2006 Infiniti QX56 4x4

Architecture on Wheels

I don't know what "QX" stands for -- but there should be a second "X." The 2006 Infiniti QX56 4x4 is double extra large, double luxurious and double S-E-X-X-Y. With a base price of $52,550 ($55,300 as tested including a $1,200 sunroof, $800 intelligent cruise control and a $750 destination charge), the 2006 Infiniti QX56 4x4 comes with a 4 year/60,000 mile basic warranty, a 6 year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty and an EPA estimate of 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway. Round up six close friends, and let's drive.

If the QX56 looks familiar, it should -- it shares a platform with the Nissan Armada, and some styling cues with much of the Nissan SUV lineup (Armada, Pathfinder and Xterra). QX56 is the same basic size as Armada -- that is to say, ginormous. With a 123.2" wheelbase, it is almost 207" long, over 78" wide and over 77" tall -- that's 6'5", tall enough to make driving through most parking garages a scary experience. And QX56 does nothing to camouflage its size. In fact, with its array of big flat surfaces and sharp corners, it reminds me of a Frank Gehry building, like the Walt Disney Concert Hall of SUVs.

One feature that the QX56 has in common with its Nissan cousins is an inconveniently placed, shoulder-height door handle for the rear passenger doors. As cool a design feature as this may be, it means that shorter passengers and kids won't be able to open their doors easily from the outside. If you're carrying a heavy load, you'll have to put it down before you try and reach the handle.

QX56 comes standard with big 18" chrome wheels and a matching full-sized spare, a nice touch. There's plenty of highly polished chrome on the QX56's exterior, from the grille to trim to nameplates, and it's eye-catching. Paint quality is flawless, and gaps and seams are precise to the millimeter. There's a lot of SUV here to look at, and it's all top-notch.

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Good thing running boards are standard equipment on the QX56, because the seat height is substantial, even for a big guy like me (I'm 6'2"). I always rave about the Infiniti seats, and here I go again. They're covered with the best leather this side of a baseball glove -- thick and rich, soft yet tough -- with just the right amount of padding and firm support. The first two rows of seats are heated, sharing the wealth all around.

The QX56's dash is well-laid out, simple and to the point. I really like the big air conditioning vents -- they seem to move a lot of air in a hurry, which is imperative in a big greenhouse like the QX56's. The center stack houses a Bose 6-CD changer and a 7" color screen, which displays pertinent control information and DVD Navigation. Infiniti's got a good nav system, and it's included in the base price of the QX56. The screen also connects with a rear-view camera, which activates automatically when the SUV is put into reverse. Good thing, too, because visibility to the rear is awful, and you could really eat some mailboxes without that camera.

The second row of seats is available as a pair of captain's chairs with a center console, or as a 60/40 split folding bench seat at no extra charge. My test vehicle came with the bench, which was comfortable and easy to fold. There's actually room for three adults to sit, so if you need the most capacity, go for the bench seat. The third row is adequate for two average-sized adults on a short jaunt.

Is it possible for a 5700 lb SUV to be described as "nimble"? Alright, maybe not nimble, but light on its feet? Well, the QX56 manages to fit the description, thanks in part to front and rear stabilizer bars that help reduce body roll and an independent auto leveling rear suspension. The 5.6 liter DOHC V8 doesn't hurt, either, cranking out 315 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque through a five-speed automatic transmission. Four wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, a vehicle dynamic control system and four-wheel drive contribute to a safe, confident ride, but with this much mass on the road, you need to be conscious of increased stopping distances. Though it is light on its feet, the QX56 is a big, top-heavy vehicle, and you have to take care around the corners.

QX56 can really eat up the miles on the highway, with a smooth, quiet, comfortable ride that is positively limo-like. If it weren't for that voracious appetite for gasoline, this would be my top choice for a cross-country ride. QX56 also boasts a pretty good setup for light off-roading, with a full set of skid plates and 4-wheel low mode. Keep it on the road, though -- this is too nice of an SUV to be dirt-whomping. Tow your ATV and your trailer behind the QX56 -- it can haul up to 8900 lbs in tow mode, and comes standard with a receiver hitch and seven-pin harness installed.

So the Infiniti QX56 is a whole lot of SUV. If you've got a big family, or if you regularly transport a lot of people, you may be one of the few who actually need all that capacity. I actually experienced a bit of liberal guilt driving around in the QX56 -- I felt like I had to stop and explain to those Prius drivers why I was all alone in a behemoth, unfairly using a big portion of our planet and its resources. You may not have the same issues that I do -- but I encourage you to be sure that you really need a vehicle this large before you buy one.

If you've settled on a large luxury SUV, there are several excellent choices on the market right now. General Motors' new GMT900 platform gives us a new Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon Denali that are both superb to drive. Lexus's LX is extremely capable and luxurious, as is the Toyota Land Cruiser. HUMMER's H2 is a real styling statement, and surprisingly fun to drive. You should take a drive in the QX56's cousin, the Nissan Armada, which comes very close to the Infiniti's level of luxury with a substantially lower price tag.

But if you want to pretend you're in a Frank Gehry concert hall, climb up into the QX56, crank up the Wagner on the Bose system, and wave your baton as you drive down the road. The QX56 will take care of the rest.