Infiniti QX56 Review

2008 Infiniti QX56 SUV

The full-size luxury SUV category was created by domestic manufacturers, but import-brand manufacturers subsequently joined the fray. The Infiniti QX56 debuted a few years ago as part of the brand's push to diversify its lineup. Built at Nissan's Canton, Mississippi, plant, it shares its chassis and other major mechanicals with the Armada SUV and Titan pickup. As an Infiniti, however, it does feature its own unique styling elements and feature upgrades.

The Infiniti QX56 comes with a smooth V8 that offers ample power. SUV buyers crave roomy cabins and the QX56's fits the bill, with spacious second and third rows. Towing capacity is impressive, and the QX56 is also one of the better full-size luxury SUVs on the market in terms of acceleration and agile handling.

Still, Infiniti's big hauler falls shy of perfection in a couple of respects. Prior to a 2008 refresh that brought a new dash and nicer cabin materials, some aspects of its interior don't quite befit its luxury SUV status. Cargo capacity is less than most of its competitors. And thanks to that muscular V8, the QX is voracious at the gas pump. Another factor to consider is the QX56's love-it-or-hate-it styling -- a liability in a segment where appearances are everything.

Current Infiniti QX56

Still in its first generation, the Infiniti QX56 is a full-size SUV that seats seven. Only one trim is offered, but that trim comes loaded with a wealth of standard features. Highlights include 18-inch alloys, xenon HID headlights, heated leather seats, a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and a 10-speaker Bose stereo system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer. A rear-seat DVD entertainment system is optional, as is a second-row bench seat (in lieu of the standard captain's chairs) that allows the Infiniti to seat a total of eight passengers. A host of safety features are standard, including antilock disc brakes, stability control, full-length side curtain airbags, a reverse parking sensor and a rearview camera.

For 2008, Infiniti has added to the standard equipment list, and it now includes a power-fold feature for the third-row seat, keyless startup, a new audio system with an onboard hard drive, optional real-time traffic navigation integration and a larger screen for the rear entertainment system. Infiniti has also made some upgrades to the interior trim. Most welcome among these changes are the new instrument cluster design and improved materials quality.

Under the hood is a 5.6-liter V8 capable of 320 horsepower and 393 pound-feet of torque; it's wedded to a five-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel- or four-wheel-drive models are offered. Acceleration is impressive and fuel economy, though dismal, is at least on par with others in the full-size segment.

The Infiniti QX56's cabin strives to impart the requisite luxury SUV opulence but ultimately misses the mark. Plush carpeting is underfoot, rich leather cradles your hind parts and gleaming bird's eye maple and aluminum accents abound. However, the interior is marred by some downmarket plastics, and up until the '08 model year, the instrumentation and controls had a dull, utilitarian look. When it comes to true luxury in full-size proportions, the competitively priced Mercedes-Benz GL450 offers a more convincing show.

Cargo capacity is another shortcoming. Though the QX56 offers a decent 20 cubic feet of luggage room with all three rows in use, maximum cargo capacity trails that of others in its class, coming in at just 97 cubic feet. By comparison, the Cadillac Escalade offers 109 cubic feet of cargo room, while the extended-length ESV version offers 137 cubes. More impressive is the QX56's standard rearview monitor. Infiniti was the first manufacturer to offer this technology in the full-size SUV segment, and it eases much of the pain associated with parking this behemoth. This camera system utilizes the navigation system screen to give the driver a clear color picture of what's behind the vehicle.

In road tests, our editors have praised the Infiniti QX56 for its refined powertrain, smooth ride and family-friendly passenger quarters. In consumer reviews, Infiniti's sport-utility vehicle drew top marks for its power, handling and useful rearview monitor. However, some owners panned the vehicle's unimpressive fuel economy and called for more wood accents in its cabin.

Past Infiniti QX56 models

The QX56 debuted for the 2004 model year. Since then, Infiniti has made only minor changes. Up until the 2008 refresh, the most significant of these came in 2006 when it received a 60/40-split for the third-row seat, a standard Bluetooth hands-free system and enhanced exterior mirrors.

SELECT A SPECIFIC INFINITI QX56 MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.