Style, Safety & Class in the Infiniti JX

Last week we had the ride of our lives, literally.
We were lucky to be given a fully-loaded Infiniti JX35 to test drive and review for one week by Infiniti Canada and experience the Infiniti difference.

We loved the JX!

The model that we reviewed was the MY13 JX35 in Black Obsidian colour with a graphite interior.
The JX only comes in one model starting at a base of $44, 900 with available options.
Our JX included all options such as: Premium, Theatre, Deluxe Touring & Tech (includes Drivers Assistance Package) with the price totaling $58,400 (before taxes, delivery & destination).

As a busy family that's constantly on the go -- appointments, work, meetings, errands, etc., it was so important that we  review a vehicle that was accommodating to our hectic lifestyle.
We needed good space, reliability, decent-good fuel economy, great safety features and of course, it doesn't hurt for it to look stylish and beautiful at the same time.
The Infiniti JX fit the bill!


With the ability to carry up to 7 passengers (this includes 3rd row reclining seats), I was surprised at how spacious it still was given the amount of passengers.  I know because we had a few extra family members join us on an evening cruise in the JX which prompted us to utilize the extra seats in the back. It's definitely not for the long legged person though; I'd recommend children or shorter passengers in the extra seats in the back.

On top of that, it provides one-handed easy access for sliding the 2nd row seats forward even with a car seat & child still on it. Amazing!












Before I ramble on with all the fabulous features this vehicle has to offer, let me talk about our top 3 features first.

Our Top 3 Infiniti JX Features
1) The world's first Backup Collision Intervention
2) Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Front and Rear Sonar System
3) Infiniti Intelligent Key with power rear liftgate and available remote start

The first on this list, many have already seen on the TV commercial.  Simply put, when backing up from a parking spot or driveway, the sensors will a detect moving object (i.e. a child or bike or both!) that will stop the vehicle for a full second if you're not on the brake pedal.
This safety feature is very useful in child-friendly neighborhoods such as ours and gives us peace of mind whenever we're backing out of our driveway.

The 2nd feature on our favourites blew our minds!!! We've never seen this technology in a vehicle -- this is the world's first!
The ability to see a bird's eye view of a vehicle and moving objects around it in real-time is absolutely astounding.
The Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection will pick up movement from vehicles, people and objects and will warn you if one is coming too close to your vehicle by an amber light and a beep on both the inside of the driver and passenger side doors. You will also be able to see this on the monitor.
The Front and Rear Sonar System is especially helpful in regards to your blind spots while driving or changing lanes.

On an especially dark evening, we were on an uphill road in a not-so-well lit street and as we proceeded to change lanes from the left to the right, a speeding vehicle fast approached us at the same time we were changing lanes -- at that moment the amber light on the front passenger side turned on and started beeping to alert us that a vehicle was in our blind spot.

When reversing, this is what you will see on the monitor. Amazing!

Front view on monitor -- notice you can see a moving person in front + what's going on on the sides.

The 3rd feature is the Infiniti Intelligent Key. 
This was a great one for moms that almost often are carrying so many things (including children!) in and out of vehicles.
Getting in and out of the vehicle was effortless as this Inifinity Intelligent Key provided keyless entry, one-touch button to open and close liftgate automatically, Illuminated Push Button Ignition and remote start (this was an additional added option).

More of the impressive features in the Infiniti JX includes:

• 265 HP 3.5-litre V6 engine
• Infiniti Connection System with safety and security services
• 15-speaker Bose Cabin Surround 5.1-channel sound system
• 60/40-split folding, sliding second-row bench seats with available heated outboard seats
• 50/50-split folding, third-row seats with recline
• Infiniti Intelligent-View Display

Now the most important part will have to be the creature-comfort and overall performance of the JX.

We found 265 HP was adequate enough speed on daily city driving and passing. Mind you, this is no sports car and geared more towards a comfortable and safe ride.

The suspension was great in absorbing bumps and imperfections on the road and we felt that it was in between a Lexus RX350 and an Acura MDX (having been driven and in both vehicles which family members own).

Considering we were riding on 20's which are the biggest wheels the JX offers, the ride was pretty smooth and comfortable. So comfortable in fact, every ride put our three year old straight to dreamland.

There was even a time we took her for a quick drive around the neighborhood to calm a tantrum and get her to sleep and it worked!

In regards to style this vehicle will definitely get noticed on the road.  

Now that is one stylish, sophisticated and beautiful vehicle!

With distinctively flowing lines and boasting a charismatic appeal with its prominent grill, Infiniti insignia and chrome accents sprinkled around the vehicle, the JX shouts pure luxury and class.

The interior materials is no less appealing than it's exterior.

Considering all the technology this vehicle offers, the controls were easily accessible.

We loved the feel of the leather seats and the fact that our vehicle also offered not just heating BUT cooling front seats as well (Climate-controlled front seats).  This I LOVED especially during this extremely humid weather!

Cooled seats in sticky-hot weather? Yes, please! 

Some of the other great features in the interior that we loved (there are just so many great ones to mention) included:

• Tri-Zone Automatic Temperature Control system with microfilter
• 8 cup holders and 6 bottle holders
• Front centre console with armrest, dual-level storage compartment, 12-volt power outlet, auxiliary input jacks and USB connection port
• Cargo net tie-down anchors in cargo area
• Heated steering wheel
• Sequential welcome lighting illuminated entry system and overhead ambient light
• Moonroof

Let's get down to the affordability factor.

We think it's fairly priced considering all the tech and features if offers compared to it's competition (i.e. the Acura MDX).  For a luxury SUV, Infiniti really stretched the dollar on this one.

If you're in the market for a luxury mid-sized SUV, definitely add this to your list of top-picks (it's definitely on ours!)

We had an enjoyable week reviewing the Infiniti JX and are gracious to Infiniti Canada for giving us the opportunity to review this wonderful vehicle.  It truly did leave us inspired.


For more information and details, head over to www.infiniti.ca.
You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter @infiniticanada.


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Disclaimer: We were given the Infiniti JX35 to review for one week to conduct this review; however the opinions expressed are our very own.

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Pure Energy & Fun with The PlasmaCar

I'm going to say it without any shame at all... My daughter is spoiled.

She has every thing a little 3 1/2 year old girl could want AND MORE!

I'm not saying it's a good thing, but what I can be proud of is that despite the fact that she has everything she could possibly need, she is a grateful and humble little girl.  Even at her ripe age.

Having said all that, despite all the things she owns, one thing is for certain, she knows what she wants.

She knows exactly what she'll have fun with and we can pretty much tell if a new gadget or toy will just be a one-hit wonder for her and then off to the back of her closet.

Just recently we did a little spring-cleaning and tons of purging of mostly, yes you guessed it, Ava's belongings.

When we came across The PlasmaCar in Chapters Indigo, we were very intrigued.  Ava would never leave the store without having a little fun on the PlasmaCar. Albeit a very short-lived amount of fun as the line-up for those things in Chapters were almost always ridonkulous.

Kids of all ages seem to love them.

So that got us thinking whether it's worth the investment (We loved the fact that it's powered by the child itself with no batteries, pedals or gears, which makes for great exercise!) or was this again something she was just excited to have because she noticed a lot of the other children's enthusiasm over the product.

So, we were more than thrilled to have been given the opportunity to review the famous set of wheels from Plasmart and see if this, in fact, was truly as brilliant a car as it seemed.

We received the The PlasmaCar on our front steps a couple of days ago and surprised a very happy little girl!

First of all the set-up was a breeze.

There's nothing more frustrating than a lengthy and agonizing set-up.  Did it worry me a tad though? Yeah, a little. Only because I thought that if it was so easy to assemble, it might be a little boring for her.

Remember, we're living in a day and age of technology and the more gadgets and bits and bolts on a toy meant it was better, right? Wrong.

As soon as The PlasmaCar was all ready and set-up, my husband first took it for a swing (using checking for safety and durability as an excuse - yeah right), had to literally pry him off to give our little girl a chance. 

He was having that much fun with it!

But, our biggest critic had yet to take her new wheels for a spin. Wheels she named "Sunny".

Did she love it? You be the judge.
(*Important Note: Ava does wear a helmet at all times when riding outdoors! Just wasn't shot in this quick portion. It's a must!)

So overall, would I recommend The PlasmaCar to family and friends? Absolutely!
First of all, it's Canadian Brand! Woo-hoo!

Secondly, I love that it provides the fun and exercise that our children very much need and for a very decent price.

No pedals, gears or batteries needed! You just turn the wheel and away you go!

Quiet, inexpensive, and providing limitless playability, the PlasmaCar is truly a unique toy that can reach exhilarating, but kid-friendly, speeds of up to 10 km/hour (6 mph). . . It’s pure energy, and pure fun!

It's really no surprise that it's won numerous awards.

Currently The PlasmaCar retails for $64.95 at our local Chapters, but for other store locations that carry The PlasmaCar, you can search here.

For more information on The PlasmaCar, visit them online at: www.plasmacar.com.

For more updates and fun stuff, make sure to follow them on Twitter or Like them on Facebook.

How would you like to WIN your very own PlasmaCar in your choice of colour?

Thanks to PlaSmart, a lucky CAC reader will win a PlasmaCar {SRV $69.99}

Just enter by following the simple instruction via Rafflecopter below before June 27/12 to be eligible!

Open to Canadian and US (excl. Alaska & Hawaii) Residents only. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Disclaimer: I received a PlasmaCar in exchange for my honest review of this product; however, the opinions expressed are my very own.

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