Infiniti QX 56 - Week 5

With over a 1,500 kilometres trod under its humungous wheels, the Infiniti QX 56 is set to depart from the wheels HQ soon. Now in its penultimate week, it’s probably a good time to talk about boring consumer stuff such as service and maintenance. So brace yourself for some serious number crunching.

The QX 56 needs a visit to the car doctor every 5,000km, alternating between different types of minor and major services. Starting with every five, 15, 25, 35 and 45,000km services which cost Dh555 each. Slightly pricier at Dh790 are 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90,000km check-ups, while, 20, 60, 100, 140,000km services will set you back Dh1,115 each. Is your head spinning yet? There’s more. For the first 40,000-kilometre service you’ll have to fork out Dh2,315 and every time you travel a further similar distance you will have to pay Dh2,515 in maintenance costs. Simply put, despite being essentially a Nissan, this is not a cheap car to run.

Then there are perishables such as brake discs and pads, which entrusted with the duties of bringing this nearly three-tonne beast to a halt have their work cut out. A single front and rear brake pad costs about Dh344 and Dh244, respectively, while a set of discs is relatively reasonable at Dh676 and Dh976 a pair for front and back.

Onto other everyday stuff, the rear AC isn’t quick to spring into action and can take a few uncomfortable minutes if outside temperatures are high. Apart from that minor issue, family trips are a pleasant affair in the QX, although thanks to its heft it is befuddled by fast food drive-thrus and shopping mall car parks — the two places where a family SUV should be perfectly at home.

Next week, we have the final verdict on the QX as we bid it goodbye and welcome something quite exciting to our long-term garage. Here’s a hint: it’s red.

 Facts