Lake Norman Infiniti

Vehicle Overview

Redesigned last year, Infiniti's enormous QX56 adopted the brand's styling to look a bit more like its smaller cohorts. The standard 5.6-liter V-8 has direct fuel injection and makes 400 horsepower. The QX can have rear- or four-wheel drive. The QX, which can seat eight in three rows, counts the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator among its competitors.

New for 2012

The Technology Package adds Blind Spot Intervention and a lane departure mitigation system designed to help the driver bring the SUV back to the middle of its lane. The Deluxe Touring Package now includes a Bose Cabin Surround stereo with 15 speakers. Heated second-row seats and remote tip-up for the second row are now included in the Theater Package.

Exterior

A massive grille adorns the hood, dwarfing the headlights and fog lights. Above the front fenders sit three chrome portals ? a styling feature Buick made plenty of hay with awhile back. Alloy wheels measure 20 inches in diameter. Exterior features include:

• Standard xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
• Optional adaptive headlights with power washers
• Power-folding side mirrors with turn signal indicators
• Available power liftgate
• Optional 22-inch wheels
• Optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control

Interior

The QX56's interior sports three-dimensional gauges, a four-spoke steering wheel and gathered leather inserts along the doors. An available rear entertainment system can play two video sources on separate screens.

With captain's chairs in the second row, the QX seats up to seven; a three-seat bench in the second row increases capacity to eight. The captain's chairs tip up to facilitate third-row entry. The third row can power-fold into the floor, and it also has a power-reclining function. Interior features include:

• Standard leather upholstery
• Standard power-adjustable, heated front seats
• Standard heated steering wheel
• Standard CD stereo with a USB input and Bluetooth streaming audio
• Optional Bose stereo
• Optional cooled front seats and heated rear seats

Under the Hood

Mechanical features include:

• 5.6-liter V-8
• 400 hp and 413 pounds-feet of torque
• Seven-speed automatic transmission
• Available four-wheel-drive system with on-demand automatic mode
• Available electronic transfer case with high and low ranges

Safety

Standard safety features include:

• Standard front-seat side-impact airbags and three-row side curtain airbags
• Standard active front head restraints
• Standard antilock brakes
• Standard electronic stability system
• Optional Around View Monitor
• Optional blind spot warning system
• Optional lane departure mitigation