2008 Infiniti QX56 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

The 2008 Infiniti QX56 gets freshened exterior and interior appearance. QX56 is a luxury-trimmed version of the Nissan Armada SUV from Infiniti's parent company. The powertrain teams a 320-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 9000 lb. QX56 is available with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. QX56 seats seven with 2nd-row buckets, or eight with an optional 2nd-row bench. The 3rd-row bench is split 60/40 and for '08 has standard power folding. A navigation system, rear obstacle detection, wireless cell phone link, load-leveling suspension, and a rearview camera are standard. Newly standard are 20-inch wheels and keyless access and starting. Freshened interior styling includes real aluminum and wood trim. DVD entertainment is optional.

Competition

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Typically based on mainstream Large SUVs, Premium Large SUVs are super-sized luxury liners. All are powerful, pricey, and extremely thirsty at the pump.

Our Best Buy is the Cadillac Escalade. Our Recommended picks are the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Lexus LX 570 and Toyota Land Cruiser.

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2008 Infiniti QX56 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Fuel economy

Cargo room	Third-row seat room/comfort

Interior materials

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

4WD Base	Class Average
5	5.8

QX56 weighs several hundred pounds more than Armada. It's no neck snapper, but getaways and passing sprints are reasonably brisk for a big, heavy SUV. One test model suffered from a slightly touchy throttle, which caused it to lurch slightly from a stop.

Fuel Economy

4WD Base	Class Average
1	2.2

A test 4WD QX56 averaged just 12.7 mpg in city/highway driving. Infiniti recommends premium-grade gas.

Ride Quality

4WD Base	Class Average
6	6.4

QX56 is a tad smoother than Armada, but rough roads still induce some shuddery jiggle. This Infiniti smothers most small bumps and stays reasonably flat over large swells.

Steering/Handling/Braking

4WD Base	Class Average
4	4.2

Big-truck ponderous, especially in close quarters, but QX56 is capable on winding roads within its limits. Straightline stability is very good, but some of our testers say the steering lacks sharp on-center feel.

Quietness

4WD Base	Class Average
6	6.8

Extra sound insulation makes QX56 a bit quieter than Armada, but the engine still roars during full-throttle acceleration. Tire thrum intrudes on coarse pavement, but wind rush is subdued.

Controls

4WD Base	Class Average
6	6

Infiniti revised the interior design to this large SUV's benefit. Many controls are similar to that of the company's G midsize sedan, and that's a good thing. Most controls are intuitive and clearly marked, though a few buttons are a stretch for either driver or passenger to easily reach. The navigation system is easy to program and incorporates few audio and no climate functions.

Details

4WD Base	Class Average
7	7.6

Again, the revised interior design works in QX56's favor. Assembly quality is very good. Many padded surfaces and soft-touch materials are fitting of this SUV's premium pricing.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

4WD Base	Class Average
9	8.6

Occupants ride high on wide, supportive seats with ample headroom and legroom. The included power-adjustable seat, pedals, and power tilt steering column are boons for driver comfort. Visibility is generally good, but QX56's tall stance hides close-by objects. The rearview camera helps, but it's more susceptible to collecting road grime than rival systems.

Room/Comfort (rear)

4WD Base	Class Average
7	7.1

Running boards help mitigate the lofty step-in but not the high-mounted outer door handles or narrow entryway. Space in the 2nd row is bountiful, but the seats are ordinary for shape and comfort. The 2nd-row seats tilt up for easier access to the 3rd row, but flipping the seats is an awkward, multi-step process. Space in the 3rd row is tight for adults.

Cargo Room

4WD Base	Class Average
9	8.5

There's only grocery-bag space behind the 3rd row seat, plus modest under-floor storage. The split 3rd-row backrests power fold down to extend the load deck. The 2nd row requires rotating the seat cushions, then dropping the seatbacks. Numerous bins, pockets, and beverage holders create very good small-item storage.

Value within Class

4WD Base	Class Average
4	5.4

Infiniti's reworking of the QX56 brings its interior decor in line with other premium-class competitors. Still, this big rig doesn't trounce its key competitors any more than does the less-expensive Nissan Armada on which it is based. Still, this is a capable SUV that also boasts the promise of kid-gloves customer service associated with a premium brand.

Total Score

4WD Base	Class Average
64	68.6

Scores for all Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		55
Average Score		68
High Score		80

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2008 Infiniti QX56 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 03/13/2008

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD Base 4-door wagon	$52,250	$47,997	$815

4WD Base 4-door wagon	$55,350	$50,838	$815

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

5.6-liter V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags w/rollover deployment, front-seat active head restraints, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, rear-obstacle-detection system, tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls and manual rear controls, heated power tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front and 2nd-row bucket seats, 10-way power driver seat, 8-way power passenger seat, power-adjustable pedals, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, pedals), 3rd-row power-folding bench seat, wood and aluminum interior trim, heated power mirrors w/automatic day/night and turn signals, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, keyless access and starting, power sunroof, Bose AM/FM/CD/MP3 player w/rear controls, hard drive, digital-media player connection, satellite radio, tachometer, navigation system w/voice recognition and traffic information, rearview camera, wireless cell phone link, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, power liftgate, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, xenon headlights, rear privacy glass, fog lights, roof rack, running boards.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Load-leveling suspension, full-size spare tire, 275/60R20 tires, chrome alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, tow-hitch receiver, 7-wire harness, skid plates.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Technology Pkg.
Base	$1,150	$991
Front-obstacle-detection system, adaptive cruise control. Requires DVD entertainment system.

Tow Pkg.
2WD	$350	$302
Tow-hitch receiver, 7-wire harness. Requires DVD entertainment system.

Comfort and Convenience Features
DVD entertainment system
Base	$1,700	$1,465


2nd-row split folding seat
Base	$0	$0


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Mud guards
2WD	$215	$144

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2008 Infiniti QX56 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Infiniti QX56 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	123.2

Overall Length, in.	206.9

Overall Width, in.	79.5

Overall Height, in.	77.8

Curb Weight, lbs.	--

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	61.2

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	28.0

Seating Capacity	8

Front Head Room, in.	41.0

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.8

Rear Head Room, in.	40.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	41.9

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	5.6 /341

Horsepower @ rpm.	320 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	393 @ 3400

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	12/17

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Infiniti QX56 4-door wagon

4WD Rollover	3

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	3

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	6/70,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/60,000	--

Corrosion	7/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive

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Also in the 2008 Infiniti QX56 Review:

Infiniti QX56

Infiniti QX56 Road Test

Infiniti QX56 Prices & Equipment

Infiniti QX56 Specs & Safety

Infiniti QX56 Photos