2011 Infiniti QX56 4WD
By Phil Floraday
Months in Fleet: Three
Miles to Date: 10,247
As the snow started falling, staffers scurried to grab the QX keys. "Winter in Detroit is the most SUV time of year," mused senior editor Joe Lorio after a night in the QX. He's on to something there. With the reduced traction available on snowy streets, the temperatures dip below freezing, and everyone looking for a warm, comfortable place to pass the time, our QX seems like the perfect ride for the winter months.
Still, our hyper critical drivers did manage to find a few chinks in the QX's armor. Copyeditor Rusty Blackwell initially praised the cavernous cargo area's ability to swallow an end table, coffee table, and some folding chairs without folding down the second row of seats, but also pointed out that the high load floor and 22.4-inch stepover height don't make for convenient loading or boarding procedures. He also complained that lane departure warning and blind spot warning can't operate independently, which conflicts with his desire to clip apexes and still know when there's something in his blind spot.
Deputy editor Joe DeMatio, however, doesn't mind the fact that the lane departure warning system and blind spot detection systems work in tandem: "I'll take any electronic assistance I can have, thank you very much, for the task of keeping this big beast in its lane." DeMatio especially appreciates the electronic aides when it's time to "fiddle with any of the many controls on the center stack." Joe is apparently the first staffer to fill the QX with six adults and he decided to test the third row for himself: "Plenty of headroom, but legroom was tight and overall the accommodations were not as good as you'd get in a minivan or in the Ford Flex."
Despite our love for the QX's heated seats, steering wheel, and overall great cold weather comfort, we're already dreaming of warmer weather and more adventurous trips for the QX once the snow starts melting. Be sure to check back next month to find out where the QX goes and what we think of it during its fourth month at 120 East Liberty Street.
2011 Infiniti QX56 4WD
Base price (with dest.): $60,750
Price as tested: $72,560
Overview
Body Style: SUV
Accommodation: 7-passenger
Construction: body-on-frame
Powertrain
Engine: DOHC 32-valve V-8
Displacement: 5.6 liters
Power: 400 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 413 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Drive: Four-wheel
Fuel economy: 14 / 20 / 16 mpg (city/hwy/combined)
Chassis
Steering: Vehicle-speed-sensitive power steering
Turning Circle: 41.6 ft
Suspension, Front: Hydraulic Body Motion Control System
Suspension, Rear: Hydraulic Body Motion Control System
Brakes F/R: Power-assisted ventilated disc; ABS
Wheels: 22 x 8.0-inch forged-aluminum
Tires: Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684II
Tire Size: 275/50R22 111H
Measurements
Headroom F/2R/3R: 39.9 / 40.0 / 36.8 in?
Legroom F/2R/3R: 39.6 / 41.0 / 28.8 in
Shoulder Room F/2R/3R: 63.8 / 63.5 / 60.5 in
Wheelbase: 121.1 in
Track F/R: 67.5 / 67.9 in
L x W x H: 208.3 x 79.9 x 75.8 in?
Cargo Capacity: 49.6 / 95.1 cu ft (3R seats down / with 2R & 3R seats down)
Weight: 5850 lb
Fuel Capacity: 26.0 gal
Est. Range: 416 miles
Fuel Grade: 87 octane
Standard Equipment
5.6-liter V-8 engine
7-speed automatic transmission
Four-wheel drive
Snow and tow modes
Hill start assist
4-wheel disc brakes with ABS
Vehicle dynamic control
Traction control system
Tire pressure monitoring system
8-way driver/6-way passenger power/heated front seat
Power lumbar support
Leather-appointed seats
Second row captains chairs
Power 60/40 split and fold third row seats
Power tilt/telescoping steering column
Heated steering wheel with multi-function controls
Bose 13-speaker premium audio system
Single in-dash CD/DVD player with MP3 playback
9.3 GB Music Box hard drive
XM satellite radio
USB/iPod adapter
Bluetooth connectivity
Infiniti hard drive navigation system
8-inch color touch-screen display
Voice recognition for audio
Around view monitor with front and rear sonar system
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Intelligent key with push button ignition
Power sliding tinted glass sunroof
Options
Deluxe touring package -- $5800
22-inch forged-aluminum wheels
Hydraulic body motion control system
Climate-controlled front seats
Heated second row seats
Remote tie up second row seats
Advanced climate control system
Headlight washers
Technology package -- $2850
Intelligent cruise control
Blind spot warning
Land departure warning
Land departure prevention
Intelligent brake assist
Forward collision warning
Adaptive front lighting system with auto leveling
Theater package -- $2450
Dual 7-inch color rear monitors
Two wireless headphones
Wireless remote control
Auxiliary audio/video input jacks
120V power outlet
Illuminated kick plates -- $390
Roof rail crossbars -- $320
Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)
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