In just over a week – on June 24 – Infiniti will begin selling its latest incarnation of the FX, its luxury crossover SUV. For everyone who has resisted owning/driving an SUV in order to avoid the stigma of being a minivan mom, it just might be time to rethink that decision.

In an effort to continue putting the “sport” in “sports utility vehicle,” Infiniti has put technology to work both inside and out on this beautifully designed machine. The 2009 lineup includes three models – the FX35 RWD ($40,950), the FX35 AWD ($42,350) and, at the top of the line, the FX50 AWD ($56,700). For the new year, the FX has been given a lower nose and sleeker profile, and for those seeking the perfect marriage of style, substance and performance, the FX50 is an absolute dream to drive.

Nice touches – such as paddle shifters on the steering column – definitely add to the sporty appeal, while an impressive list of safety features and high-tech driving aids make it a smart choice for the safety-minded.

For those who think “safety first,” let’s go there: The new FX is the first vehicle to roll out a new safety technology called Distance Control Assist, or DCA, which is designed to make driving in heavy traffic a little bit easier. DCA intuitively releases the throttle and applies the brakes to keep you a safe distance from the car in front of you. Also new to the industry is the FX’s Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA), which provides automatic emergency braking and a forward collision warning . And just to make sure you keep it between the lines, the car has a Lane Departure Warning and an automated Lane Departure Prevention system.

So, in case you’re wondering – yes, you can buy this car and put a bumper sticker on it that reads, “My car is smarter than your honor student.”

Techno-features aside, the comfort and styling of the Infiniti offer an impressive ride. The dash is an eye-catching combination of wood and leather that serves as the perfect display panel for the interior features. Of those features, one of the most useful is the Around View Monitor, which was a hit for Infiniti on its EX models and now works just as well here. It makes parking a breeze, and the only thing that could make it any easier would be a personal valet.

If you’re picking the kids up from soccer practice, you’ll also appreciate the automatic air recirculation feature, which switches the air source when it detects odors in the car and gives you a fresh supply. (Where was this feature when I was growing up and had to go on long car trips with my brothers?!)

Appointments such as an 11-speaker Bose audio system and great navigational features round out the package. The sporty cockpit is designed to be intuitive, driver-friendly and has the comfort you’d expect from a luxury car .

The beauty of the FX50 is that it has all the attributes you need in an SUV without driving or feeling like one. It has a 390 horsepower 5.0 liter V8 (the FX35s have a 303 horsepower 3.5 liter V6) and a seven-speed automatic transmission. With that kind of action under the hood, this is the SUV that just might make them the next cool car.

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