2009 INFINITI QX56 Review
Price Estimate: $2,219 - $3,400





+34
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Plenty of electronic wizardry, smooth and powerful V8, pleasant ride and handling characteristics, generous towing capacity, roomy seating areas.
Cons
- Less maximum cargo capacity than some other full-size sport-utilities.
What’s new
After significant revisions last year, the 2009 Infiniti QX56 receives no notable changes.
Edmunds says
The oddly styled but competent 2009 Infiniti QX56 remains a solid choice among full-size premium SUVs.
For sale near Columbus, OH
3 listings
- 128,398 miles
- 2 accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 7 Seats, 12 City / 17 Hwy MPG
- Ayala Auto Sales (307 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Aurora, IL
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
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: 5N3AA08CX9N904165
Stock: 904165
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-24-2024- 148,100 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 12 City / 18 Hwy MPG
- Contemporary Automotive (539 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Northport, AL
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/18 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5N3AA08D29N903262
Stock: 03262
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Vehicle overview
If bling is your thing, you'll find a lot to like about the 2009 Infiniti QX56. Everything from its bold grille to its 20-inch wheels is festooned with mirror-finish brightwork, and the QX56's unorthodox styling makes it stand out amid the sea of cookie-cutter SUVs. Having elbowed its way into an attention-grabbing segment once ruled by domestics like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, the Nissan Armada-based QX56 remains a viable alternative to these gargantuan American utes, even in the sixth year of its current design.
Last year's revisions have helped keep the QX56 competitive. The revamped interior boasts improved materials quality and a bevy of standard premium features like keyless start and a power-folding third-row seat. There's also plenty of state-of-the-art technology, including a navigation system with voice activation, real-time traffic updates and a hard drive that can store a library's worth of music files for the 12-speaker Bose audio system. As ever, the QX56 is surprisingly enjoyable to drive for such a massive vehicle, thanks to its well-controlled ride and willing V8. And while it's not a segment leader in cargo capacity, it will still haul more people and packages than most other SUVs on the road.
As is often the case with luxury vehicles, choosing the one for your driveway is largely a matter of personal preference rather than objective rankings. If a classy but subdued presence is more your speed, we suggest looking at the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. If you want the biggest and brawniest luxury SUV on the block, it's hard to top the Escalade. But if you're partial to big, bright and shiny and the domestic luxury offerings seem a bit too traditional, then by all means, express yourself with the 2009 Infiniti QX56.
Performance & mpg
The 2009 QX56 is motivated by a 5.6-liter V8 that produces 320 horsepower and 393 pound-feet of torque. This robust engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission in either rear-wheel-drive or 4WD layouts, with the 4WD version offering low-range gearing for tackling serious off-road terrain. The QX56 is relatively quick for such a large vehicle, managing the 0-60-mph sprint in 7.3 seconds. Towing capacity is a beefy 9,000 pounds on properly equipped 2WD models. As is typical for a large SUV, the QX56 gulps fuel at an aggressive rate. EPA estimated fuel economy for a 4WD model is 12 mpg city/17 mpg highway and 14 mpg combined.
Safety
The 2009 Infiniti QX56 comes standard with antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, active front head restraints, front-seat side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. Past models were criticized for weak brakes, but that problem was addressed in last year's refresh, and the QX56's brakes now perform satisfactorily. In frontal impact crash testing, the big Infiniti scored a perfect five stars out of five for driver protection and four stars for the front passenger.
Driving
The 2009 Infiniti QX56 accelerates swiftly both around town and on the highway, with seamless gearchanges and quick downshifts for overtaking slower traffic. Its fully independent suspension provides an impressive trade-off between a well-damped luxury ride and sure-footed handling. There's a significant amount of body roll during cornering, but that's to be expected when pushing nearly 3 tons of luxury and utility through twists and turns.
Interior
The Infiniti QX56's cabin received a welcome and overdue upgrade last year. The redesigned instrument panel and higher-quality materials are more in keeping with this SUV's mid-$50,000 luxury price tag. Real wood, soft leather and creature comforts abound, making the spacious QX56 a comfortable companion on longer trips. The standard seating arrangement includes second-row captain's chairs with a removable center console and a power fold-flat third-row bench. For those who need to accommodate up to eight, a flat-folding second-row 40/20/40 split bench seat is available. However, the QX56 provides a somewhat disappointing 97 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity -- more than the smaller Lexus GX 470 or Mercedes-Benz G-Class but less than the comparably sized Escalade or Navigator.
2009 INFINITI QX56 models
The 2009 Infiniti QX56 is a full-size luxury SUV available in two- or four-wheel-drive versions with standard seven-passenger seating. The comprehensive standard equipment list includes 20-inch chrome wheels, an auto-leveling rear suspension, xenon headlights, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a sunroof, a power liftgate, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power front seats, second-row fold-flat captain's chairs, a power-folding third-row seat and first- and second-row heated seats. The QX56 is also a technological tour de force, thanks to equipment like keyless start, a hard-drive-based navigation system with real-time traffic information, voice-activated electronic functions, Bluetooth connectivity and a 12-speaker Bose audio system with 9.3 GB of built-in digital music storage.
Options are limited to a second-row split bench seat, a technology package with adaptive cruise control and front sonar sensors, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a towing package for two-wheel-drive models (standard on 4WD).

2026 Infiniti QX60 Gains Google Built-In Tech and a Bangin' Stereo

Infiniti QX50 and QX55 Will Die Later This Year

Infiniti Just Killed the Q50, Its Last Sedan

2025 Infiniti QX80 First Drive: Everything Is New in This Flagship SUV
Compare 2009 INFINITI QX56 trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$342/mo for QX56 Base
QX56 Base
vs
$227/mo
Avg. Large SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
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.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 INFINITI QX56, so we've included reviews for other years of the QX56 since its last redesign.
2009 QX56 Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $55,050 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 14 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $342/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 RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 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
People who viewed this also viewed
3.7 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
Starting at $50,200 |
Starting at $57,520 |
3.7 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
Starting at $89,200 |
Related Used 2009 INFINITI QX56 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Audi A4 Allroad 2021 Review
- Infiniti QX80 2021 Review
- Toyota Prius 2020 Review
- Honda Passport 2021 Review
- Rolls Royce Cullinan 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used INFINITI EX 2019
- Used INFINITI EX 2020
- Used INFINITI EX 2023
- Used INFINITI EX35 2015
- Used INFINITI EX35 2017
- Used INFINITI FX 2014
- Used INFINITI FX 2016
- Used INFINITI FX 2017
- Used INFINITI JX 2015
- Used INFINITI JX 2017
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 XC60
- New Dodge Ram Pickup 2500
- 2024 BMW 4 Series
- McLaren GTS 2025
- 2024 BMW X5 M
- 2024 3500
- Audi SQ7 2025
- New BMW X6
- New Cadillac ATS
- 2026 Volvo XC40 News
Research other models of INFINITI
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- Used Cadillac XLR in Columbia, TN 2009
- Used Volkswagen Golf-R in Waipahu, HI 2025
- Used BMW M3-CS in Troy, OH 2024
- New Genesis GV70 for Sale in North Royalton, OH
- New Mazda CX-70 for Sale in West Des Moines, IA
- Used Nissan Murano-Crosscabriolet in Lebanon, OH 2014
- Used Land-Rover LR4 in La Quinta, CA 2016
- Used Suzuki XL7 in Savage, MD 2009
- New BMW M8-Gran-Coupe for Sale in Nashville, TN
- New Subaru Solterra for Sale in Pompano Beach, FL