Best Used Infiniti Full-Size SUV - QX56

Luxury sport-utility vehicles are now ubiquitous, but this is still a relatively new phenomenon. As recently as the 1990s, it was uncommon for SUVs to be viewed as anything other than tow vehicles or off-road-ready minivans designed to haul the entire family in regions of the country that frequently had to deal with inclement weather. With four-wheel drive and a rugged frame, these vehicles were meant to pull tough duty and as a result flew underneath the radar of most well-heeled buyers looking for a plush ride.

When Mercedes-Benz introduced the M-Class and arguably kicked off the luxury SUV revolution, Japanese car companies were left scrambling for a way to join in the action. While some of these automakers decided to develop their own homegrown crossovers, others felt that a quick entry was more important than a fresh platform. Infiniti was able to leverage the investment that their parent company Nissan had made in the Pathfinder mid-size SUV and come up with the Infiniti QX4. While very similar in appearance to the vehicle upon which it was based, the new SUV took advantage of a recent re-design of the Pathfinder and loaded it up with standard features, eclipsing the Nissan’s equipment level and offering extra goodies that the more pedestrian truck just couldn’t offer.

While the QX4 enjoyed a relatively successful run, Infiniti was itching to join the big leagues when it came to luxury truck sales. With massive SUV’s like the Cadillac Escalade and the Lexus LX getting substantial attention in the marketplace, the company’s recent success in the full-size pickup field offered the chance to create a sport-utility vehicle that was as enormous as it was luxurious. By adding content to the gargantuan Nissan Armada SUV, Infiniti was able to produce the QX56, a mammoth vehicle which boasted proportions reminiscent of the Ford Excursion. Dropping the QX4, the QX56 became the only option for Infiniti buyers interested in a truck, and its pricing placed it close to the top of company’s overall lineup. The QX56 provided drivers with a stunning amount of road presence, with blunt, aggressive styling that quickly punted lesser sport-utility vehicles out of the way as it came charging down the highway.

This article discusses the best used full-size SUV available from Infiniti, and examines why buyers should consider taking a chance on the largest vehicle to ever fit into Infiniti showrooms.

2004 – 2007 Infiniti QX56

The 2004 – 2007 Infiniti QX56 is big in ways that mere numbers can’t completely convey. A maximum cargo capacity of 91 cubic feet certainly sounds impressive, as does a vehicle weight of 5,300 lbs, but it isn’t until they are actually faced with the beast itself that most potential QX56 buyers realize just how sizable the SUV truly is. Not only is the vehicle tall, long and wide but it also comes with a towing capacity to match: the Infiniti can haul up to 9,000 lbs of weight, placing it near the top of the hauling pyramid in North America.

A serious vehicle calls for a serious power plant, and the QX56 does not disappoint. A 5.6-liter V-8 engine holds forth with 315 horsepower (320 in later years) and 390 lb-ft of torque to make sure that the big rig never runs out of breath no matter how large of a load it is being asked to pull. The truck can be ordered with two or four-wheel drive, with the former turning in 13 miles per gallon in the city and 19 on the highway. While these numbers might seem depressing, they are actually surprisingly good for a full-size luxury SUV.

The passenger compartment of the 2004 – 2007 Infiniti QX56 doesn’t disappoint, as it features copious amounts of space which match the vehicle’s generous exterior dimensions. Capable of seating up to 7 people, it is unlikely that anyone will complain about a lack of breathing room on even the lengthiest of road trips. Of course, the QX56 also features standard leather seats and an optional DVD entertainment system. Wood and leather trim abound throughout the cabin, and everything about the SUV’s interior broadcasts class and elegance.

The 2004 – 2007 Infiniti QX56 isn’t for everyone, but for those who crave an attention-getting luxury monster truck, it is hard to find a better used full-size SUV for the same amount of money.