2011 Infiniti QX56 4WD - Four Seasons Update - February 2011
By Phil Floraday
Photography by Matt Tierney
Months in Fleet: Four
Miles to Date: 13,440
During this winter that just won't quit, our 2011 Infiniti QX56 remains a top choice for transporting staffers and family members facing this inclement weather. We've sung the praises of the heated steering wheel and heated seats in past updates, but they remain a favorite feature as the temperatures remain below freezing.
In the past month, we've seen enough snow and ice to give the four-wheel drive system a rigorous workout. From unplowed streets to plowed-in alley entrances, the QX's massive all-season tires and 22-inch wheels have rolled through any obstacles in their paths. Although the system sends power to the rear wheels most of the time, the automatic four-wheel-drive setting will send power to the front wheels when the rear wheels lose traction. In automatic mode, the QX lets the tail hang out quite a bit on icy roads before sending power to the front wheels. Locking the system into 4-hi solves this problem. We haven't yet had much reason to engage 4-low, but the extra range position serves as good reminder we're driving a bona fide SUV, not merely some crossover.
To test the QX's truck underpinnings, one staffer towed a racecar to a shop for some pre-season preparations. The QX shrugged off the trailer, which weighed around 5000 pounds, and was still perfectly happy cruising at 80 mph. Selecting tow/haul mode for the transmission dialed up revised shift mapping, and produced perfectly-timed downshifts during braking. Tow/haul mode was especially useful because we haven't installed a trailer brake controller on our QX. If transporting racecars becomes a regular task (and it might be as multiple staffers are avid weekend racers) we'll need to equip the QX with an aftermarket trailer brake controller since Infiniti does not offer one as a factory option.
Few vehicles are able to bridge the gap between luxury, utility, and people moving like Infiniti's big SUV, and the Automobile Magazine Four Seasons fleet provides plenty of opportunities to test the QX's multiple roles. Be sure to come back to see how it handles the various challenges we throw at it.
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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