just 255 lb. heavier than the G35 sedan. It also doesn’t hurt that the suspension is pulled whole from the G35, and shared with the FX.

Infiniti’s signature 3.5L VQ V-6 sits like a gem under the EX35’s hood, producing 297 hp and 253 lb.-ft. of torque (9 hp and 15 lb.-ft. less than the sedan), which is more than enough muscle to move the EX at a brisk pace. Steering is sharp and precise, though it proved to be almost too touchy while driving on less than perfect roads during a recent snow squall. It is joined by an overly enthusiastic traction control system that seems ready to interfere even if there are only a few pebbles on the road, and brought the rear-drive EX to a crawl on a small patch of ice.

Nonetheless, the EX’s modern exterior design caught the attention of many onlookers, while the interior is tastefully done with high-quality switch gear. The only negative: designers placed three vertical lines on the lower section of the IP in line of sight of the passenger. They say the purpose of the lines is to break up the plainness a blank slab of leather would have brought. Unfortunately, the creases look like, er, giant butt cracks and stand out like another part of the anatomy – a sore thumb.

Nevertheless, the EX stands out as an attractively priced—base price starts at $31,300—spirited and fun-to-drive crossover.

Chris Sawyer’s take on the EX:

I couldn’t figure out the EX35 when I first saw it. Why build this crossover on the same platform on which the Infiniti FX is built? True, you can get a V8 in the FX45, and the smaller engined FX35 uses the same 3.5-liter VQV6 as the EX, but with 22 fewer horsepower and 15 more lb-ft of torque. The wheels on the EX are smaller – 17 and 18-in diameter versus 18 and 20-in units on the FX – though the brakes are exactly the same size. Granted, the wheelbase of the EX is exactly 2.0-in. shorter and its overall length is 6.8-in. less, but it is a surprising 4.8-in. wider and 2.4-in. taller than its FX “big” brother. What gives?

Despite what the numbers say, the EX’s sleeker roof profile draws down over the rear seats, a feeling heightened by the effect the shorter wheelbase has on rear seat room. It’s not uncomfortable in the rear seat, but the tighter quarters make it tough to slip in and out of the space with elegance. BMW may think it invented this segment, but the sportier and more masculine X6 – available with a twin-turbo V8 –is not the first coupe crossover to hit the market. The EX35 wins that race.

About that masculinity difference. The EX has a feline shape, but it is lacking in the “bionic cheetah” aggression of its FX brother, not mention the Euro-cool brawn of the BMW. That places the EX in a different market, one where on-road aggression is less important that sleek, fluid lines. This is emphasized by the nearly obsessive detailing seen throughout the EX, especially the interior. The thin chrome surrounds framing the upper dash vents are but one example of this fanaticism, and give the interior a subdued but upscale feel.

These things all come together the first time you sit inside the EX35. There is an almost supernatural correctness to the seating position and control layout, so much so that – once on the road – you find yourself quickly going about the business of driving – or, more accurately, the business of driving quickly – with nary a thought. And that, quite simply, is a sign of a vehicle that has been developed to work as a system, not a collection of perfected pieces.

Am I in love with the EX35? I guess, but only in the sense that – as one who has little use for SUVs in his personal life – this vehicle is quick, quiet, and comfortable from the very first time behind the wheel. And that, it should be noted, is not often the norm.