July 21, 2006
 
ON THE ROAD: Infiniti Blazes Troublesome Trail in QX56
 
By Richard Williamson
Scripps Howard News Service
 
Petroleum prices have proven unkind to Nissan's big trucks.
 

The 2006 Infiniti QX56 is down in sales 17 percent because of gas prices. (SHNS photo courtesy Nissan) Click to Enlarge

Introduced in the fall of 2003 as the Iraq occupation spawned insurgency, the aptly named Nissan Armada sport utility vehicle and its Infiniti QX56 platform mate were greeted by reasonable pump prices of $1.57 per gallon amid a great deal of fanfare.
 
Three flips of the calendar later, prices have nearly doubled and are fueling fears that unleaded could hit $4 per gallon before peace breaks out. The Middle East, where most of our oil comes from is in a state of unprecedented chaos.
 
Hence 2006 sales of the Armada are down nearly 23 percent through June, and the QX56 is down 17 percent, Nissan reports. Across all brands, full-size SUVs are down 19.3 percent for the first six months of this year compared with 2005' first half.
 
Introducing full-size trucks was a major and costly undertaking for Nissan. To assemble the vehicles, Nissan built a $1.4 billion plant in Canton, Miss., where production began in May 2003. Dealer service centers had to be expanded and retooled as technicians were trained to maintain and repair the new products, led by the Titan pickup.
 
Unfortunately, quality complaints have dogged the trucks emerging from Mississippi's first automotive factory. Consumer Reports declared the plant the worst in the country but said recently that it is improving. Nissan officials said the company has taken action to eliminate consumer complaints about problems such as rattles, leaks and vibration.
 
While the Armada might resemble an albatross in an era of high fuel prices, Nissan could not compete with Toyota and the domestic brands without a full fleet of vehicles ranging from entry-level economy car to full-size SUV. Ditto for Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti, which was facing rivals such as the Lexus LX 470, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and Land Rover Range Rover.
 
With price tags in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, those full-size SUVs were already reserved for the economic elite. But high gasoline prices have reduced the pool of aspirationals even further. Filling the QX 56's 28-gallon tank would cost $82 based on today's prices.
 
With fuel economy ratings of 13 miles per gallon in the city and 18 on the highway, the QX 56 might be back at the fuel pump sooner than you would like. The 4-wheel-drive version can cover 364 city miles or 504 highway miles on a tank of gas.
 
For the top tier of the economic food chain, fuel prices will not be a major burden, as evidenced by better sales figures for luxury SUVs. To justify a purchase of the QX 56, motorists will likely cite the size of the family, the outdoorsy lifestyle or the need for a ski carrier for their Aspen chalet.
 
In service of such pursuits, the QX 56 offers abundant credentials. Powered by a 315-horsepower V8 engine, the QX seats seven in comfort while delivering excellent towing capacity and off-road capability. For 2007, the V8 is expected to see a 12-horse increase in power.
 
Changes for 2006 include power folding outside mirrors that automatically dim and display the turn signal. Other additions include Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System, mp3 playback on the audio system and third row seats that split in a 60/40 ratio, providing greater cargo flexibility.
 
The base price of $52,550 on the 4-wheel-drive version rose to $56,450 with options such as XM Satellite radio ($350), power sunroof ($1,200) and DVD mobile entertainment system with wireless remote and headphones ($1,600).
 
While designers sought to distinguish the QX 56 with waterfall grille, xenon headlights and aluminum alloy wheels, it's mighty hard to make these big bruisers identifiable. The handles mounted high on the side of the back door are about as good as it gets in terms of styling innovation.
 
A power-operated liftgate with opening rear glass and a large bumper with integrated towing hardware add functionality.
 
The QX 56 is hard to beat in the safety department. A rear obstacle detector comes with a camera on the rear bumper that displays the path behind the SUV on a video screen mounted on the center dash. When not providing back-up perspective, the screen displays the map for the global positioning navigation system or information for the audio system.
 
Also available is Intelligent Cruise Control, which allows the QX56 driver to maintain an appropriate distance from the vehicle ahead. A laser signal measures the distance to the vehicle ahead, then automatically adjusts the QX56's speed to maintain a pre-selected following distance. Obviously, this is designed for highway cruising situations rather than congested city traffic.
 
Another safety advance is Preview Braking that uses sensors to identify potential sudden braking situations, such as when a vehicle suddenly pulls into your lane. The system "pre-pressurizes" the Brake Assist system before you step on the brake pedal to improve response.
 
Front and side-curtain air bags protect passengers from a rollover accident as well as a head-on or broadside collision.
 
Mark Igo, vice president and general manager of Infiniti Division, said the QX 56 satisfies demands that have been unanswered in competing vehicles.
 
"But it also asserts itself with tremendous luxury and style, more than with just its physical scale and capabilities," he said.
 
WHAT'S NEW: Fold-in side mirrors, Blue-Tooth technology.
 
PLUSES: Comfort, utility, safety.
 
MINUSES: Fuel economy, handling, quality issues.
 
BOTTOM LINE: Ride and handling falls short of Lexus LX 470.
 
Richard Williamson writes about automobiles for Scripps Howard News Service.