Motoring Middle East: Car news, Reviews and Buying guides

Big and luxurious. If you like it, if you want it, you should instead buy…

By Shahzad Sheikh

The term ‘big’ defines this car – ‘big’ as in vast, huge, gargantuan. The range-topping flagshippin’ QX56 fits the bill of ‘behemoth’ like little else.

Big is not necessarily beautiful in this case though, with perhaps a few too many awkwardly ungainly curves combining with some over-styled details like the way the grille sharply points outwards at each corner, and the seemingly pointless bulge at the base of the rear window. Still it can’t be denied that it’s an imposing boat with some considerable presence – particularly in the aforementioned white.

This generation QX was launched in 2011 and was based on the then also newly launched Nissan Patrol. As befits its mega-size, it’s fitted with a meaty power unit. There’s a 5.6-litre V8 producing 400bhp and 413lb ft of torque, giving it a 0-100kph acceleration time of about 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 210kph.

From behind the wheel it feels jaw-droppingly swift and takes you somewhat by surprise. Something of this scale puts you in mind of ye old cruise-liner that would need much huffing and puffing, much shouting through bridge-to-engine bay communications, and much burning of coal and churning out of steam to gather momentum to the point that it eventually becomes an unstoppable hulk.

But no, the QX deploys all that torque with some considerable sense of urgency through a seven speed automatic and a smart system that cleverly channels drive to each of the four-wheels in various proportions depending on the requirements of the terrain. In normal guise it sends most of the power to the rear – up to 100 per cent in fact – whilst up to 50% can be sent to the front, and you can select between five off-road modes.

The steering is light, and there is little feel, but then this isn’t a sports car, the helm is meant to be easy to cope with, so as to give you a sense that this whale of a thing is easy to manoeuvre in parking lots, and to an extent it is, thanks to a reasonably tight turning circle and cameras not just at the back but at the sides and front too, giving you a 360-degree surround view.

But despite the apparent agility and the obvious performance, you never lose sight of the fact that piloting this is akin to driving a truck. The lofty driving position for one, gives it away. And despite suspension that’s cleverer than Einstein getting a brainwave, it inevitably does lean and lurch. The low-profile tyres do pick up road imperfections and slightly taint the floating carpet theme they were going for, with a jittery edge to the ride quality.

None of which is to say that there is anything wrong or bad about the way it goes around corners (just take it smooth) or the way it pummels road surfaces into submission (I just expected better). It’s fairly competent and thankfully the brakes do a decent job of keeping the bulk in check. But this is not a car you’ll feel inclined to throw about in an enthusiastic manner.

That, however, is entirely okay, because what you will derive immense pleasure from is the feel of the furnishings, the oozing luxury and the fact that it’s rammed to the gills with toys and gadgetology. Even in basic guise it will be leather and timber-lined inside with individual climatatics (yes I made that word up) for the occupants.

None of whom will want for space – the QX comes in seven or eight-seater guise, with a fixed central divider and console in the rear bench if you spec it. The final row of seats fold entirely flat into the large luggage bay, and do a Transformers-style morph into chairs at the touch of two buttons in the cargo bay – which itself remains spacious even when all the pews are passengered.

So there you have it then, if you’re after a humongous Japanese 4×4 that’s supreme at delivering space, comfort and all the techy stuff that we love in our cars these days, then buy a Nissan Patrol.

Hey?! Was that a typo? Nope. Quite simply the Infiniti QX56 is priced between AED304k-334k. However just one look at its sister car, the Nissan Patrol, will confirm that the QX represents little more than badge engineering (sticking a different nameplate on the front and back of a car, and maybe changing the grille) on a monumental scale.

Forget the agricultural and Spartan Nissan Patrol of old, the new car is as much a luxo-fest as the Infiniti, and everything above applies to that car also, yet prices start from AED196k. Okay you get about 80bhp less from the detuned 5.6-litre V8, but you’re unlikely to miss it. Or you can opt for the full-fat 400bhp Patrol for a bit more money, yet still pay considerably less than the Infiniti.

Spec
2013 Infiniti QX56
Price: AED304,000 ($82,600)
Engine: 5.6-litre, V8, 400bhp @ 5800rpm, 413lb ft @ 4000rpm
Performance: 0-100kph 6.5seconds, 210kph, 12.5L/100km
Transmission: seven-speed auto, four-wheel drive
Weight: 2767kg