Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2012 Infiniti QX56

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-...photo-4664012/

did something terrible the other day. I drove to the hardware store and bought incandescent light bulbs. I stood there in the aisle for a few extra minutes, staring at the compact fluorescents mocking me in their "be green" packaging, thinking about the several burned out incandescent bulbs in my basement and wondering how long the new ones I held in my hand might last. Better grab another box, just to be sure – government mandate has incandescents being phased out starting in January. I kept from making eye contact with the cashier while I paid and slunk out to my car.

So I'm a hypocrite, a self-professed environmentalist who can't even do this one simple thing to save the planet. But I am just not interested in spending a weekend replacing all the dimmer switches throughout the lower level of my house, and compact fluorescents don't work in those fixtures.

Which brings us to the 2012 Infiniti QX56. From a certain perspective, this 16-mile-per-gallon, V8-powered, body-on-frame SUV is an incandescent light bulb – a holdover from last decade, before the enactment of necessarily draconian fuel economy standards. But as my esteemed colleague Zach Bowman wrote in his First Drive of the QX, "you can't tow 8,500 pounds with a Toyota Prius." Neither can you fit a driver and up to seven passengers into one, not even the new Prius V.

I'd like to point to the technological marvel that solves the fuel-efficient family tow rig conundrum, but the solutions available right now are limited. We'll get to those alternatives presently, but for now, let's agree that new technology has a way of only solving part of the problem. So in this case, if you want to tow big stuff and you've got a big enough brood that you need three rows of seats – and you're ready and willing to spend big cash – the QX is as good as it's going to get.


Based on the Nissan Patrol, a full-size SUV not sold in North America, the Japanese-built Infiniti QX56 was completely redesigned for 2011. Updates for 2012 were negligible, and basically amounted to shuffling some different options around to different packages. Our test vehicle was a four-wheel-drive model (with a standard locking center differential and low-range transfer case; a rear-wheel-drive version is also available) that carries a starting MSRP of $61,800. But in this case – loaded up with every available package – the sticker was $75,340, including the $990 destination charge. That makes the QX one seriously expensive machine and the priciest in the Infiniti lineup by a goodly amount. Of course, your sixty-to-seventy large buys a lot of vehicle.

Make no mistake, the QX is a big boy truck, the sort that makes you think twice about tossing the keyfob to your buddy who's never owned anything larger than a Honda Civic. While Infiniti's optional suite of safety equipment (Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, Blind Spot Warning, Blind Spot Intervention, Intelligent Cruise Control, Distance Control Assist, – breath – Intelligent Brake Assist and Forward Collision Warning) is neat stuff and will help insure he comes back in one piece, those $2,300 22-inch wheels are not going to look as pretty with curb rash. They do an excellent job of filling out the wheel wells, however, and they don't get in the way of the illusion the rest of the styling creates.


The QX rides on a 121-inch wheelbase, some five inches longer than the Cadillac Escalade. At over 208 inches in total length and nearly 80 inches wide, the QX is six inches longer and an inch wider than the Cadillac. Yet it just doesn't look it. Indeed, its curvy bodywork ties the monstrous QX to the rest of the Infiniti lineup, but the styling also makes the big 'ute seem smaller than it is, at least from a distance. Once you find yourself up close, however, you realize quickly that this is the sort of vehicle you climb up into – and if you have little kids, you give them a boost.

It's been a solid year and a half since I first laid eyes on the QX, and I'm still not finding anything interesting about the way it looks, nor have I warmed up to the gaudy portholes that adorn the front fenders. Aside from those misguided pieces of trim, the QX is about as discreet as a 5,850-pound vehicle can be – and entirely disappointing when parked next to an Escalade. Even if its Art and Science styling is long-in-the tooth, the Caddy has an undeniably arresting presence that I don't see in the QX.


Inside, however, there's no comparison. This is as first-rate an interior as you'll find on any vehicle, thanks to an optional semi-aniline leather that makes the Escalade feel like the Chevrolet Tahoe lurking underneath. Even the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class doesn't have as many soft-touch surfaces and stitched leather upholstery as the QX, which not only looks and feels nicer, but has a better layout to its dashboard and instrument panel.

Honestly, there's not a luxury brand on earth that couldn't stand to eliminate a good 10 percent of the buttons and dials and other various interface controls in its vehicles across the board, but at least Infiniti has a pretty logical scheme, placing the climate control buttons and ***** low on the center stack, with the stereo in the middle and then the rest of its navigation and telematics interface at the top, just under the LCD screen where it belongs. Infiniti's approach to the dash is simple and intuitive and doesn't require cracking the instruction manual.

I wish I could say the same thing about the controls for the myriad of safety systems bundled together in the optional Technology Package, but that's just not the case. Infiniti has added a few extra buttons to control these features – and some rather cryptic icons that appear on the small display located between the tachometer and speedometer.

Given that the Intelligent Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning and Prevention system use lasers and cameras to not only brake the car, but often do so in a fashion that steers the vehicle (by applying the brakes to just one side), it's best to understand exactly how this safety tech works so you can take best advantage of it or turn it off if it gets annoying. Since it's optional equipment, there's a good reason it feels tacked on with a few extra buttons, but it would be nice if all this were better integrated into the vehicle and controlled through the nav system interface. On the positive side, the Lane Departure system works well, intervening only when it should, without as many false alarms as I've experienced in other vehicles with similar systems.


As trick and cutting edge as these safety systems are, they're still just the wasabi on the sushi that is the QX powertrain. This 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter, direct-injected V8 is nothing short of great. Making 413 lb-ft of torque and mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission that seems to always know exactly which gear to be in, the QX's big aluminum V8 delivers acceleration seemingly beyond its admittedly well-endowed means. At full throttle the QX just plain hauls, emitting a nice bit of macho exhaust noise in the process – a stark contrast to the pervasive quiet that otherwise coddles its occupants.

The only thing that spoils the spoiling is a ride that can tend to the harsh side on the worst pavement, something to blame, at least initially, on those 22-inch wheels. With a nice smooth stretch of road, however, the big 275mm-wide tires merely provide extra grip, which surprisingly enough turns out to be an attribute you could actually exercise. The QX has a fairly buttoned up chassis, with an optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system that keeps the big boat from listing in the turns. It does wonders for keeping the big truck riding flat, but it seems like cheating physics in this way contributes to the QX's dislike for the rough stuff. A little more body movement might be nice if that could help soak up some of the jarring you experience on washboard or deeply pot-holed roads. The QX's engine-speed sensitive steering tends to feel light and lacks a solid on-center feel, which isn't out of the ordinary for a big truck, but seems like something Infiniti could address. The QX is really not a bad handling vehicle, especially considering its size, but it doesn't hurt to ask for more.


Speaking of which, even the most demanding among us isn't going to find much else to, well, demand of a full size luxury SUV. With more legroom in both the second and third rows than the Escalade, and equivalent cargo volume, there's comfort in abundance. At the risk of having my tree-hugging rights entirely revoked, I'll say that spending a week behind the wheel of the QX was not unlike a resort vacation – you get used to being pampered real quick.

But there is that fuel economy issue I said we'd get back to. Now those who spend this kind of money on an SUV to tow a boat or a horse trailer or a race car are not the type to be overly concerned with fuel economy, as they are clearly not worrying about where their gas money is coming from. Nor will I notice the effect of continuing to use those incandescent light bulbs on my family budget. However, that doesn't mean there aren't other motivations – guilt, shame, an honest desire to reduce your carbon footprint, etc. While there's no silver bullet here, both GM and Mercedes-Benz offer versions of their big luxury trucks that trump the QX's 16 mpg combined EPA number. The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid offers 21 mpg, while the GL350 Bluetec diesel is rated at 19 mpg combined. The Cadillac can tow up to 5,600 pounds in four-wheel-drive spec (or 5,800 pounds for the rear-drive version) while the Mercedes tops out at 7,500 pounds, which while less than the QX's top tow rating of 8,500 pounds, is still enough to do some serious hauling.


So that's the alternative, the peek into the future. No doubt the full-size luxury SUV is going to further evolve, with technological advances that will make this iteration of the QX56 seem anachronistic. But that hasn't happened yet, and there's nothing else on the market so compelling that the QX's comfort, amenities and powertrain can be easily forgotten.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/2...-review-video/

LexFather

Funny but the QX has moved from Pathfinder based to Titan Based to Petrol Rebadge and they really got it right this time. The price and features are excellent as well as the interior. It sad it looks like Moby ****'s cousin Chicko **** b/c it is ugly as sin.

The market has spoken though, funny this has passed the FX 50 and M56 as the face/flagship of the brand ala Caddy and the Escalade. It is selling really well for them around 1k a month which speaks volumes since people are supposed to be downsizing and its a gas guzzler.

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

Incandescent bulbs are not being phased out, just being regulated to be more efficient. A common misconception which has people stocking up on light bulbs. I still think they are better than the mercury filled CCFLs.

Anyway, the QX still looks like a rolling blister to me. A blister with a sweet engine though...

LexusChris

iTrader: (1)

I cannot get over that exterior every time I see it, even the same goes for the rest of those full-size luxury SUVs. I think the GL and LX would be the best lookers .I find the interior is great, feels great too having been in one, definitely a notch above the GL-Class and Escalde but more LX 570 like.

greg0126

iTrader: (2)

I hate the exterior on these. But I sat in one once and believe me there really is nothing that comes close. It's probably the best interior I've seen in any vehicle.

Alucard

That is a poopy color.

It still isn't Ferrari-beautiful, but in darker colors it looks way better. And I think the portholes wouldn't bother me as much if similar things weren't being sold at Pep Boys.

Toys4RJill

I have to say Infiniti has a home run on their hands and did an incredible job. I like the looks and I think the interior is superb. I believe the interior is almost the exact same as the Patrol.

The thing that makes the QX work so well is that it is priced lower than the LX and is a little bigger than Escalade.

I understand the LX will be a little different for this new model, at least on the looks from what I hear.

rogers2

I must say I hate all SUV. But everytime I see a QX i stare for a second. Maybe b/c isn't so huge.
Hoovey2411 thanks for the post. My girl is dog handler and just last week she was telling me how she wish she could purchase an QX56. Immediately my face drop bc most of the time if it's not a coupe Im like really!!

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Unlike most people, and i hate to admit it, i love suv's. Specifically the older 4runners, pathfinders, lx's, and qx4's. That being said i love this SUV. Maybe its jsut the fact thats its a beast of a vehicle. If i were to buy a huge suv right now (if i needed it) this would be up there along with lx570's/07 470's sequoias, and cayennes. For a smaller SUV, id probably end up with a 4runner or ML. I drive an es300 right now, but you can't beat an SUV for ski trips hockey equipment ect. Thats why im glad we have an rx and lx to

jwong77

I've got to say I've never seen one of these before in my area where I'll see plenty of Escalades and GL's and even the occasional LX. The silicon valley has plenty of folks with alot of money to throw around, but it seems they are not purchasing the QX.

mmarshall

Maybe it's because of the past reputation of the QX56 and its sister Nissan Armada. For several years, they had well-known reliability problems, partly because of quality issues at the Canton, MS plant. Newer ones are much better (they are now average in reliability, according to Consumer Reports), but the reputation may be living on.

By today's standards, they are also monsters in sheer size, bulky and to steer and park. They rank among the largest SUVs produced today by any Japanese manufacturer.

ARISTOh

iTrader: (3)

I think that thing looks like a giant Whale.. The interior is nice, but I'm just not feeling the body at all.. Fail

langjaykev

iTrader: (1)

haha I was about to post saying it looks like a big fat whale but then looks like you beat me to it!

bruce van

My sister has the QX56 and it's a love it or hate it kind of car. The interior is awesome and for the price you really can't get anything better. Yeah, it's not cheap, but if you compare it to other luxury SUV's, this car is price very, very well.

It's HUGH. That's the one thing that my sister doesn't like about it. Going shopping with this car is major pain since most parking spots are very narrow these days and this car is a porker. She loves driving the car because you really do feel extremely safe in it.

I8ABMR

I looked at this thing recently at the auto show and I think its absolutely beautiful .