But despite a few less than premium quality trim pieces, every time I drove the QX I came back smiling. Like most Infinitis,
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| Like most vehicles in the Infiniti lineup, the brand's full-size SUV feels like a class leader in driving dynamics. (Photo: Infiniti Canada) |
the brand's full-size SUV feels like a class leader in driving dynamics. It goes quicker, stops faster, turns in easier and negotiates emergency moves more adeptly than any of its full-size rivals. The first, acceleration, is taken care of via a wonderfully throaty 32-valve, DOHC 5.6-liter V8. The big engine makes 315 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 390 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. That's 10 more horsepower and 5 additional lb-ft of torque than the Armada, which it needs due to its slightly heavier 2,554 kg (5,631 lb) curb weight. How does it fare against the Escalade and Navigator? Quite well actually, which is what I expected considering the swift kick in the backside that the QX gives its occupants when getting full onto the throttle from standstill. The QX56 scoots to 100 km/h in about seven and a half seconds (don't go by the 10.7 seconds shown in the technical specs section of this website as the number is way off). That's highly respectable considering its overall mass, and makes sense being that the Escalade and Navigator manage the feat in 8.7 and 7.8 seconds respectively. The Infiniti's slight edge comes down to a variety of factors, including its
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| The wonderfully throaty 32-valve, DOHC 5.6-liter V8 engine produces 315 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Infiniti Canada) |
additional 15 ponies over the equally sophisticated but less brawny 300 horsepower 5.4-liter Navigator V8, which also gets 4-valves per cylinder and DOHC. It loses 30 to the 345 horsepower 6.0-liter OHV V8 in the Escalade, but compensates with 10 lb-ft more torque and a substantial 35 lb-ft over the Lincoln. Its lower curb weight also helps. As just mentioned the QX56 weighs in at 2,554 kilos (5,631 pounds) compared to the next heaviest Navigator at 2,595 kg (5,721 lbs) and the brutish Escalade at 2,635 kg (5,809 lbs). Its acceleration advantage is also partially due to its gearing. The QX sports a 5-speed automatic transmission compare to the 4-speed units featured on both the Nav and Escalade.
