The driver works with a suitably small-diameter, thick-rim, three-spoke steering wheel with thumb-operated pushbuttons and toggles, and plenty of adjustment in two planes for driving comfort and gauge viewing.   The optional shift paddles behind it are among the best around, solid magnesium pieces with leather along the back side for your fingers, and long enough that you can change gears mid-bend; downshifts are left-hand, upshifts are on the right.  

Ahead of the steering wheel are electroluminescent gauges lifted from the G37 coupe, although the FX pod does not move up and down with the wheel as it does in the coupe.   Fuel and coolant temperature are in lower corners, the primary tachometer and speedometer frame a message center with trip data, scrolling information, and a decent-sized gear indicator you can read at a glance; with seven to choose from you may not always know what gear you're in.   Odometers and gauge lighting work through silver ear tabs at the top sides of the pod.  

Short-travel column stalks with chrome lips on the twist ends handle the usual chores: signals, lights, and wipers.   To the left below the vent is a bank of switches for much of the gadgetry you can get on an FX.   These include IBA Off (intelligent brake assist), VDC Off (electronic stability control), DCA (distance control alert), FCW/LCW, AFS on/off (adaptive headlights that follow the road with steering input), and mirror adjustment and fold switches.   Mirrors shouldn't need much adjustment in motion but some of the other buttons will, and buried by your left knee all in white-on-black is not the easiest place to find them.   The pushbutton start switch is on the dash to the right in clear view.  

Between the center vents is a well-shaded screen, whether you have navigation or not, which offers split-screen views.   Below it on a near-horizontal surface is the multifunction control wheel with direct-access keys to the sides.   The navigation system recognizes voice for climate, audio, phone, and, yes, navigation, this last run by a hard-disc drive and offering XM real-time traffic (and now weather) data on-screen.   We were able to operate this without any owner's manual to consult and got what we wanted with a minimum of missteps, so consider intuitiveness average or better.  

The central control panel is finished in piano black.   The upper set of audio controls flank an analog clock lit like ice at night and the lower set handle climate operations; in either case the visual details appear on-screen.   All these operate in a straightforward manner, though the two round volume/audio knobs and left/right temperature knobs are identical and a quick reach may result in a radio change when you wanted more heat or cooling, or vice versa.   At the bottom is a push-open felt-lined bin.  

You won't see it, but the FX50 climate control system includes systems that sound derived from space travel.   A Plasmacluster ionizer runs in two modes to trap particulate contaminants and make the air crisper and fresher, and a grape seed polyphenol filter neutralizes allergens that get past regular filters.  

A small conventional shifter rides center on the console and offers manual mode, but the paddles do better at this and there's no chance you'll accidentally tap the shifter into neutral.   Behind the shifter are the seat temperature controls and suspension control switch, followed by a dual cupholder with wood cover, and dual-bin storage with iPod connection under the armrest.  

The front seats of the FX are comfortable and well-designed to match the cornering capability of the car without feeling overly restrained.   On the FX50 driver memory and seat heat and cooling is standard, though the coolers are a bit noisy at their max setting.   The optional sport seats on the FX50 offer all the usual adjustments plus thigh extensions and, for the driver, powered side bolsters for legs and torso; they're really good, and with that diamond-quilt pattern are as close to a Bentley Continental or Italian exotic as you'll get in a crossover.  

By SUV standards you sit fairly low in the FX, and the front tunnel/hump around the running gear takes away a bit of foot wiggle room.   But there is a lot of travel in the seat tracks, 44 inches of legroom and a floor-hinged gas pedal so it won't be a deal-breaker.  

The rear cabin matches the front for woodwork and finish, and the reclining seats are comfortable but it's better to use the center armrest rather than seat third person on the firm middle cushion with limited foot room and a fixed headrest.   Here the stylish proportions of the FX become noticeable because shoulder room matches the front but headroom's a bit less, and legroom loses 10 inches from the front.   It isn't exactly tight but it isn't roomy either.  

Nor is the cargo area particularly generous, offering 25 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62 cubic feet with it folded.   It isn't a big trunk and we found it didn't fit a pair of big roller suitcases under the cover.   Lift-over height is a relatively high 31 inches, meaning you'll have to lift your cargo high to load it in back.  

The rear seats are easily folded from the door or hatch; the narrow seat is behind the driver.   There are four light-duty tie-down points, a 12-volt power point and light, and the cover that rides on chrome rails folds in three sections.   A metal threshold plate includes a spring-loaded cover around the latch, and the space saver spare rides underfloor with a subwoofer resting within it.