I test drove an Infiniti QX56

BeelzeBob · #1 (**permalink**) 06-24-05, 11:05 PM

My Wife's been in New York for a week, so I've been spending my spare time taking test drives and checking out vehicles. Something she hates doing.. Tonight, on the way to the gym, I test drove an Infiniti QX56. Another guy came in at the same time and we all wound up going for the same test drive (me, him, and the salesman). This other guy drove in with his 2003 Lincoln Navigator and had just (10 minutes earlier) test driven a 2005 Navigator.

To make a long story short, the other guy left without his Navigator. He bought the QX56 right there. His first import ever. He told me there was no comparison in handling and power. I knew the Infiniti truck was quick; he didn't. He was shocked. And the truck is very impressive. It handles much better than my Fleetwood Brougham did. The engine roars with authority when pushed - and you get pushed back into your seat.

I hope the new Escalade is really something to be proud of. We should see it in January.. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

**Jesda** · #2 (**permalink**) 06-25-05, 12:41 AM

Yeah, thats the remarkable thing about that huge-ass truck. Its quick!

BeelzeBob · #3 (**permalink**) 06-25-05, 12:50 AM

My only gripe about it is the center armrest seems a little low.. Not something one wouldn't get used to after a day or so, though..

davesdeville · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-05, 06:58 AM

I don't see how 315hp/390ft.lbs. in a 5340 pound truck with only 3.36 rear gears can run a mid 15s 1/4 mile. The current Escalade's got 345hp, 380ft.lbs. in a slightly heavier (when 2wd) truck with 3.73s, and it's actually pretty close in ET. The next Escalade should blow the other heavyweights out of the water with 400hp.

**Playdrv4me** · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-05, 09:41 AM

I have to say, with ever more dismal fuel economy, unless I specifically purchase something in "SS" or "V" trim I dont even know if I want a 400hp behemoth the size of the Escalade. The Escalade V would obviously be the exception there, as Id be getting it for that reason. I think 345 is more than plenty in the current version. Obviously more power is always good, but 400 standard hp in something that size is starting to get a little absurd. The horsepower wars have officially replaced the Megahertz wars at this point, and the point of both is more questionable than ever.

Its quite obvious that Nissan is somehow getting some stellar performance out of their "weakling" 315 horse V8, so I think Cadillac should try to beat the poo out of them by maintaining their horsepower rating in the Escalade, BUT reducing track test times and more than anything IMPROVING fuel economy. Considering what the Cadillac and Infiniti are capable of, Lincoln should be SCRAMBLING to do something about that wheezing 5.4L in the Navigator.

Anyway Sal, Id like to hear more details about your drive. What items did you find useful, which ones did you think were overkill?

If im not mistaken that truck has a Navigation system, Back up camera, Parking sensors, Xenon lights and a whole slew of other features standard. It does look a little odd but if depreciation continues the way it has been on Infiniti products, this may very well be my next SUV in a couple of years.

Randy_W · #6 (**permalink**) 06-25-05, 11:17 AM

I don't care what that whale has for equipment, if you look at it from the front, it looks like a hippopotomus!! I mean it, if you drove it in the marshes of Africa, some lonely bull hippo would try to mate that thing! At least maybe the offspring wouldn't hurt your eyes to look at, like that POS does! That is one ugly vehicle from Nissan, already known for ugly vehicles! :disappoin

BeelzeBob · #7 (**permalink**) 06-25-05, 02:17 PM

The Escalade's power felt very similar to my Fleetwood Brougham. When I took it for a test drive, I actually drove the Brougham to the dealership. They really felt close.. The QX56, however, feels just like my DTS.. It's wierd coming from a truck...

Yes, it has navigation standard and the backup camera is pretty cool.. The steering wasn't as light as I was expecting, however. I had a feeling that, for a luxury SUV, the steering would feel like my Brougham did.. Very loose.. I like that.. But, more people probably prefer the tight-steering that it has.. It handled very well.. Hmm.. Nothing seemed overkill to me.. It seemed very tight and well-built. I'm guessing Infiniti saw how bad the first model-year turned out and started fixing things.. This SUV is on it's second year now...

It was very comfortable to sit in. The leather is very nice.. It just felt very good.. Everything about it.. I know some people are going to hate the way it looks, but I'm not one of them. Some people hate the way our new Caddys look.. I think they're nuts.. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.