2012 Infiniti QX56 Luxury SUV

Jun 10, 2012

2012 Infiniti QX56 Luxury SUV

Photos and Review by Stu Wright

I was pretty excited this last Monday about receiving the Infiniti luxury SUV for testing. The QX that arrived represented the second year of the third generation of QX56’s, and is the biggest Infiniti to date and first to be built in America. It’s Q lettering comes from the original Q sedans that Infiniti pioneered in this country with the “x” emblematic of the all-mode four-wheel drive system. The 56 addresses the liter displacement of the big 32 valve, 400hp V8. It puts out 413 lb. ft. of torque, and all this power brings towing capacity to 8,500 lbs. It is coupled to a silky-smooth seven speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Zero to sixty acceleration is reportedly 6.5 seconds. Fuel economy ratings are 14/city and 20/highway. I observed a little over 14 mpg during my tryout.

The QX’s inside has a number of standard and optional luxury features including aniline leather seats, quad-zone climate control, a Bose 15-speaker premium surround sound stereo system with hard drive memory storage, hard-drive based navigation, XM satellite radio, a power liftgate/tailgate, Infiniti Intuitive Park Assist, climate-controlled front and rear seats, streaming audio via Bluetooth wireless, a center console beverage cooler, power sliding rear seats, power third row seats, and dual 7-inch DVD rear seat entertainment system. A new Around View Monitor system uses a camera mounted on the grill, giving a 180-degree view in front, and another camera mounted on the passenger side of the vehicle’s side mirror helps eliminate blind spots on the side at low speeds, such as when in parking lots or when off-roading.

Base M.S.R.P. for the QX was $61,800.00, and additions included the theater package for $2,950.00, the technology package for $3,000.00, deluxe touring package for $4,100.00, and 22” aluminum wheel package for $2,300.00. These options provide the driver with the lane change warning, the blind spot monitor, the adaptive cruise control system, and the forward collision warning device. Thus, total list price with mats and freight came to $75,340.00. Wheelbase is 121.1”, length is 208.3”, clearance is 9.2”, and the vehicle weighs three tons.

The QX is quite beautiful – it sits prominently on those 22”, 9 spoke alloys that are fitted with Bridgestone Dueler 275/50R22 radials, has ornamentation on the fenders and an integrated, color-keyed step down the side. This car came in liquid platinum (silver) metallic paint with “wheat” beige leather interior. The gold piping on all the seats was quite dramatic looking. Dirty drivers/passengers need not enter!

No complaints are coming from me with regards to taking the Infiniti to LoDo for some Rockie baseball. Highway manners are as to be expected, visibility is nearly on par with Land Rover, and the drive-train, as mentioned earlier, is like whipped cream. When parking at Coors Field, the all-around monitor comes in very handy and is visible on the 8” split screen display on the dashboard. Everyone gets to ride on cooled leather seats and watch baseball videos in three different locations (not while in motion).

I look forward to a future test of the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator, but for now feel confident that the Infiniti stacks up real nice with both of them. It was an enjoyable week.