The 2011 Infiniti EX35 gets everything right, from its flowing gorgeous looks, to its technology-rich cabin.

It may seem like a distant memory, but there was a time when prominent, beefy station wagons ruled the roost of family transportation in America. Then came the SUV, ushering in a new age as American families shifted to higher, bulkier automobiles for nearly three decades.

However, the high cost of gasoline disbanded this group of buyers, and Americans rapidly moved to compacts, hybrids, and car-based crossovers.

There are a lot of compact luxury crossover utility vehicles on the road, but few can compare to the level of luxury offered by Infiniti through the EX35. The 2011 Infiniti EX35 gets everything right, from its flowing looks that match the larger FX50 to its technology-rich cabin.

The EX35's interior, on the other hand, is not only attractively styled and highly functional, but it can also be ornamented in rich hues that dare to deviate from the industry's standard gray, black, and tan.

When you add in features like self-healing paint and the Around Vision Monitor, which provides a 360-degree view outside the vehicle, the EX35 becomes the ideal crossover. In a nutshell, the 2011 EX35 combines utility, luxury, performance, and affordability into one appealing package.

Let’s take a closer look at the 2011 Infiniti EX35

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The 2011 EX35 rides and handles eerily similar to the G37 sedan from which it was derived. Although the EX35 isn't as powerful as the G37, it shares the same V6 engine and seven-speed transmission as the G37. It also has many of the same suspension components, making it one of the most enjoyable CUVs ever driven.

The car accelerates quickly and steadily from a standstill, and the steering is precise, with just the proper amount of weight in the steering wheel to make parking and high-speed maneuvers simple.

The new seven-speed automatic transmission is manual shiftable and comes with slick downshift rev-matching technology for smooth downshifts and exceptional performance. On wet or slick pavement, Infiniti's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system adds an extra layer of traction.

The system distributes power to the wheels using an electronic active center clutch, which Infiniti claims is substantially faster than a typical hydraulic layout.

When you combine the EX35's form-fitting front seats, excellent collision avoidance systems, and fantastic Bose sound system complete with iPod connection via the steering-wheel-mounted controls, you get a car that's ideal for long road trips or weekend getaways.

The Infiniti EX35 resembles a sedan rather than an SUV. It resembles a coupe coupled with a wagon. It has a lower seating position than a standard crossover and a sporty, swept-back design. For 2010, the cat's-eye headlights were subtly modified.

The Infiniti EX looks identical to the Infiniti G sedan line from the front. The small changes in their grilles and fascia make it challenging to tell the two apart in the rearview mirror. The crossover's slightly elevated stance and more expansive side mirrors are good signs that the sporty car behind it is not the sedan.

The various designs of the air intakes in the front fascia further identify the EX35 and G. The EX35's front end has sinuous, organic curves that flow into body sides defined by big wheel apertures pushed to the corners, similar to the G sedan's.

The EX, on the other hand, has a smooth character line flowing from front to rear, dipping in the middle and sweeping up at the back to give the crossover a dynamic rake, while the sedan's cross-section is a single, uninterrupted curve.

The doors and windows appear pushed back, and the roofline sweeps down in a coupe-like way at the back. The top of the rear hatch is virtually even with the back edge of the rear doors. The back of the EX35 most closely resembles an SUV, thanks to the rear hatch and high-set taillights.

Scratch Shield paint is available, which employs a clear coat designed to keep the paint's brilliance longer. According to Infiniti, it is self-healing. With the help of heat, the softer clear-coat repairs scratches by flowing back to a smooth finish over time.

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Dual front airbags, seat-mounted front side airbags, front and rear side-curtain airbags, brake-activated pre-crash seatbelts, LATCH child seat anchors, active front headrests, traction control, electronic stability control, ABS with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, and a rearview monitor are all standard safety features on all models.

The EX received the highest score of "Good" in frontal-offset and side-impact protection in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests.

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the base 2011 Infiniti EX35 is roughly $36,000, while the well-equipped Journey trim starts at around $38,000. A fully loaded EX35 Journey with all the eye-catching features can cost upwards of $46,000.

The 2011 Infiniti EX receives a reliability rating of 2 out of 5 from J.D. POWER. It has average ownership expenses since the average annual repair cost is $588. While repairs are more regular, the problems are less severe than in other vehicles. With an EX35, expect to make a few more trips to the shop, but only for minor concerns.

Marcus is a car enthusiast who loves writing about them. He travels frequently and always seeks out the best driving roads to really test a car's limits. His favorite cars are anything with a manual transmission, and he's been known to spend hours just shifting through all the gears.