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2012 Infiniti QX

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Overview

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2012 Infiniti QX Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.4

The 2012 Infiniti QX56 stands with SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, ironically enough, akin to large, plant-eating dinosaurs in the pre-meteor Cretaceous period. The day may come when these giants shall no longer roam the Earth, but they just don't seem to quite know that yet. With shrinking paychecks come stiffer competition for fewer consumers looking to spend around $60,000 for their land yacht, thus Infiniti stepped up with a redesign for the last year's QX. Rear-drive (RWD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) versions, room for up to 8 passengers, and a variety of package options give the QX56 SUV a practicality edge over others in its class.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you have towing needs and a family of more than 5 to 6, the 2012 Infiniti QX56 is a well-turned and comfortable ride worth looking into.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Not everyone needs what the QX56 has to offer. Those who do may find, of all things, a lack of cargo space compared to other big SUVs, due to its shorter wheelbase.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.4
Driving Dynamics

6.8
Comfort & Convenience

7.8
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.2
Value

6.0
Safety

7.9

How It Ranks

#19

out of 29

MPG

#7

out of 29

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.3 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2012

The 2011 overhaul of the QX56 SUV left little need for further tweaking. New features are found in packages: The Technology Package brings now-ubiquitous Blind Spot Intervention and a system to keep you in your lane. The Theater Package gives second-row heated seats, and there's a new Bose Surround Sound System for the Deluxe Touring Package.

Driving the QX

Driving Impressions The 2012 Infiniti QX56 is a smooth, luxurious ride befitting the expectations that you would have of a high-end SUV. Road noise is something you won't have to deal with...

from the cabin. Likewise, you'll hardly notice imperfections in the road itself, thanks to the QX56's fully-independent suspension. The 7-speed automatic transmission is seamless and adds even more refinement to the driving experience. Steering on the 2012 QX56 could be a bit heavier, but we don't believe this will be much of an issue around town.

Favorite Features

Optional Packages
The QX56's option packages are specifically tailored to ensure that the right features are included in the right packages. All of them make perfect sense for the right drivers without adding crippling cost (the most expensive package, and possibly the best, is the $4,100 Deluxe Touring Package).

The Interior Experience
The idea of the 2012 QX56 as an "executive jet" for the road really helps everything about the SUV make sense. The interior is a finely crafted suite, and with the smoothness of its ride and quietness of its cabin, the QX56 is an idyllic place to be.

2012 Infiniti QX Details

2012 Infiniti QX Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The sheer number of buttons and controls available to each passenger in the 2012 Infiniti QX56 owe their existence to Infiniti's "executive jet" aesthetic philosophy for their big SUV. Taken in context, it actually makes a lot of sense: Seating is spacious even all the way back in the third row, and the seats themselves are certainly posh and comfortable. The gauges are smart looking, and the wood trim pleasantly frames the dashboard.

Exterior

The 2012 Infiniti QX56 carries over all the design revamps from the 2011 model. The QX56 is noticeably less boxy than the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade, but its high beltline can appear slightly absurd from some angles, especially considering how short the windows and roof look by comparison. The line from the front fenders to the arched grille is pleasant, and the driver-side air vent is actually functional, which is a nice touch considering how out of place it looks on such a big SUV.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

No one will have any qualms with the standard features of the 2012 Infiniti QX56. Twenty-inch wheels, streaming Bluetooth audio, keyless start, pushbutton start, tri-zone climate control and an 8-inch touch screen with Navigation are just some of the features that the QX56 offers for your SUV dollar.

Optional Equipment

The 2012 QX56's offers the option of 2-wheel (2WD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD), but its optional packages are where consumers really get to hone the vehicle to their specific needs. The Theater Package gives you two 7-inch color monitors, auxiliary A/V jacks, wireless headphones and remote control. It also offers the option of a bench seat for the second row and 22-inch wheels fitted with all-season tires. The Deluxe Touring Package upgrades the leather inside and adds that new 15-speaker BOSE audio unit. Hydraulic Body Control and Advanced Climate Control also come with the Deluxe Touring Package. The Technology Package offers a host of safety-minded systems, including Intelligent Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, and Distance Control Assist.

Under the Hood

The 2012 Infiniti QX56 has a beast of a V8. Its 5.6-liter engine makes 400 horsepower and some 413 lb-ft of torque. Both 2-wheel drive (2WD) and 4-wheel drive (4WD) models have Hill Start Assist and Snow Mode to help get moving when roads are slick. All Season 4-wheel drive (4WD) operates with a slight rear-bias but constantly adjusts power between front and rear as deemed necessary. All models feature a 7-speed automatic transmission with a "manual" mode and downshift rev-matching.

5.6-liter V8
400 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
413 lb-ft torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20

Pricing Notes

The 2-wheel drive (2WD) version of the 2012 Infiniti QX56 has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $58,700, while the 4-wheel drive (4WD) bumps the MSRP to $61,800. This puts it in the neighborhood of the Mercedes GL450 and Lexus GX 460, as well as the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade. Look for the 2012 QX's Fair Purchase Price on kbb.com to get a better read on street prices. Resale value of the 2012 QX56 should hold up well over time – past models have out-performed the Navigator and Escalade.

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2012 Infiniti QX Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.3

Out of 10

Based on 20 Ratings for the 2010 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.2/10

Quality

8.4/10
Reliability

8.8/10

Performance

8.6/10
Comfort

9.2/10

Styling

9.3/10

This vehicle is awesome........

By King Kasagama (MD) on Wednesday, April 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 41,450

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Luxury Vehicle that can do it all!"

Cons: "Gas Gas Gas!!!! But I cant complain...Lrg SUV"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I recently purchased this vehicle and can not stop gushing. I was able to get fair price on a pre certified QX56 that has all three packages and the 22 inch wheels. This luxury vehicle has the power, speed, handling, and moxy that I value. I would recommend this truck to those that can afford. Those that can't......get it anyway. It is worth it's value and then some."

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Love My QX56

By Infinit to win it (MD) on Sunday, March 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Unique look, price, nice interior, 22 rims, & big"

Cons: "Gas, Gas, Gas, more stylish grill"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I've owned several large SUV's, my QX56 if the best vehicle I've ever purchased to date, I,plan on keeping this vehicle for a long time, I was looking at the escalade, but fell in love with the QX56, it' has a very unique look, and the interior is one of the best, the 22 inch rims, are a grown mans look, won't put chrome on this one, the price was okay, not too many inexpensive large SUVs and this one is priced more reasonable than the other ones I looked at, on my way to clean my baby, and detail the interior, I'm in love."

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INFINITI HAS HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE

By BERT (UT) on Tuesday, October 02, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 58,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "They look nice"

Cons: "Don't Live up to the price you pay!!!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"2007 QX56 starter broke off?? Causing major damage to the bell housing, felx plate, torch converter, and other misc parts total $4,000 in repairs. Infiniti will not cover under the power train warranty because the "failed Component" caused the damage to the power train. Give me a break. I paid $55,000 dollars for this quality vehicle that is a total piece of garbage. It's been 3 weeks and my truck is still not fixed. This story is a lot longer, just not enough space to list all the horrible things about this company."

15 people out of 20 found this review helpful

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Better than Lexus, smoother than Benz, more tech..

By James (OH) on Thursday, September 20, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "A stunning vehicle that turns heads"

Cons: "Cant really think of one"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Last year, I researched all the big SUVs. The only one that had everything I wanted; reliability, stunningly good looks, tech that made sense and some sense of value. I found all of that in the QX. It has much of the luxury you would find In the range rover, but FAR better reliability. The large Benz was too stiff and cold. The large Lexus is actually pretty small inside and the third row is a joke. Overall, the QX has the best attributes of the Lexus, Mercedes, Escalade and the Range rover. I would highly suggest this SUV."

13 people out of 13 found this review helpful

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Great Value for your money

By busymom0423 (TX) on Saturday, March 17, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 54,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great Value with lots of options"

Cons: "Dash is very plastic. Lots of rattles"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"This is a great family luxury vehicle with lots of included options. The only issue we have is it rattles from plastic rubbing on plastic on the interior. Third row seat is large enough for adults with easy access."

6 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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Great Vehicle

By Jason (FL) on Saturday, March 17, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 19,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Comfort, ammenities, look and ride quality"

Cons: "fuel mileage (but what can you expect)"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"The vehicle performs flawlessly and will haul everyone plus their stuff. Great over the road vehicle as the outside noise is minimal and the comfort is second to none. Only issue I would include: the leather around the steering wheel wears quickly so if you would like to keep it looking perfectly new, buy something to wrap the steering wheel. Great SUV, will buy again and would recommend to anyone who is not worried about fuel mileage!"

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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