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Not beautiful but a pleasure when driven

Infiniti QX56 is the high-end luxury version of the full-size Nissan Armada. Its interior is sharply designed and luxurious, nicely finished in quality leather, wood and aluminum.

Nissan and its luxury division, Infiniti, have made great gains over the past few years largely on the basis of attractively styled cars and trucks that are strikingly modern and evocative.

The QX56 is not one of them.

Instead, we have a heavy-looking sport utility vehicle with all the visual finesse of a battering ram. The front aspect, with its huge grille, wears a smug expression straight from a Disney cartoon.

The SUV also looks weird from the side. Like the Nissan Armada, from which QX56 is derived, the roofline is roundly contoured over the doors, then sharply straightened out over the rear glass. The odd effect is that the SUV is sagging in the middle.

Once behind the wheel, it’s easy to forget the lapses in the looks department. Infiniti’s flagship SUV, despite its size and heft, drives nicely with plenty of power and sophistication. The interior is roomy and beautifully finished with loads of standard equipment.

As expected, fuel mileage is abysmal. That’s a major concern during these days of $2-a-gallon gas prices, which have put a dent in sales of full-size SUVs and other gas hogs.

QX56 competes against such top-drawer SUVs as Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and Lexus LX 430. As the new luxury truck on the crowded block, the Infiniti could have a struggle ahead of it.

Unless, of course, it gets tuned in by the bling-bling customizers.

What it is

A full-size, full-on luxury SUV from Infiniti, loaded with high-end features, this Japanese-brand truck is built in Mississippi with an engine assembled in Tennessee.

Performance

The brawny 5.6-liter double-overhead-cam V-8 delivers 315 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, enough for this 5,600-pound behemoth to pull like a buffalo. Accelerating, passing and/or merging with freeway traffic are strong and smooth.

Towing capacity is 8,900 pounds. Or a seriously big boat.

This sophisticated engine is made of aluminum and boasts a number of advanced features, including electronic “drive by wire” throttle.

The transmission is an electronic five-speed automatic with a tow setting for heavy loads and a gated shifter for choosing your own gear.

Of course, there’s the usual price to pay for power, performance and heft. Fuel mileage is a miserable 13 miles per gallon city and 18 highway, according to the EPA. I don’t think I did so well.

Drivability

Engine-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering, independent rear suspension with load-leveling air shocks, a fully boxed steel frame for strength and rigidity, and electronic Vehicle Dynamic Control to fight skids are all part of the equation that helps QX drive like a luxury craft.

But although the steering is quick, the brakes are solid and the handling is reasonably good, QX needs to be driven with respect to its mass and high center of gravity. In other words, it may drive like a mammoth sedan, but it’s still a truck.

Nissan has endowed the four-wheel-drive QX with top-shelf off-roading gear, including an electronic full-time four-wheeling system, low-range gearing, an electronically controlled transfer case and traction control.

I was loath to take this $50,000 glory wagon off the highway, however, as most owners will be. A shame, really. For most folks, the rear-wheel-drive version would be preferable.

Styling

As noted, I’m not too crazy about the way this thing looks. Considering such recent standout Infinitis as the G35 sedan and coupe, and the strangely effective F4x5 crossover SUV, QX seems like stylistic clunker.

But the fit and finish exude quality, and the overall appearance is rich and jewel-like.

The bright-chrome 18-inch spoked wheels give QX urban-cruising credentials.

Interior

Now, here’s where QX shines. The lush cabin is nicely finished in quality leather, wood and aluminum with the same sort of edgy detailing that helps current Nissan and Infiniti vehicles stand out.

With seating for seven or eight, depending on configuration, plus decent cargo space in the rear, QX provides a cushy and stable environment for driver and passengers.

QX includes a wealth of standard features, such as fold-flat second- and third-row seats, DVD navigation system, premium Bose 10-speaker audio, dual zone front and rear climate control, full-power seats, overhead console with lighting for each passenger, two 12-volt power outlets, power rear liftgate, full side-curtain safety air bags, and 12 cupholders.

Pricing

Optional equipment on the $50,400 four-wheel-drive QX56 test truck included power glass sunroof, $1,200; rear-view backup camera and intelligent cruise control, which uses radar to keep a set distance behind other vehicles, $1,100; splash guards, $100; and shipping, $680.

That’s $53,480 worth of size and luxury.

Bottom line

A premium luxury SUV with a gorgeous interior, good performance and loads of space. Unfortunately hampered by blocky styling and dismal fuel mileage.