2014 Infiniti QX70

NEW FOR 2014:

- New name.

Other than a name change from FX to QX70, Infiniti’s midsize crossover utility carries over into 2014 unchanged.

An icon of modern design, the QX70 is a crossover that puts design flair and performance ahead of practicality. The interior is full of luxurious feeling materials and has a driver-oriented design, but rear legroom is lacking and the cargo bay is small and shallow. But to critique it on pragmatics is to miss the point of the QX70; its balanced chassis and direct steering give it handling few premium crossovers can match. The V8-powered model is one of the few vehicles on the market with active rear-wheel steering, which further gives it an edge on a winding country road. Buyers should take note that the QX70 has a ride that’s set up on the firmer side, especially with the 3.7's optional 20-inch wheels and the 5.0's standard 21-inch alloy wheels.

The QX70 is available as the 3.7 AWD, with 3.7-litre V6, or as the 5.0 AWD, which uses a 5.0-litre V8. Both come with a standard seven-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control, downshift rev matching, and magnesium paddle shifters. Both models use Infiniti’s ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system, which includes a Snow-Mode function that adjusts the throttle input for low-speed slippery road conditions.

Features on the QX70 3.7 AWD include 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic bi-xenon headlamps, fog lights, LED tail lights, power glass sunroof, power tailgate with closure assist, aluminum roof rails, rear spoiler, solar-tint glass, rear privacy glass, power-folding heated exterior mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature, speed-sensitive wipers, dual exhaust, proximity key with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, power windows with auto up/down, overhead ambient lighting, illuminated vanity mirrors, sunglass storage, console armrest, cargo cover, floor mats, quilted leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, 10-way power driver’s seat, eight-way power passenger’s seat, driver memory, reclining rear seats, 60/40 split folding seats with remote fold-down release in cargo area, Black lacquer trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, aluminum pedals, stainless steel kick plates, 11-speaker Bose stereo with AM/FM/CD/MP3, USB and aux-in jack, satellite radio, electroluminescent gauges, power tilt and telescoping steering column, 7.0-inch display audio system, reverse camera, auto-dimming rear-view mirror with garage door opener, cruise control, analogue clock, and alarm.

The Navigation and Deluxe Touring Package adds hard-drive based navigation with 8.0 inch display, voice recognition, Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, front and rear parking sensors, CD/DVD player, and Maple wood interior trim.

The Technology Package (requires Navigation and Deluxe Touring Package) adds full-speed radar cruise control, lane-departure warning with lane-departure prevention, distance control alert, intelligent brake assist with forward collision warning, pre-crash front seatbelts, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive front headlamps.

The QX70 5.0 AWD adds 21-inch alloy wheels, upgraded brakes, advanced climate control system with air purifier, Maple wood interior trim, hard-drive based navigation with 8.0 inch display, voice recognition, Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, front and rear parking sensors, and CD/DVD player.

Sport Package adds full-speed radar cruise control, lane-departure warning with lane-departure prevention, distance control alert, intelligent brake assist with forward collision warning, pre-crash front seatbelts, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive front headlamps, Continuous Damping Control suspension, rear active steering, solid magnesium paddle shifters, sport seats with manual adjustable thigh support, driver seat with bolster adjustment, and dark tinted headlights/side air vents/lower door trim.