BMW is often credited with kicking off the coupe-like SUV craze with the original BMW X6, designed under the guidance of Chris Bangle and unleashed on the market for the 2008 model year. However, Infiniti already had an SUV on sale for several years by then that played a similar game, trading some practicality for style by featuring a roofline that tapered back at the rear to create a more rakish coupe-like profile.That vehicle was the Infiniti FX, and it did much more than just look the part. With available V8 power and a genuinely athletic chassis, it drove with a sharpness that most SUVs of its era couldn’t match. Yet in a move that still puzzles enthusiasts, Infiniti failed to capitalize on its early lead, pulling the plug after just two generations. Now it’s planning a successor, but the competition today is far tougher. The Original Coupe-Like SUV Infiniti Key Facts To Know Spanned two generations from 2003 to 2017 Pre-dated the BMW X6 by five years Boasted a genuinely sporty chassis Rebranded the QX70 from 2014 Spiritual successor coming in the form of the QX65 Infiniti's Nissan parent was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy in the late 1990s, its finances in some ways even worse than they are today, if you can believe it. The automaker was thrown a lifeline in 1999 when Renault bought a controlling stake and appointed Carlos Ghosn to execute a turnaround plan that would become legendary. Ghosn’s approach combined ruthless cost-cutting, including closing plants and dropping underperforming models, with a push for engineering excellence, challenging teams to build standout vehicles atop the highly flexible FM platform, whose initials signified a front-midship layout. The result were star vehicles like the Nissan 350Z, Nissan GT-R, and the Infiniti FX, all featuring signature styling overseen by talented designer Shiro Nakamura.Infiniti In the case of the FX, the idea of an SUV built for on-road performance was still fairly novel, but Infiniti’s entry proved a true trailblazer, particularly for a brand whose only previous SUV had been the very traditional Infiniti QX4, which was essentially a rebadged version of the boxy second-generation Nissan Pathfinder. Infiniti first previewed the design with the FX45 Concept at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show, and a year later it launched the production version, even more dynamically styled and honed for real-world roads. Infiniti's design language emphasized a balance of power and elegance, and the FX encapsulated this with its sloping roofline, muscular haunches, and the kind of on-road poise that made it stand apart from anything else in the luxury SUV segment.Over the next 17 years, the FX evolved through multiple updates, including refreshed styling and more powerful engines, and even received a name change to QX70 with the 2014 model year as part of Infiniti’s rebranding around the letter Q. Through it all, it remained true to its sporty SUV ethos, and today it still stands as one of the most compelling SUVs you can buy used. Infiniti tried to rekindle that magic with the compact Infiniti QX55, which arrived for 2022 and bowed out after 2025, but the vehicle's small size and lackluster mechanicals, which included a CVT, didn't prove convincing. Now the automaker plans a new coupe-like SUV in the midsize segment, the Infiniti QX65, hoping to capture the same blend of performance, style, and panache that made the FX such a standout in its day.Jared Rosenholz/CarBuzz/Valnet The Infiniti QX65 is slated to make its public debut on March 26, ahead of a formal unveiling at the New York Auto Show in early April. The design, however, was first hinted at last summer with the thinly veiled QX65 Monograph concept. Judging by the concept, the QX65 appears more like a styling variant of the existing Infiniti QX60, which was last redesigned for 2022 and given a mid-cycle refresh for 2026. That means fans hoping for a true performance SUV in the spirit of the original FX might be disappointed.Still, sources suggest Infiniti could meet enthusiasts halfway, equipping the QX65 with a V6, possibly turbocharged, instead of the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that currently powers the QX60. Either way, the new QX65 won’t be an all-out performance SUV like the FX (and QX70) with its V8, but those earlier SUVs can today be had for a fraction of their original MSRPs, making them a compelling used-market alternative. A Used FX Is An Enthusiast’s Bargain InfinitiIf you're shopping the used market, skip the first-generation FX and zero in on the second-gen model that arrived for 2009 and was badged the FX50 in V8 guise (and carried on as the QX70 5.0 from 2014). The real draw here is the extra performance on tap: the vehicle's 5.0-liter V8 pumps out a robust 390 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, delivering a proper shove that makes the FX50 feel genuinely quick. It's a noticeable leap over the first-gen FX45's 4.5-liter V8, which topped out at 320 hp (and 335 lb-ft) in its final guise.The second-gen V8 also benefits from a slicker seven-speed automatic versus the older model's five-speed, not to mention sharper chassis tuning, and more modern tech, all while maintaining the same AWD-only setup that was standard on both V8 variants for confident grip and traction. For the QX70 specifically, the V8 story is short and sweet: Infiniti dropped the engine after 2014 due to tepid demand, making that single model year the only chance to snag a QX70 5.0 in the US.Infiniti There are other powertrains, too. The second-gen lineup started with a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 303 hp as the standard powertrain (available in rear- or all-wheel drive), but Infiniti upgraded it to a 3.7-liter V6 making 325 hp for 2013 and offering that engine up to 2017 when the QX70 was finally dropped. The V6s are no match for the V8's muscular surge, but still a solid option for a comfy cruiser. How Much To Pay Today Infiniti If you’re hunting for a V8-powered Infiniti FX50 or its later alter ego, the Infiniti QX70 5.0, be prepared to play the long game. These range-topping models sold in small numbers when new, and that scarcity carries over to today’s used market. A quick scan of popular classifieds turns up only a handful of examples nationwide, and most come with mileage well over 100,000 miles. The upside? Rarity has a way of propping up desirability, and as these V8 bruisers fade further into obscurity, there’s a case to be made that clean examples could hold steady or even appreciate as future collectibles.Pricing reflects that strange mix of obscurity and appeal. Most used V8 examples average around the $12,000 mark, give or take depending on condition and history, though standout listings can creep higher. At the time of writing, one of the better deals is a 2009 FX50 with 118,000 miles listed at $14,000. If you're happy to own the V6, you can find later QX70 examples from the 2014 model year and newer with under 100,000 miles for that same $12,000 average.Infiniti As for ownership, the limited production numbers mean hard reliability data is thin on the ground. Still, RepairPal reports that Infiniti generally delivers better-than-average reliability, and the issues that do surface for the FX50 and QX70 5.0 tend to be relatively minor rather than catastrophic. A Rare Breed Worth The Hunt Infiniti For enthusiasts, a used Infiniti FX50 or Infiniti QX70 5.0 hits a sweet spot few modern SUVs can match, but actually finding one is the real challenge. And while the upcoming Infiniti QX65 may echo the look, it won’t capture the raw, V8-powered spirit that made the original FX such a standout. Still, only time will tell if the new model will impress in the eyes of enthusiasts in today's far more competitive market.