Infiniti QX 56 - Week 6

There is a new inductee in the wheels long-term fleet this week and I’ll save you a long-drawn build up; it’s a Ferrari California. Naturally, the team is extremely excited as this is perhaps the first time ever that Maranello has lent anybody one of their cars for a whole month. But we’ll curb our enthusiasm for now as there are other pressing matters at hand.

The Infiniti QX 56 has departed from the wheels HQ this week leaving behind a bitter-sweet memory. So it’s time to answer the question whether you should have one over a Range Rover or a Porsche Cayenne? It rather depends on what you’re looking for in your next SUV. If the emphasis is on utility then yes, you should give the QX a serious thought.

Like I’ve mentioned before it is very, very comfortable and it matches the segment leaders when it comes to cabin refinement. However, despite being awash with creamy hide and real wood inserts, the interior somehow looks a touch dated compared to its fresher rivals. I blame the Nissan switchgear.

Space-wise it easily vanquishes its foes. There’s more leg- and headroom for the passengers than in a Range Rover, and despite a shorter wheelbase (with both rows of seats folded) there is 2,693 litres of cargo room. And thanks to electronic folding seats, accessing this cavernous space is a matter of seconds. The only minor flaw is that the boot floor is quite high, which makes loading heavy things a bit of a chore.

The Infiniti is also notably larger than its competitors and is hobbled by a bigger turning circle — you’ll be trawling the mall car parks for a space a lot longer than a Range Rover or a Cayenne driver.

Overall though, it’s a great family car that, like many others, has its share of foibles, too. The new Range Rover is more expensive, but then you can see where the extra money has gone the moment you step inside. But if it’s just space, comfort and superb off-road abilities that you’re after, give the QX 56 a look. It’s a fantastic family car. Now, where is the key to that Ferrari?

The progress

Week 5
With a servicing interval of 5,000km the Infiniti QX 56 can be a fairly expensive car to maintain. And don’t forget the fuel costs.
Highs: Great for ferrying a large family around in comfort
Lows: May set you back a fair bit in maintenance costs

Week 4
The Infiniti QX 56 would be pretty low down on a petrolhead’s top-car list. It’s one of the softest and most undramatic cars on sale today.
Highs: Quiet cabin, high-quality materials and finish
Lows: Isolated driving experience

Week 3
As far as road presence is concerned, there’s no other SUV that can better the QX’s menacingly huge proportions. The same applies to the high-tech features too.
Highs: Plenty of gadgets, serious technology under the skin
Lows: Terrible fuel economy

Week 2
A bad week for the Infiniti. We manage to scrape the front bumper while driving out of an underground car park. Fuel economy is ruinously poor.
Highs: Great engine
Lows: The sheer size of it makes it difficult to manoeuvre, thirsty

Week 1
The QX 56 is a massive car that makes driving out of tight spaces a jaw-tightening affair. On the upside, it’s very spacious.
Highs: Superb ride, faster than you’d expect, loads of space
Lows: Huge and very, very thirsty