The Infiniti->ke36 QX70 isn’t new, although the name might have you thinking otherwise. It’s still the sporty, five passenger crossover that first came ashore in 2003 and had its last major redesign in 2009. But, amid the brands lineup-wide renaming shakeup this year, the QX->ke1261 has taken over where the FX->ke126035/FX50 left off.

Keeping the same overall idea as the original 2003 FX35, the 2014 QX70 represents the brands focus on continuous improvement. Over the last decade, Nissan USA has vastly improved in almost every area of its product line. Engines are more powerful and use less fuel, interior fit and finish has improved , and technological advancements have been heavy. Growing sales numbers continue to show Nissan’s hard work and attention to detail.

Being an Infiniti, the QX70 forgoes trying to be an all-in-one sports car/luxury sedan/off-road champ and simply dumps the latter, leaving rocks and mud to Land Rover->ke46. What the QX70 does, it does well. And that is providing an exhilarating yet smooth ride to five people in a luxury cabin surrounded by a sporty wrapper that neither goes unnoticed nor screams ostentatiously in other motorists’ faces.

Updated 05/21/2014: Infiniti today announced prices for the 2015 QX70 crossover which remains mostly unchanged. The only "additions" is a new Sport Package that will make the QX70 look sportier. Prices for 2015 will start from $45,850.

Click past the jump for our full review of the 2014 Infiniti QX70

2014 - 2015 Infiniti QX70

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 - 2015 Infiniti QX70
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 325 @ 7000
  • Torque: 267 @ 5200
  • Transmission: 7-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The QX70 borrows heavily from its Infiniti brotherhood in the exterior styling department. The front clip features the large Infiniti grille that flows into the hood and finders, and then up the A-pillars and straight across the QX’s beltline. Its rear-shifted greenhouse and long nose make the vehicle’s side profile reminiscent of a shoe. A classy shoe, no doubt, but a shoe nonetheless. It also lends itself to a sporting feel when looking over the long hood and bulging fenders from behind the steering wheel.

Functional heat extractors behind the front wheels help keep underhood temperatures in check, while reducing front-end lift. High intensity discharge, bi-functional xenon headlights and fog lights are standard equipment.

The QX70 rides on Nissan’s FM (Front Midship) platform architecture giving it a stable ride over broken pavement and sharp handling around the bends. Front-to-rear weight distribution is nearly balanced, helped in part by aluminum doors and hood.

Dimensions (inches):

Wheelbase

113.6

Overall length

191.3

Overall width

75.9

Overall height (without / with roof rails)

66.1

Front track width

64.4

Rear track width

64.6

Minimum ground clearance

7.36

Angle of approach (degrees)

28.8

Angle of departure (degrees)

20.9

Coefficient of Drag (Cd)

0.36


2014 Infiniti QX70 - Standard Exterior Features

- Flush-mounted High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional projector headlights (high/low beam), automatic on-off

- Chrome door handles, side window moldings

- Rear center high-mount LED stoplight (CHMSL)

- Body-color front and rear bumpers

- Front fog lights

- UV-reducing solar glass on front windows, privacy glass on rear windows and liftgate glass

- Power-folding, heated outside mirrors with courtesy lights

- Dark Chrome front grille

- One-touch auto open/close power glass tilt/slide moonroof w/ auto reverse and sliding shade

- Electric liftgate closure assist

- Power rear liftgate

- Aluminum doors and hood

New For 2015

Sport Package:

- dark finish exterior accents

- 21-inch dark finish aluminum-alloy wheels

- Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS)

- climate-controlled front sport seats

Interior

The interior of the QX70 is stuffed with tech and the large center stack infotainment system is host to a large portion of it. The Hard Drive Navigation System, NavTraffic, NavWeather, and best of all, Infiniti’s Around View Monitor that displays an aerial view of the vehicle for tight maneuvering like parallel parking – all work together to give occupants an opulent ride while wrapped in the arms of convenience and safety. Bluetooth and SiriusXM are also standard equipment, as is the Zagat Survey restaurant guide.

Yet another convenience feature we’d probably get spoiled to is Infiniti’s automatic driving position system. It moves the steering wheel and outside mirrors adaptively to correspond to the driver’s power seat, keeping the same mirror relationship and viewpoint no matter where the driver’s seat moves. Of course, manual adjustments can be made to account for different drivers.

A premium Bose audio system that was acoustically engineered to the QX is standard fair and includes 11 speakers, AM/FM/CD, USB connections, and Bluetooth. Redundant steering wheel controls keep audio options at a fingertip’s reach.

Keeping passengers breathing easily is Infiniti’s Advanced Climate Control System. It uses a Grape Polyphenol and Plasmacluster air purifier to reduce interior pollutants, keeping the air free of allergens. It even features a “Clean Mode” which uses ionization to further cleanse the air. Making everything smell good is its “Ion Mode” which is said to create a “high concentration of negative ions to impart a freshness and crispness to the air.”

Overall, the interior of the Qx70 is a nice place to be. The leather seats look and feel rich, especially the optional quilted leather on the Sport seats. Controls are well laid out and ergonomics are generally good. Fit and finish is on par with other Infiniti products yet still contains a few hard plastics that cheapen the experience. We also have concerns about long-term durability on a few surfaces.

Rear cargo room is generous enough at 62 cubic feet with the rear 60/40-split seats folded flat. Push-button folding makes loading the QX easier and numerous tie-down points offer further usability.

Dimensions (inches):

Dimensions (inches):

Front

Rear

39.3

38.5

Head room (with moonroof)

57.3

57.4

Shoulder room

54.9

54.2

Hip room

44.7

34.6


Leg room

- Infiniti Intelligent Key

- Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System

- Leather-appointed seats

- Quilted leather-appointed seats

- 60/40-spiltfolding and reclining rear seat with fold-down center armrest

- Aluminum pedal accents

- Maple interior accents

- Black lacquer interior trim

- Carpeted trunk and cargo area

- Leather-wrapped gearshift knob

- Driver and passenger seat back pockets

- Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors and sliding extensions

- Bose 11-speaker Premium Audio sound system, including AM/FM/CD with MP3 playback capability, steering wheel audio controls, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control

- SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately)

- Roof-mounted and rear window in-glass diversity antennas

- USB Connection Port iPod® Interface and other compatible devices

Drivetrain

Two engines are offered in the QX70: an all-aluminum 3.7-liter V-6 making 325 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque; and a 5.0-liter V-8 rated at 390 horses and 369 pound-feet of torque. Both feature VVEL, or Variable Valve Event & Lift control, which not only adjusts valve timing, but valve lift amounts. A seven-speed automatic transmission backs both engines and includes a manual shift mode and rev matching system. Magnesium paddle shifters (5.0 AWD Sport Technology package only) give the driver more control.

To make sure drivers of the 3.7-liter didn’t feel cheated, Infiniti built the engine with a silent timing chain, microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, and resin-coated lightweight pistons. The V-6 breathes through a dual exhaust with equal length manifolds and decreased backpressure for increased horsepower.

All-wheel-drive models get Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive system that is rear-wheel biased. During normal driving, 100 percent of power is directed rearward, but when slipping is detected, up to 50 percent of the power can be directed to the front wheels. That 50:50 split will surely make the QX70 a competent wintertime warrior.

Fuel economy ranges from decently good to marginally acceptable. Rear-wheel-drive V-6 models are rated at 17 city and 24 highway mpg while AWD V-6 models get 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Bringing up the rear is the AWD V-8 achieving only 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

Engine

QX70 5.0 AWD

QX70 3.7

Type

VK50VE DOHC 32-valve with Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL)

VQ37VHR DOHC 24-valve with Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL)

Orientation

Longitudinal

Longitudinal

Cylinders / configuration

V8

V6

Block / head composition

Aluminum / aluminum

Aluminum / aluminum

Displacement

5.0 liters

3.7 liters

Horsepower

390 @ 6,500 rpm

325 @ 7,000 rpm

Torque

369 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm

267 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm

Bore x stroke (mm)

95.5 x 87.7

95.5 x 86.0

Compression ratio (:1)

10.9

11.0

Maximum engine speed (rpm)

6,800 rpm

7,500 rpm

Valvetrain

4 valves per cylinder with continuous variable valve timing control

4 valves per cylinder with continuous variable valve timing control

Required fuel

Premium unleaded

Premium unleaded


Suspension and Brakes

The four-wheel independent suspension is constructed from a double-wishbone design in the front and a multi-link setup out back. Thick stabilizer bars keep the QX from acting top heavy in cornering and Infiniti’s Continuous Damping Control suspension is available. It allows the driver to switch from “Auto” mode to “Sport” mode and tighten up the suspension for a firmer, more competitive ride.

Four wheel vented discs with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake force Distribution pull everything to a stop. The 14-inch rotors up front are squeezed by four-piston calipers while the rear 13.8-inch rotors are capped by two-piston units.

Front suspension

Aluminum independent double-wishbone w/stabilizer bar

Rear suspension

Aluminum and steel independent multi-link w/stabilizer bar

Steering type

Power-assisted vehicle speed variable assist rack-and-pinion

Front brakes

Vented disc

Rear brakes

Vented disc

Wheels

18-inch 10-spoke aluminum-alloy (8.0Jx18)

Tires

265/60R18 109V all-season tires


Prices

The QX70 comes in three trim levels that correspond to engine and drivetrain options: QX70 3.7; QX70 3.7 AWD; QX70 5.0 AWD. Base price for the QX70 3.7 is $45,750 while an up-optioned QX70 5.0 AWD will set you back a cool $73,000.

If it were our money, we’d go for the AWD V-6. It has plenty of power for cruising city streets and moderately high-speed interstate jaunts, plus more efficiency to pass by more gas stations. The AWD adds versatility and a level of safety when the weather turns wet or snowy, but doesn’t ruin the summertime fun. Finally, adding the $4,300 Premium Package nets some classy features without blowing up the price. Total damages: $52,495.

Models

MSRP

Engine

Transmission

QX70 3.7

$45,750

3.7L V6

7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode

QX70 3.7 AWD

$47,200

3.7L V6

7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode

QX70 5.0 AWD

$62,300

5.0L V8

7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode


Option

Price

Premium Package

$4,300

Deluxe Touring Package

$3,300

Technology Package

$2,950

Sport Technology Package

$6,250


Accessory

Price

Splash Guards

$175

Roof Rail Crossbars

$335

Rear Bumper Protector

$270

Dual DVD Headrest Restraint Monitors

$1,535

Cargo Area Organizer and Protector

$240

Tonneau Cover

$400

Illuminated Kick Plates

$305

Cargo Net and First Aid Kit

$90

First Aid Kit

$35

Tow Package

$710


2015 Prices

Model

Engine/Drive

MSRP

QX70

3.7-liter V6 / RWD

$45,850 USD

QX70 AWD

3.7-liter V6 / AWD

$47,300 USD


Competitors

2014 Range Rover Sport

The Range Rover Sport is perhaps a more well-rounded SUV. It still has that über-luxury feel with sporting capabilities on the road. What the QX70 lacks, the Range Rover Sport makes up for in spades: off-roadability. Granted, the largest percentage of luxury crossover and SUV buyers will never take their vehicles on so much as wet grass, the option to raise the suspension, lock the differential, and gear down into low range makes the Range Rover Sport a tough competitor. Starting price for the Rover is a touch over $64,000, but can quickly build to the $100,000 mark with an up-optioned Supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 model.

The standard Range Rover Sport features a 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 340 horsepower. The big V-8 cranks out 510 horsepower and will scoot the SUV from 0-60 in under 5 seconds.

2014 Acura MDX

On the lower side of the pricing scale, the Acura MDX offers a solid choice for those looking for refinement, room, and AWD. Touted as one of the best AWD systems on the market, the SH-AWD system works well in both foul weather conditions and in road-holding duties. Powered by a 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 that produces 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. It does a decent job of moving the MDX around, but is certainly outclassed by the Range Rover and QX70.

On the up side, the MDX offers three rows of seating with the ability to carry seven passengers. Starting price for an Acura MDX is $42,290 and can raise to upwards of $56,000.

2014 Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is yet another refined choice in the game of luxury SUVs and crossovers. Available in three trims: 3.0T, TDI, and S-Line, the Audi Q7 has a wide range of options to please any buyer looking for large amounts of room and on- and off-road capability. The base Q7 is powered by a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 producing 280 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. Jump up a trim line and you'll get the stump-pulling power of Audi's 3.0-liter TurboDiesel that makes 240 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Topping out the model range is the S-Line. Its 3.0-liter V-6 cranks out 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque.

Pricing for the Q7 starts roughly at $47,000 and grows to over $64,000. The Audi does represent a good bargain, however, with its three-row seating, AWD, and Audi heritage behind it.

Conclusion

The QX70 represents a moderately sporty crossover with high tech features that aim to keep occupants happy. A healthy list of features and drivetrain options let buyers pick where and how to spend their money. There are definitely other options in the five seater, sporty crossover game, but the Infinity QX70 represents a solid stab at the market for the Japanese brand.