That begs the question of why the QX exists at all. I suppose when the model was in its planning stages full-size luxury SUVs were
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| When the QX was in the planning stages, full-size luxury SUVs were still flying out of showrooms. (Photo: Infiniti Canada) |
getting nabbed right off the back of the transporter truck let alone the showroom floor, so it makes sense Infiniti dealers would have been petitioning the brand to give them one. But the Armada was extremely late to the SUV party, and even when it arrived most auto market analysts were questioning if it was too much too late. Sales of the big Nissan, which have been anything but brisk, seem like proof that these experts may have been right. I suppose it didn't take a heck of a lot of work to reposition the Armada as a QX56 either, at least compared to all the efforts Cadillac and Lincoln have made to distinguish their luxury SUVs. On the inside the QX is a thoroughly upgraded Armada, arguably offering the sound deadening refinements and materials quality the Armada should already have incorporated considering its $65K plus fully-loaded price tag.
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| On the inside, the QX is a thoroughly upgraded Armada, featuring higher quality plastics and gorgeous wood trim. (Photo: Infiniti Canada) |
Personally, I like the changes made to the QX, and if in the market for a luxury trailer-tower would take it over the Armada. For instance, the greenhouse pillars are all cloth in the Infiniti, compared to hard plastic in the Nissan, and the roofliner is much higher quality. It seems like there are much nicer plastics all-round, but I didn't have an Armada close at hand to compare it with so I can't verify that point. The wood, however, is a major step up over the faux metal that covers conspicuous interior trim, including the lower console, door grips and steering wheel, the latter just leather on the Armada. Not only is this wood nicer than anything available with the Armada, but it's some of the best in the industry period. Maybe I'm just a sucker for light-color stains, or that feeling a solid plank of high-quality furniture exudes, but either way the wood does a lot for me.
