The EX35 is a compact, sporty, car-based SUV, slotted in size and price just below the FX. It will use Nissan's smooth 3.5-liter V6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. A lane-departure-prevention system detects when the vehicle is leaving its lane without the turn signals activated. If the driver ignores audible and visible warning signals, the system will intervene, using the stability-control system to apply one or more brakes to help push the car back on course. To aid in parking, cameras can show a full picture of the car's perimeter on a dashboard display.

CR's take. The EX35 will compete against the Acura RDX and BMW X3. The around-view monitor could be helpful, especially given the limited visibility imposed by the sloping roofline. We found in our 2008 new cars review that integrating the lane-departure and ESC systems to provide an active response is a step beyond the simple lane-departure warning system we tested on the Infiniti M sedan.

On sale: December 2007