| Year Make Model | 2011 Infiniti QX56 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A) |
| Vehicle Type | 4WD 4dr 8-passenger SUV |
| Base MSRP | $60,750 |
| Options on test vehicle | Deluxe Touring Package ($5,800 -- 22-by-8-inch 9-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels with P275/50R22 H-rated all-season performance tires, Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row seats, remote tip-up second-row seats for easy third-row entry and exit, semi-aniline leather seating, Mocha Burl trim, second-row footwell lighting, Advanced Climate Control System [ACCS] with auto recirculation, Plasmacluster air purifier and Grape Polyphenol Filter, headlight washers); Technology Package ($2,850 -- Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning [LDW] and Lane Departure Prevention [LDP] systems, Distance Control Assist [DCA], Intelligent Brake Assist [IBA] with Forward Collision Warning [FCW], Blind Spot Warning, front pre-crash seatbelts, auto-leveling headlights with adaptive front lighting system [AFS]); Theater Package ($2,450 -- Dual 7-inch color monitors DVD system, two wireless headphones, wireless remote control, auxiliary audio/video input jacks and 120V power outlet located at the rear part of first-row center console); Illuminated Kick Plates ($390 -- Front doorsills with soft glowing "Infiniti" logo along their bottom); Roof Rail Crossbars ($320). |
| As-tested MSRP | $72,560 |
| Assembly location | Japan |
| Configuration | Longitudinal, front-engine, four-wheel drive |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated, direct-injected, V8, gasoline |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 5,552cc (339cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder, variable exhaust-valve timing, variable intake-valve timing and lift |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.8 |
| Redline, indicated (rpm) | 6,000 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 400 @ 5,800 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 413 @ 4,000 |
| Fuel type | Premium unleaded (recommended) |
| Transmission type | 7-speed automatic, console shifter with manual mode, tow-haul mode, snow mode |
| Transmission ratios (x:1) | I = 4.89; II = 3.17; III = 2.03; IV = 1.41; V = 1.00; VI = 0.86; VII = 0.78 |
| Final-drive ratio (x:1) | 2.94 |
| Transfer-case ratio (x:1) | 2.70 |
| Suspension, front | Independent double-wishbone with high-mount upper arm, coil springs, hydraulic body motion control |
| Suspension, rear | Independent double-wishbone, coil springs, auto-leveling air springs, hydraulic body motion control |
| Steering type | Hydraulic-assist, speed-proportional, rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 19.7 |
| Tire make and model | Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684 II |
| Tire type | All-season |
| Tire size, front | P275/50R22 111H |
| Tire size, rear | P275/50R22 111H |
| Tire size | P275/50R22 111H |
| Wheel size, front | 22-by-8 |
| Wheel size, rear | 22-by-8 |
| Wheel size | 22-by-8 |
| Wheel material | Cast-aluminum alloy |
| Brakes, front | 13.8-in ventilated cast-iron discs with 2-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 13.8-in ventilated cast-iron discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 2.6 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 4.5 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 6.8 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 10.2 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 15.1 @ 92.8 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 6.5 |
| 0-30 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 2.8 |
| 0-45 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 4.6 |
| 0-60 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 7.0 |
| 0-75 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 10.4 |
| 1/4-mile, trac ON (sec. @ mph) | 15.1 @ 92.6 |
| 0-60, trac ON with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 6.5 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 31 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 123 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 56.3 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON | 55.9 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.70 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON | 0.69 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 43.0 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 71.1 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 66.1 |
| Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm) | 1,900 |
| Acceleration comments | Absolutely refuses pedal overlap for a snappy launch, but the electronic throttle can be whacked to the floor at the same moment the brake is released for a couple of extra thenths. Once under way, the QX feels fast for its size. There is, however, some sort of surging mid-gear at wide-open throttle. I imagine "it" has to do with the auto 4WD sorting out grip and torque distribution. Upshifts are quite smooth and occur right at redline. |
| Braking comments | Medium-firm pedal gets firmer at bottom of stroke. Less dive than expected from such a tall/heavy SUV. Also, good fade resistance with the 4th stop shorter than the first. |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: With ESC "off" (not really) the QX breathes off the throttle to maintain sub-limit speed. With ESC on, it taps individual brakes to net the same electronically-limited result. Steering feel appropriately weighted at this speed. Body roll is present, but not excessive for a vehicle of this heft. Slalom: As with any non-defeat ESC, smoothness is rewarded. In either "on" or so-called "off," the QX goes into self-preservation mode at the slightest sound of tire squeal or quick movements of the steering wheel. Still, for its size and mass, the QX feels confident, stable and responsive. |
| Test date | 7/13/2010 |
| Test location | Auto Club Speedway |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 92.1 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 23.6 |
| Barometric pressure (in. Hg) | 28.7 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 6.7, headwind |
| Odometer (mi.) | 4,789 |
| Fuel used for test | 91-octane gasoline |
| As-tested tire pressures, f/r (psi) | 35/35 |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 14 city/20 highway/16 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 15.4 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 26.0 |
| Driving range (mi.) | 520 |
| Stereo description | Standard Bose 13-speaker premium audio |
| iPod/digital media compatibility | Standard iPod/MP3 player USB jack, streaming Bluetooth audio, auxilliary RCA audio/video inputs |
| Satellite radio | Standard XM |
| Hard-drive music storage capacity (Gb) | Standard 9.3 |
| Rear seat video and entertainment | Optional DVD player with 7-inch dual headrest monitors and RCA inputs |
| Bluetooth phone connectivity | Standard |
| Navigation system | Standard hard drive with traffic |
| Smart entry/Start | Standard ignition, doors, hatch |
| Parking aids | Standard parking sonar, perimeter + back-up camera system |
| Blind-spot detection | Optional |
| Adaptive cruise control | Optional |
| Lane-departure monitoring | Optional departure warning w/active correction |
| Collision warning/avoidance | Optional |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 5,850 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 6,038 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 51.9/48.1 |
| Length (in.) | 208.3 |
| Width (in.) | 79.9 |
| Height (in.) | 75.8 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 121.1 |
| Track, front (in.) | 67.5 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 67.9 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 41.6 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 39.6 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 41.0 |
| Legroom, 3rd row (in.) | 28.8 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 39.9 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 40.0 |
| Headroom, 3rd row (in.) | 36.8 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 63.8 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 63.5 |
| Shoulder room, 3rd row (in.) | 60.5 |
| Seating capacity | 7 |
| Step-in height, measured (in.) | 22.9 |
| Max cargo volume behind 1st row (cu-ft) | 95.1 |
| behind 3rd row (cu-ft) | 16.6 |
| Cargo loading height, measured (in.) | 36.8 |
| GVWR (lbs.) | 7,500 |
| GCWR (lbs.) | 14,480 |
| Tow capacity, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 8,500 |
| Tow capacity, as equipped (lbs.) | 8,292 |
| Ground clearance (in.) | 9.2 |
| Approach angle (degrees) | 20.9 |
| Departure angle (degrees) | 22.3 |
| Breakover angle (degrees) | 20.7 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 6 years/70,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 7 years/Unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | 4 years/60,000 miles |
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