Test complete video: 2011 Infiniti QX56

Consumer Reports News: November 05, 2010 09:08 AM

Find Ratings

SUVs

See Dealer Pricing

Big full-size luxury SUVs have been viewed as dinosaurs roaming the automotive landscape. Threats of higher fuel prices and a social stigma pose challenges to their survival. But a market for these vehicles remains. So despite the apparent looming extinction of these species, Infiniti introduced a redesign of their long-in-tooth QX56 luxury liner.

The QX used to be based off of the Nissan Titan/Armada platform. This version makes a shift to a platform shared by the Nissan Patrol, a rugged rival to the Toyota Land Cruiser overseas. As such, the QX is fabulous off-road, strolling up our difficult rock hill course with ease.

But it's certainly not at ease on the road. There's no disguising the QX's bulk. It's tall and clumsy to drive. The wide QX lumbers down roads, fully occupying country lanes. It's easier to drive the QX on the wide open highway, where the absorbent ride cushions out bumps.

The powertrain is a high point. There's constant flow of smooth, refined power, as you'd expect from a 400-hp, 5.6-liter V8. Fuel economy is par for the course. You'd also expect a sumptuous interior from Infiniti, and this plush cabin doesn't disappoint. A huge second-row seat and built-in headrest screens make the back seat a nice place to be. (The third-row, on the other hand, is not.)

But there is an unfortunate surprise. In our handling tests around our track, if you lift off the throttle in a corner, the QX's tail can slide out more than one would expect before the stability control kicks in. That's really not a desirable trait in a tall SUV.

For those buyers who need off-road capability or to tow a heavy trailer, the QX provides a luxurious, roomy alternative. For the well-heeled suburban families that Infiniti is targeting, there are several other luxury SUVs that are better choices.

Read our full Infiniti QX56 road test.

—Tom Mutchler