Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
The model I drove recently is no longer named QX56, but rather has been rechristened QX80 for 2014 as a result of Infiniti’s revised naming scheme. I don’t think fans of the big ute will care, as it’s the exact same vehicle from bow to stern. And while the name is new, the QX really didn’t need any changes to keep it competitive. Infiniti gave its largest model a mid-cycle upgrade two years ago for the 2013 model year, complete with the Essence Concept-sourced grille that has since been made more popular on the new Q50 sport sedan and prior to the QX
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Climbing inside reminds that the QX80 is no car-based crossover. It’s a tall SUV, but Infiniti has supplied standard side steps to make ingress and egress much easier. Once in the driver’s seat there’s no mistaking the big SUV for an entry-level model. It’s downright rich! Padded soft-touch materials are everywhere, but not just pliable plastics. Infiniti has swathed much of the massive cabin in French-stitched leather. You’ll find it in the usual places, such as the steering
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Once you use proximity sensing keyless access to get inside, and a pushbutton to start the engine (if you haven’t already done so with the remote start feature), the QX80’s standard electronics include an eight-inch colour touch-screen infotainment display actuated via a large rotating controller and surrounding buttons located just below the screen on the centre stack. The system allows access to navigation with lane guidance and 3D enhancements, an Around View monitor with moving object detection, audio functions, climate-control, fuel economy and maintenance info, plus comfort and convenience features, the latter including NavTraffic, Zagat restaurant guide, and Infiniti Connection telematics. I also
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
That steering wheel is powered to tilt and telescope as needed, while a two-way memory
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
That last item is standard because most people buy the QX80 with intentions to tow something big, such as a boat or camp trailer. Of course, the inclusion of tow mode is a given, but unexpected to some will be the big Infiniti’s capability to tow up to 3,855 kilos (8,500 lbs). I never had opportunity to lug a 28-foot Airstream Land Yacht up a steep grade or Bayliner 285 down to the boat launch, but I don’t doubt it would manage these tasks easily. The big 5.6-litre engine’s 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque pushed the 2,500-plus-kilo (5,633-lb) SUV forward without any hesitation from standstill up to highway speeds, its six-speed automatic as smooth as smooth can be.
Smooth
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Along with its aforementioned towing capability, QX80 buyers ante up to the SUV for its off-road prowess, something car-based CUVs can’t compete with. The QX80 is a fully-fledged 4×4, although its four-wheel drive system isn’t an old-school part-time setup but rather Infiniti’s All-Mode
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
While all of this is great, the best news is the QX80’s value proposition. Starting at only $73,200 plus $1,995 shipping for either the seven- or eight-occupant version it’s the best deal in the large luxury SUV class. My seven-passenger tester also included the $8,150 Technology package that adds such niceties as a leather- and wood-wrapped steering wheel, advanced climate control, intelligent cruise control with full-speed range, Distance Control Assist, Hydraulic Body Motion Control, adaptive auto-leveling headlights, Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Blind Spot Intervention (BSI), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), backup collision intervention (BCI), front seat pre-crash seatbelts, and last but hardly
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
I try not to get emotionally attached to the vehicles I write about, but the QX80 is kind of like my friend’s golden retriever/standard poodle cross that we just took care of over the weekend. It’s big, friendly, accommodating, runs faster and changes directions quicker than something of its size should, mostly does what it’s told and looks so nice doing it that strangers walk across the street just to say hi. Like Harvey, I had a hard time letting the QX80 go home.
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