2008 INFINITI QX56 Review
Price Estimate: $2,051 - $3,195





+40
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- High-tech electronic features, powerful and refined V8, impressive balance of ride and handling, massive towing capacity, roomy second- and third-row seats.
Cons
- Less maximum cargo capacity than other full-size SUVs.
What’s new
The Infiniti QX56 undergoes its first major freshening since its debut. The 2008 QX56 has subtle styling changes, a significant redesign of its interior and the addition of new standard and optional equipment that brings it more in line with other top, large luxury SUVs.
Edmunds says
If its styling agrees with you, then the rest of the 2008 Infiniti QX56 should, too, thanks to an improved interior and plenty of high-tech goodies.
For sale near Ashburn, VA
22 listings
- 137,421 miles
- Frame damage reported, 2 owners, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 12 City / 17 Hwy MPG
- NMM Properties (201 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Neptune City, NJ
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: Yes
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
14 Combined MPG (12 City/17 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5N3AA08C48N911482
Stock: 911482
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-02-2025- $7,995fair price$412 below market
- 122,463 miles
- 1 accident, 3 owners, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 12 City / 17 Hwy MPG
- Brothers Auto Group (220 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Youngstown, OH
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
14 Combined MPG (12 City/17 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5N3AA08C88N900744
Stock: 900744
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-22-2025
Vehicle overview
If "chrome-y" were a word, it would certainly apply to the 2008 Infiniti QX56. In the full-size luxury SUV segment, tradition holds that bigger is better and, by extension, the more chrome, the better. As such, if the sheer size of the QX56 doesn't stun your neighbors into silence, the blinding sheen coming off its chrome 20-inch wheels and massive grille is bound to do the trick.
While the QX56 uses much the same formula as the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator to attract attention, it is the only Japanese entry in the battle of bling SUVs. Based on the Nissan Armada and built in Mississippi, it offers more avant garde styling than the big American-brand SUVs do, especially now that the 2008 model has been upgraded with new front and rear fascias and been fitted with 20-inch wheels as standard. Both the Escalade and Navigator have "measly" 18s standard, with larger rims optional.
The 2008 Infiniti QX56 has been noticeably improved inside. Thanks to improvements in materials quality and the design of the instrument panel, the QX's cabin no longer immediately strikes one as a leather-lined derivative of the workaday Nissan Titan pickup cab. Standard equipment now includes keyless start, a power-folding third-row seat and a revised navigation system with voice activation, real-time traffic updates and a 9.3-gigabyte hard drive that can also store music files for the upgraded 12-speaker Bose stereo system. These additions give the QX56 an edge against the 'Slade and 'Gator in terms of high-tech features, and Infiniti is also keeping pricing very competitive as well.
While the Mercedes-Benz GL450 is our top recommendation in the full-size luxury SUV segment, some buyers find it lacks the needed amount of flash that makes the Escalade, Navigator and QX56 so attractive. As such, making a choice largely boils down to personal preference. It could be that the 2008 QX56's updated styling, new high-tech goodies and lower fully loaded price will be enough to unseat the Escalade as the current king of bling for many potential buyers. It just depends on whether they find it chrome-y enough.
Performance & mpg
The 2008 QX56 is offered with either 2WD or 4WD with low-range gearing. Power comes from a 5.6-liter V8 that produces a healthy 320 horsepower and 393 pound-feet of torque. The V8 is matched to a standard five-speed automatic transmission. The QX56 is quick for a full-size SUV, going from zero to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Towing capacity is 9,000 pounds on rear-wheel-drive models when properly equipped. As is typical for this class of vehicle, gas mileage is poor, with 12 mpg city and 17/18 mpg highway using the EPA's revised 2008 testing regimen.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, reverse parking sensors and a rearview monitor are all standard on the 2008 Infiniti QX56. In National Highway Transportation Safety Administration frontal-impact crash tests, the QX56 scored four stars (out of five) for the driver and five stars for the passenger.
Driving
Around town, the 2008 Infiniti QX56 moves out briskly and effortlessly storms up freeway on-ramps to blend into fast-moving traffic. The five-speed automatic provides seamless gearchanges and steps down promptly when a burst of power is needed for quick passing. The QX56's fully independent suspension provides the well-damped ride that luxury SUV buyers expect along with surprisingly nimble handling for a vehicle of its size. Body lean is noticeable when cornering, but it's nothing excessive -- just a reminder to the driver that in spite of the QX56's sure-footed handling, there are still almost 3 tons worth of luxury sport-ute getting tossed around.
Interior
The QX56's instrument panel was completely redesigned for 2008 and is now more befitting a luxury vehicle than the previous setup. Controls are laid out smartly and mirror those found in Infiniti's other vehicles. Materials have also been greatly improved, while real wood trim and soft leather trim continue to decorate the cabin. As a full-size luxury SUV, the QX is more than capable of fitting a large family in comfort. Second-row captain's chairs are standard, as is a removable center console and a power fold-flat third-row bench seat. A fold-flat second-row bench seat that increases passenger capacity to eight is optional. As big as it is, the QX56 has less maximum cargo capacity than a standard-wheelbase Escalade or Navigator, with 97 cubic feet of space. The Infiniti does have more capacity than those two if you're planning to seat passengers in all three rows (20 cubic feet behind the rearmost bench). Unlike the Escalade and Navigator, though, there is no extended-length QX model available that offers even more room.
2008 INFINITI QX56 models
The 2008 Infiniti QX56 is a full-size luxury SUV offered with rear- or four-wheel drive. Standard equipment is plentiful. Every QX comes with 20-inch chromed aluminum wheels, xenon headlights, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, a sunroof and a power liftgate. A power-folding third-row seat, second-row captain's chairs, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, first- and second-row heated seats, power adjustable pedals and power front seats are also included. There are also plenty of electronic gadgets to play with, including keyless start, a navigation system with real-time traffic information (requires an XM Satellite Radio subscription), voice-activated electronic functions, Bluetooth connectivity and a 12-speaker Bose audio system with a 9.3-gigabyte hard drive for digital music storage and playback. Options include adaptive cruise control, a second-row bench that increases seating capacity to eight, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a tow package for rear-wheel-drive models. (It's standard on the QX56 4WD.)
Compare 2008 INFINITI QX56 trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

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Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$338/mo for QX56 Base
QX56 Base
vs
$230/mo
Avg. Large SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3 out of 5 stars3/5Average
#7 out of 20 among Luxury Fullsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$592/yr
vs. $735/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Frequency
1.96x/yr
vs. 1.83x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Severity
15.7%
vs. 16.5%
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
powered by RepairPal
INFINITI QX56 Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Best car I have ever owned. Still rolling 248K
5 out of 5 starsAlaynna, 08/23/2018
2008 INFINITI QX56 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
UPDATE: 268k miles and still going strong! Our trips from New Orleans to Nashville have been in total comfort. Thanks Ray Brandt Infiniti!
I cannot stress enough that MAINTENANCE, MAINTENANCE, MAINTENANCE will keep your vehicle in top running condition. This includes cleaning the interior and exterior at regular intervals, because you know, your car drives and rides better when its … clean :). Purchased used in 2010 with 28k miles from Atlanta. We have owned many Porsche's, BMW's, Ford Expedition, etc. This Infiniti ( 2008 QX56) is the best car we have ever owned. We purchased an extended warranty (100K additional miles) at 95k for $2400 from Carchex years ago in fear of a major catastrophe repair required before we were ready to replace " The Box" (one of many pet names). I'm pretty sure we didn't use the value of the warranty before it expired at 200k It slept in the garage all night but lived outside during the day. It rides and drives like a dream and we have taken it across the country. Minimal expected wear on the interior. Other than rock chips, no damage except for a small pea size dot on the back tailgate. My 2 girls grew up in this car. When we travel, we move into the car. Knock on wood, we have never been stranded in this vehicle. It has serious get up and go for a "bread truck" as we sometimes lovingly refer to it. Yes, at a gas expense. We do go through the effort of only having it serviced at the local Ray Brandt Infiniti dealership (40 miles away) where our service advisers have become like family. We have had no catastrophic failures with the engine, transmission, electrical or cooling/heating. Probably the most costly has been the struts. Then the brakes. Both I consider maintenance items. Oil changes are completed locally every 3-4K. Currently, I have 2 TPS sensors that are dead. Other than that everything on the car is operational. I just purchased a used Porsche Panamera and I refuse to get rid of my Infiniti. I LOVE THE BOX.
2 yrs later- we'd still buy again
4.63 out of 5 starskeg97, 02/17/2010
2008 INFINITI QX56 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
We cross shopped tons of large SUVs (MB GL450, Armada, Toyota Sequoia & Land Cruiser, GMC Denali, Cadillac Escalade, Lexus LX570, ) and this was the obvious choice. The 08 interior upgrade is dramatic and makes this truly feel like a luxury SUV. Lots of technology/luxury (HID lights, keyless start, HDD Navi, Front/Rear Sonar, intelligent cruise control, rear Camera, heated steering … wheel, power 3rd row seat etc.) that make this truck feel like a million bucks. The interior is very flexible. We have the bench seat and 2 car seats and can still get 2-3 adults in the 3rd row. We take several trips/year from VA to HH, SC and can get 16/17 MPG even w/Thule box on top. No issues with reliabilty
Great Chioce
4.88 out of 5 starsCTJ, 04/18/2008
2008 INFINITI QX56 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
This is a great vehicle for the price. Even not factoring in the price, it is a great vehicle. I compared the QX to the Lexus LX 570. The LX has great bells and whistles, but the trade offs for going into the QX with the great price savings make the choice a no brainer.
Very Nice
4.38 out of 5 starsFamily Man, 02/21/2010
2008 INFINITI QX56 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
I have now been driving this Truck for a 2 weeks. I did a small road trip around 400 mile. This truck has a very smooth ride. I would compare to more of a sedan ride. The technology is very user friendly. The cabin is loaded with comfort. The 3rd row is great for little kids which I have. The Dvd is nice and the back cabin heater/ac. The captain chairs in the 2nd row are very nice along … with the push button seats. The drivers control area is well thought out. The only real problem with the Truck is the fuel economy. I am getting 11 mpg in city and 16 mgp highway. One has to be able to afford the gas. If you are driving more than 1000 miles a month I would not buy this truck.
2008 QX56 Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $52,450 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 14 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $338/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
rear wheel drive | |
Warranty | 4 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the QX56 include:
- Back-up camera
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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