2010 Infiniti QX56
A big ride with a big appetite
Wed, Oct 14th 2009
|
| VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| type | 5 door, hatchback, 4wd |
| msrp | $56,060 |
| trans | automatic |
| gas mi. | 12mpg/18mpg |
| rating |  |
For those who believe bigger is better when hauling pups and peps around comfortably, here's your perfect DogCar: the
The big brute is powerful enough to get over just about everything in its path, yet does so with a quiet confidence. There’s no massive roar when accelerating, just a subtle push for extra power.
Climbing into the “Q” may be a challenge for small and/or agility challenged dogs, so a tailgate ramp would be a welcome addition. However the interior is large enough to accommodate at least two midsize crates, with cargo room to spare. And the separate climate controls help keep pups and people comfortable in any situation.
But all that luxury and dog-friendliness comes with a price -- and the QX56 has a couple of tags that may provide sticker shock.
The first is the pathetic fuel mileage that the QX56 achieves – we got 14.3 mpg tops. This paves the way for a $70-plus fill-up from empty. The second is the MSRP, which starts in the mid $50,000 range.
However, if you take away the gas guzzling aspect for a moment, I can certainly say that I enjoyed driving the luxurious QX56.
Technology is everywhere in the Q, with navigations system, satellite radio and heated seats to just start the list. But the adaptive cruise control is perhaps the one thing that takes some practice to get used to. When a vehicle gets too close in front of you, it slows down the engine and applies the brakes – sometimes quite suddenly – to avoid a collision.
The QX56 may not be the most economical bet for a daily dog driver – unless Half Dome is on your commute -- but for weekend adventures to the field for training or for frockling in the snow, it’s a great way to go.
-- Keith Turner
Carguy Comments: The 2010 Infiniti QX56 comes in both two- and four-wheel-drive and features a 5.6-liter V8 engine belting out 320 horsepower. The towing capacity is 9,000 pounds. MSRP:$56,060 (as tested: $59,765).
Barking Lot Banter: When price is no object, but size and luxury is a priority, the Infiniti QX56 is for you.
Love love love this SUV!! Looked long and hard for the right vehicle. Our children are all moved out with families of their own so I really thought I would want a sports car or something of the sort, but since we all live in the same town and frequently go out to dinner and travel together I wasn’t sure what the answer was. Wanted an upscale vehicle and since I was already driving a Lexus that’s the first place I went. I have to say I still adore Lexus but at the time they just didn’t have anything available that I was looking for. Once I drove the Infiniti, nothing else measured up. Yes it’s a beast in size, but that’s probably one of the things I love about it. Even though it sits on truck chassis the ride is awesome. We have taken several long trips in it with and without family and the ride, room, ease of manuverability, dvd player, multiple music capabilities are everything I wanted and my husband tends to want to drive it over his Lexus. Turns out the sports car wasn’t my dream after all. No Regrets! Paula
2010-01-13 23:23:50