American competitors include the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and Hummer H2. Foreign competition comes from such lines as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and GL-Class and the Lexus LX570. Although Infiniti is a Japanese carmaker, the QX56 is assembled in America.

The QX56 got a major upgrade in the 2008 model year, so changes to the 2009 model year are limited. Most notable among them are one new exterior color and speed sensing door locks. The QX56 comes in only a single trim, but has pretty much every amenity you could want, including such things as a hard drive based navigation system, heated, power-folding rear seats and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. You can get the QX56 in either two-wheel or four-wheel drive.

The engine on the QX56 is a 5.6 liter, 320 horsepower gasoline powered V8, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. That horsepower is a little light for the class. Fuel efficiency numbers are 12 miles per gallon in the city and 18 miles per gallon on the highway for the two-wheel drive. Drop one mile per gallon highway for the four-wheel drive version.

With its very respectable torque for a gasoline engine (393 pound feet), the QX56 maximum towing weight is 9000 pounds, well above class average. Maximum payload is 1445. Cargo volume is a cavernous 61.4 cubic feet, about twice the class average for large SUVs. The QX56 also has slightly better than average front legroom and a somewhat better warranty that average for the class.

The NHTSA crash test ratings on the QX56 are pretty mediocre. The only five-star rating is the front driver’s side. Front passenger side gets four stars, while the rollover rating is a mere three stars.

Safety features for the QX56 include child safety door locks, an anti-theft system, automatic load leveling, airbags everywhere, an electronic parking aid and antilock brakes with traction control, electronic braking assistance and a vehicle stability system. The QX56 does not offer limited slip or locking differential.

At a base price of $55,050 the 2009 Infiniti QX56 is about average price for a luxury SUV. The four-wheel drive version only adds about $3,000 which brings the total to $58,150. All in all, it’s a very nice vehicle with lots of room and beauty, but the lack of horsepower and poor crash test ratings will undoubtedly make some folks hesitant.

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