The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. Jan
6th
Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Strategies are born with intentions to improve future endeavours. Roughly 25 years ago, Nissan developed a strategy to enter the luxury car market and did so with Infiniti. With mild to major success, the heads of the company devised a new strategy, one that would unify the brand.
With stars like the G and flops like the M, Nissan decided to leverage the brand and use it as the selling point as opposed to the model or car itself. In time, I suspect it'll work out. The idea is far from new, being used by the likes of Mazda and Audi with much success.
There is little new about the 2014 Infiniti QX70 over the “outgoing” 2013 FX, but then there isn't much to fix on the QX70. It is and has been since its inception the sportiest of the Japanese luxury CUVs and for those wanting this type of vehicle, the only other options are pricier German products. The QX70 drives with purpose and in a lap of distinctively sporty luxury. This sporty aspect may be what's keeping this vehicle away from mass appeal.
What is an Infiniti QX70?
The 2014 Infiniti QX70 is a “compact” midsize high-end crossover vehicle aimed at the prosperous couple looking to blend the practical aspects of a utility vehicle and a sporty sedan.
The FX did find favour with some tuners early on when it arrived for the 2003 model year and with reason. It was styled like nothing else, sounded incredible out of the box, and with the V8 was positively a rocket.
The QX70, now in its 2nd generation since the 2009 model year, retains all of the original's attributes now in an even more striking package.
2014 Infiniti QX70 Price and Specs
The newly re-baptized 2014 Infiniti QX70 3.7 starting price is of $53,350. This sum entitles you to a 325 horsepower 3.7L V6. Moving up to the 5.0 with the 390 horsepower 5.0L V8 will set you back $65,100. My fully loaded 3.7 with navigation and Deluxe Touring and Tech packages tipped the price scale at $62,500.
Infiniti's ATTESA E-TS AWD system is standard on the QX as is a 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC).
Driving the Infiniti QX70
The 2014 Infiniti QX70's drive reflects its outer shell; it delivers.
First set of thumbs up go to the V6 that, for the most part, is more than adequate, that is if a 0-100 km/h time of just under 6 seconds is quick enough. If not, the 5.0 will do it in a second faster.
An aspect I always appreciate about Infiniti cars is how the mechanicals interact with each other. The transmission feels exceptionally involved with the engine's revs, like Gretzky and Messier skating toward the opposing team's net. Both the V6 and 7-speed swap back and forth with amazing precision.
The next accolade goes to steering: Heavy at first, the weight of the assistance quickly reveals precision and dynamism. The large P265/50R20 rubbers obey with rewarding alacrity, encouraging the driver to press on. Through some mountain passes during my drive, I revelled at this fairly tall and bulky CUV's agility and surprising grip.
Said grip comes courtesy of a suspension setup ideally suited to the Autobahn or principally smooth roads. On some uneven surfaces, the ride was downright unpleasant. As good as the QX is on freshly paved surfaces, it punishes one and all aboard when it is not.
I was able to take a 2014 QX70S 30d for a quick spin at the 2013 Nissan 360, and although I was enthralled with the low-end torque, my diesel powertrain refinement level expectations were barely met. I thought the engine to be noisier than the last BlueTEC or TDI I'd recently driven. Power specs are on par with the Germans at 238 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque.
Inside and Out of the Infiniti QX70
The QX70's design is a hit. Its unique and aggressive styling differentiates it from the other Japanese offerings and gives it an edge when alongside the Germans.
With the right set of wheels, and draped in the proper shade, the chrome accents, wheel-well flares and huge front haunches look poised to pounce.
I've also grown accustomed to Infiniti's dash design and layout, and have come to like it. Control ergonomics are functional as well as good looking. I'm always drawn to the buttons set at a near 45-degree angle below the multi-purpose screen; this is another distinct Infiniti touch.
The front seats are comfortable, the rear bench almost equally so, but the 2014 QX70's major flaw is interior space. The rear quarters can be cramped even with only two occupants, and the high load floor trunk requires some fancy footwork to get a weekend's worth of gear to fit.
Comparing the Infiniti QX70
The 2014 Infiniti QX70's size and price range put it in the middle of other manufacturer's offerings. It's most direct matches lie between the Lexus RX, BMW X5, Mercedes M-Class, and Cadillac SRX. It can also play along with the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 mostly on interior volume.
The QX is a fine product, if unique, however most will find their wants and needs fulfilled by another.
With stars like the G and flops like the M, Nissan decided to leverage the brand and use it as the selling point as opposed to the model or car itself. In time, I suspect it'll work out. The idea is far from new, being used by the likes of Mazda and Audi with much success.
There is little new about the 2014 Infiniti QX70 over the “outgoing” 2013 FX, but then there isn't much to fix on the QX70. It is and has been since its inception the sportiest of the Japanese luxury CUVs and for those wanting this type of vehicle, the only other options are pricier German products. The QX70 drives with purpose and in a lap of distinctively sporty luxury. This sporty aspect may be what's keeping this vehicle away from mass appeal.
 |
What is an Infiniti QX70?
The 2014 Infiniti QX70 is a “compact” midsize high-end crossover vehicle aimed at the prosperous couple looking to blend the practical aspects of a utility vehicle and a sporty sedan.
The FX did find favour with some tuners early on when it arrived for the 2003 model year and with reason. It was styled like nothing else, sounded incredible out of the box, and with the V8 was positively a rocket.
The QX70, now in its 2nd generation since the 2009 model year, retains all of the original's attributes now in an even more striking package.
2014 Infiniti QX70 Price and Specs
The newly re-baptized 2014 Infiniti QX70 3.7 starting price is of $53,350. This sum entitles you to a 325 horsepower 3.7L V6. Moving up to the 5.0 with the 390 horsepower 5.0L V8 will set you back $65,100. My fully loaded 3.7 with navigation and Deluxe Touring and Tech packages tipped the price scale at $62,500.
Infiniti's ATTESA E-TS AWD system is standard on the QX as is a 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC).
 |
| The 2014 Infiniti QX70 is a “compact” midsize high-end crossover vehicle aimed at the prosperous couple looking to blend the practical aspects of a utility vehicle and a sporty sedan. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Driving the Infiniti QX70
The 2014 Infiniti QX70's drive reflects its outer shell; it delivers.
First set of thumbs up go to the V6 that, for the most part, is more than adequate, that is if a 0-100 km/h time of just under 6 seconds is quick enough. If not, the 5.0 will do it in a second faster.
An aspect I always appreciate about Infiniti cars is how the mechanicals interact with each other. The transmission feels exceptionally involved with the engine's revs, like Gretzky and Messier skating toward the opposing team's net. Both the V6 and 7-speed swap back and forth with amazing precision.
The next accolade goes to steering: Heavy at first, the weight of the assistance quickly reveals precision and dynamism. The large P265/50R20 rubbers obey with rewarding alacrity, encouraging the driver to press on. Through some mountain passes during my drive, I revelled at this fairly tall and bulky CUV's agility and surprising grip.
Said grip comes courtesy of a suspension setup ideally suited to the Autobahn or principally smooth roads. On some uneven surfaces, the ride was downright unpleasant. As good as the QX is on freshly paved surfaces, it punishes one and all aboard when it is not.
I was able to take a 2014 QX70S 30d for a quick spin at the 2013 Nissan 360, and although I was enthralled with the low-end torque, my diesel powertrain refinement level expectations were barely met. I thought the engine to be noisier than the last BlueTEC or TDI I'd recently driven. Power specs are on par with the Germans at 238 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque.
 |
| The 2014 Infiniti QX70's drive reflects its outer shell; it delivers. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Inside and Out of the Infiniti QX70
The QX70's design is a hit. Its unique and aggressive styling differentiates it from the other Japanese offerings and gives it an edge when alongside the Germans.
With the right set of wheels, and draped in the proper shade, the chrome accents, wheel-well flares and huge front haunches look poised to pounce.
I've also grown accustomed to Infiniti's dash design and layout, and have come to like it. Control ergonomics are functional as well as good looking. I'm always drawn to the buttons set at a near 45-degree angle below the multi-purpose screen; this is another distinct Infiniti touch.
The front seats are comfortable, the rear bench almost equally so, but the 2014 QX70's major flaw is interior space. The rear quarters can be cramped even with only two occupants, and the high load floor trunk requires some fancy footwork to get a weekend's worth of gear to fit.
 |
| Control ergonomics are functional as well as good looking. I'm always drawn to the buttons set at a near 45-degree angle below the multi-purpose screen; this is another distinct Infiniti touch. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Comparing the Infiniti QX70
The 2014 Infiniti QX70's size and price range put it in the middle of other manufacturer's offerings. It's most direct matches lie between the Lexus RX, BMW X5, Mercedes M-Class, and Cadillac SRX. It can also play along with the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 mostly on interior volume.
The QX is a fine product, if unique, however most will find their wants and needs fulfilled by another.