By Cars.com Staff
Cars.com National April 20, 2010Vehicle Overview
Now in its second generation, Infiniti's enormous QX56 adopts the brand's styling to look a bit more like its smaller cohorts. The standard 5.6-liter V-8 getsdirect fuel injection and now makes 400 horsepower. Thanks to a new seven-speed automatic transmission, Infiniti says gas mileage is up more than 10 percent compared with the outgoing QX. Competitors include the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.
The QX comes in rear- or four-wheel drive.
Exterior
Slightly longer and wider but down 3.8 inches in height, the QX carries elements similar to Infiniti's cars and crossovers. A massive grille ps the hood, dwarfing the headlights and fog lights. Above the front fenders sit three chrome portals — a styling feature Buick has made plenty of hay with. Alloy wheels measure 20 inches in diameter.
Xenon headlights are standard; swiveling adaptive headlights with power washers are optional. Power-folding side mirrors include turn-signal indicators and puddle lamps. A power tailgate is also available. Optional equipment includes 22-inch wheels that are packaged with Hydraulic Body Motion Control, which fights body roll while cornering, Infiniti says.
Interior
The redesigned interior sports more three-dimensional gauges, a four-spoke steering wheel and gathered leather inserts along the doors. An available rear entertainment system can play two video sources on separate screens.
With captain's chairs in the second row, the QX seats up to seven; a three-seat bench in the second row increases capacity to eight. The captain's chairs can tip up to facilitate third-row entry. The third row can power-fold into the floor, and it also has a power-reclining function.
Standard features include leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a CD stereo with both a USB jack and Bluetooth streaming audio capabilities. Options include a Bose stereo, cooled front seats and heated rear seats.
Under the Hood
Fortified with direct fuel injection, Infiniti's 5.6-liter V-8 now makes 400 hp and 413 pounds-feet of torque. It works with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The QX's four-wheel-drive system has an on-demand automatic mode; for tougher conditions, it has an electronic transfer case with high and low modes.
Safety
Standard safety features include front, side-impact and three-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensors. Active front head restraints, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system are also standard. Adaptive cruise control, Infiniti's Around View Monitor, a blind spot warning system and a lane departure mitigation system are optional.
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