Used 2015 INFINITI QX70

Although its name may seem unfamiliar, the 2015 Infiniti QX70 began its run in life as the popular FX, a design that has held up amazingly well over the years. Sleek, low and fast, the QX70 is still one of the best driving luxury SUVs around, though it has lost some of its mojo with the deletion of the 5.0-liter V8 engine. Not noted for its spacious back seat or vast cargo hold, the QX70 is more about style and performance than utility, placing it on par with the Porsche Cayenne and a cut above the soft-riding Lexus RX. But Infiniti’s midsize luxury SUV remains relevant, thanks to its gorgeous interior, long list of electronic entertainment and safety features, and relatively strong resale and reliability ratings.

Infiniti’s QX70 for 2015 doesn’t drive like most luxury SUVs. That’s because Infiniti has engineered a near 50/50 weight distribution for the QX70, coupled to an all-independent suspension and numerous traction and stability systems. The ride is a bit on the firm side, especially when fitted with the optional 21-inch wheels, but its not annoyingly harsh and the return on level cornering and aggressive turn-in is well worth the tradeoff. A 3.7-liter V6 good for 325 horsepower is the only engine offered this year, but it lacks for nothing and is especially responsive when using the 7-speed automatic’s manual shift mode with downshift rev matching. The QX70’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system senses wheel slip before it happens, helping you maintain control in the worst conditions. However, despite the QX70’s seven inches of ground clearance, it’s not the best choice for forging through creek beds or summiting a trailhead.

Step up and into the 5-passenger 2015 QX70 SUV, and it feels more like a sports sedan, from the curved dash to the oblong analog clock. Flowing lines help the Infiniti stand out from hard-angled surfaces of other more rugged SUVs. In the QX70, a driver-centric cockpit with a pronounced center-stack confirms the message that this luxury vehicle is for driving first. The front seats are roomy and comfortable, but the 3-passenger rear bench is surprisingly stingy, more comparable to a compact car. Cargo room is also compromised because of the QX70’s swooping rear roof, which also creates blind spots. Thankfully, the rear seats fold to haul larger items.

The Infiniti QX70’s outside has softened some over the years since its first incarnation as the FX, but you still won’t confuse it with your cousin’s Nissan Rogue. Among its most prominent features are a long hood that creates the image of momentum and functional air vents just behind the front wheel wells. Sharply ascending rear windows make the QX70’s sloping rear roof appear even more dramatic, but their shapely design comes at the cost of outward visibility. Twin tailpipes below the standard power rear hatch round out Infiniti’s contoured crossover SUV.

AROUND VIEW MONITOR
If one backup camera is good, having three more to create a near 360-degree view must be the equivalent of visual nirvana. Nissan’s Around View Monitor system makes parking a snap, creating a virtual bird’s-eye view from above and displaying it on a big, bright color monitor.

3.7-LITER DOHC V6
The 3.7-liter V6 is one of the best engines Nissan has ever produced and it’s put to good use in the QX70. Smooth and quiet, but with just enough growl at the exhaust tips to be menacing, this engine delivers impressive power and decent fuel economy.

The 2015 QX70 luxury crossover SUV comes in two trims: QX70 and QX70 AWD. Standard equipment includes leather seating, heated front seats, high-intensity-discharge headlights, a moonroof, a power tailgate, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and an 11-speaker Bose AM/FM/CD/USB sound system. Also standard are Intelligent Key keyless entry and start, power-folding heated side mirrors, manual tilt/telescoping for the steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and cruise control.

Major options for the QX70 are bundled into packages. The Premium Package includes hard-drive navigation system, Around View monitor, streaming Bluetooth audio and a power-adjustable steering wheel. Building on that are the Deluxe Touring Package and Technology Package. Deluxe brings extras such as quilted-leather seating, maple accents and 20-inch wheels, while the Technology Package ladles on intelligent cruise control, lane-departure warning and forward collision warning. The Sport Technology package brings climate-controlled sport bucket seats with thigh extensions and driver’s side power bolster support, 21-inch wheels, steering wheel paddle shifters, and numerous dark finished trim pieces.

The sole engine powering the 2015 Infiniti QX70 crossover is a 3.7-liter V6 good for 325-horsepower. The only transmission choice is a 7-speed automatic with both manual-shift mode and Adaptive Shift Control, which basically pays attention to how you’re driving and adapts shift patterns accordingly. The QX70 is available in rear-wheel-drive form (RWD) or with all-wheel drive (AWD).

3.7-liter V6
325 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
267 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg (RWD), 16/22 mpg (AWD)