2011 Infiniti QX56 4WD - Four Seasons Update - June 2011
By Phil Floraday
Months in Fleet: Eight
Miles to Date: 20,523
The staff’s level of interest in a Four Seasons test vehicle is cyclical and often predictable. As soon as a new vehicle arrives, we all fight for the keys and hope to put on a few miles while the car is still in showroom condition. Then our collective interest usually drops in the middle months of our test once the newness wears off. This partially explains why we only added 678 miles to our QX’s odometer in the last month.
Another reason the QX experienced less love lately is the combination of high fuel prices that spiked shortly after our May update was published and its gas guzzling reputation. It’s true the fuel economy isn’t much of a concern if you’re towing a heavy trailer or filling every seat or cubic foot of cargo capacity inside the vehicle, but the truth is the majority of our miles are spent commuting with only one or two people in the vehicle. Jennifer Misaros, managing editor of digital platforms, admits the QX “actually causes me to feel self-conscious when I’m driving it.” Associate online editor Jake Holmes echoes the sentiment, “like Jen, I get a twinge of eco-guilt when I drive this massive 5850-pound SUV without any passengers or cargo.”
The logbook also praises the QX’s more hedonistic appeal: “Having driven slower vehicles recently, I couldn’t help but marvel again at this monster’s explosive acceleration,” exclaims copy editor Rusty Blackwell. Assistant editor David Zenlea agrees with Blackwell and applauds our Infiniti’s handling composure, noting, “the QX also feels quite balanced for a vehicle this size.”
Though our opinions on the QX’s mission may be divided, we all seem to agree with its execution. Frequently repeated comments include praise for the strong power delivery, supple leather seats, and incredible ability to keep body roll to a minimum in fast turns. That’s the truth about the 2011 Infiniti QX56: If you’re going to use it for the tasks it was designed for, there’s little room for improvement. But when you’re driving around in a big, empty SUV that only covers an average of 16 miles of road for each gallon of gas burned, it feels a bit out of its element.
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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