Infiniti QX70

Step into the cabin of the Infiniti QX70, and you might draw polarized opinions about the overall feel. While the cabin exudes top-notch quality levels, the overall layout of the dashboard lacks the level of modernity you get from the SUVs of this class and price.

The steering wheel with old school buttons for various functions as well as instrument console look a bit old fashioned, but is functional enough to keep your data and functions in track. The center comes with a slanted and tucked-in touchscreen infotainment system with an array of buttons for music system positioned ahead of it in its lower layer, which looks quite dated. Even the overuse of buttons for climate control and other functions in the lower center console look like they belong to a cabin of the last decade vehicle.

Nevertheless, the QX70 has quality and luxury in abundance and comes loaded with a number of comfort and convenience features on board. To name some few are push-button start with keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, quilted leather upholstery with black lacquer and aluminium trim, 10-way powered driver’s seat and 8-way powered co-driver seat, memory function for driver’s seat, ORVMs and steering wheel, climate controlled front seat and a premium 7-speaker audio system with a 2GB storage for music files.

Compared to the traditional SUVs which are large and bulky, the QX70 is Infiniti’s take on modern crossovers with more preference given to curves over creases.

The front fascia of the QX70 is dominated by the large double-arch grille, which is bathed in chrome to get that quintessential premium feel. The curvy headlamps come with LED projector units and daytime running LEDs to get that modernity in the right amount. The front bumper looks minimalist with the round fog lamps scooped in their small housings.

The side profile of the QX70 looks extremely curvaceous, thanks to the prominent curve flowing all the way from the edges of the front grille to lower edges of the A-pillar. The equal amount of curviness is highlighted by the presence of rounded shape for the windows and a prominent character line on the side doors, in a rising upward manner. To get the premium flavor in the right amount, the window surrounds and door handles are finished in chrome.

At the rear, the Infiniti QX70 exudes a coupe-ish profile, with a raked rear windscreen and rounded chrome garnish above the rear license plate housing. Even the full LED tail lamps at the rear look minimal and curvy to give the QX70 a crossover stance and not a bulky traditional SUV mannerism.

Sharing its suspension setup with the Q50 and Q60, the QX70 too is fitted with independent, double-wishbone with coil springs with stabilizer bar at the front and independent, multi-link with coil springs with stabilizer bar at the rear. In addition, the all-wheel-drive system enables the QX70 to perform pretty well in all driving conditions.

Powering this flagship Infiniti crossover is a powerful 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine, which pumps out a maximum power output of 323 PS and a peak torque output of 360 Nm. The engine channels the power to all four wheels via an intelligent all-wheel-drive system and a 7-speed automatic gearbox.

With the suspension setup, the QX70 also shares its list of safety features with the Q50 sedan and Q60 coupe. The safety features include front, side, and curtain passenger airbags, Anti-locking Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with a display.

The Infiniti QX70 might not evoke the sense of modernity owing to limited futuristic features and slightly old school interiors. However, what it does possess in abundance is the premium appeal and distinctive stance one looks for in an SUV or crossover of this class, a part of credits of which goes to its quick performance and excellent driving mannerisms as well.