  2011 Infiniti QX56. Click image to enlarge |
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2011 Infiniti QX56
My kids couldn’t decide whether our 2011 Infiniti QX56 tester was a beluga or a hippo.
This is no slight against Infiniti’s all-new super-size-me $73,000 SUV that, despite my prejudice against such things, impressed the heck out of me. It’s more a comment on how Infiniti’s organically flowing design signature and low-slung xenon headlights bestow upon this seven- (or eight-) seat behemoth the countenance of a large and lovable aquatic mammal. A definite improvement over the outgoing and ungainly 2010 model of which this 2011 is marginally lower, wider and longer, and carries the same price tag.
While the new QX is still a traditional body-on-frame SUV, with a maximum tow rating of 8,500 lbs, there is nothing truck-like in the way it glides down the road, coddling its occupants in a cocoon of quiet luxury. It rides on standard 20-inch alloys and features a self-levelling fully independent rear suspension. There is also nothing truck-like in its surprising dynamic abilities. More on that later.
    2011 Infiniti QX56. Click image to enlarge |
The QX’s 32-valve 5.6L V8 gets upgraded with direct injection and churns out 400 hp (up 80 horses) with 413 lb.-ft. of torque available at 4,000 rpm. A slick-shifting seven-speed manumatic transmission replaces the old five-speed unit. The full-time 4WD system has selectable snow and tow modes.
This is an exceptionally smooth and quiet powertrain, and does a commendable job of hauling around all three tonnes of the QX56 with little fuss. Infiniti claims a ten per cent improvement in fuel consumption over the outgoing model, although you shouldn’t expect any miracles here. Official figures are 15.7 L/100 km city and 10.3 L/100 km highway. My real world numbers were 17.5 in the city and 12.7 on an extended highway run. Premium fuel is recommended.
While running boards on most SUVs are mere affectations, they are a necessity here. You sit way up in this vehicle, looking down on Honda Pilots and Buick Enclaves. It positively dwarfed our Volvo V70.
Outward visibility is very good, and the QX features a reasonably tight turning circle which helps with manoeuvrability – as do the standard rear view camera, front and rear park assist, and around view monitor that gives a bird’s eye view of the vehicle at parking speeds. The cabin is exquisitely crafted – no apologies to Audi needed here. Every surface feels rich, the wood and metal trim is beautifully detailed, and intriguing design details like the way the sculpted dash top flows into the door panels show Infiniti is on its game here. The heated and cooled front seats (ten-way driver, eight-way passenger power adjustment) fall into the comfy but not particularly supportive category. Standard features include DVD entertainment system, Bluetooth, heated steering wheel with power tilt and telescope, dual-zone climate control, powered lift gate, navigation and Bose 13-speaker audio.
