2011 Infiniti QX56 4WD - Four Seasons Update - March 2011
By Phil Floraday
Photography by Matt Tierney
Months in Fleet: Five
Miles to Date: 15,467
Early on in our 2011 Infiniti QX56's term questions about the 400-hp engine's thirst for premium fuel filled the logbook. Now that we've spent five months behind the wheel, we're finally beginning to appreciate the capability that Infiniti packs in its luxury SUV.
Assistant editor David Zenlea recently spent a lot of time piloting smaller SUVs and crossovers powered by mere V-6 engines and immediately sang the praises of a big engine in a big SUV; "Sorry, but there's still no magic concoction of technology that gets a heavy behemoth moving so smoothly and swiftly as a proper V-8." Zenlea particularly enjoys the 416 lb-ft of torque and wide gearing of the seven-speed automatic transmission for darting in and out of urban traffic. Big displacement means you never have to worry about turbo lag or search for the upper rev range to get to the fat part of the power curve.
While reflecting on the QX's impressive power delivery, Zenlea also put the fuel economy ratings in perspective for other staffers: "I'd argue the QX's 14/20 mpg ratings aren't quite so villainous when you remember that even crossovers with downsized engines don't score particularly well. An Audi Q7 with a 3.0-liter gas V-6 for instance, achieves 16/22 mpg. For that 2 mpg advantage over the Infiniti, the Audi gives up 3000-pounds in towing capacity along with, in my opinion, a good deal of driving pleasure."
As we've come to expect with big utility vehicles, the miles are quickly accumulating and the QX has already visited our local Infiniti dealer for its 15,000 mile service. This service included a multi-point inspection, tire rotation, oil and oil filter change, and a new in-cabin air filter. The total came to $240.74 and the $63.23 cabin air filter actually cost more than the seven quarts of oil ($27.30) and new oil filter ($14.47).
Our dealer also treated the QX to a complimentary wash while it was in for service, but the SUV is in need of a full detailing after a few months of salt and mud have assaulted the light colored interior. Rubber floor mats trap most of the nasty stuff on passengers' shoes, but it's an uphill battle to keep a wheat-colored interior clean when you're hauling families, dogs, and other assorted cargo on a regular basis.
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: 89 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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