2017 Infiniti QX70

Apr 24, 2024, 5:55am ET

Infiniti's sporty FX midsize crossover was rebadged QX70 as part of a new, brand-wide nomenclature system.

Don't let the name change fool you - new moniker aside, the QX70 is nearly identical to the FX. That means it remains one of the most driver-focused crossovers on the market thanks to a platform shared with the athletic Nissan 370Z sports car. The cushy cabin is also a strong point, although there's less space inside than many competitors.

Overview

Sometimes, you can judge a book by its cover - the QX70's aggressive stance and muscular lines suggest that this crossover is all about performance, and it certainly has all the right stuff under the sheet metal to back up that impression.

Underpinned by a version of the RWD-based architecture used by the 370Z, the QX70 offers crisp responses to control inputs along with a taut - but not uncomfortable - ride.

Power comes from a 3.7-liter V6 with 325 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic and rear-wheel-drive are standard, while all-wheel-drive is offered as an option. Fuel economy is rated at 17/24 city/highway mpg and 16/22 for RWD and AWD V6 models, respectively.

Step inside, and one will find a sybaritic cabin marked by premium materials like soft leather, brushed aluminum and genuine wood trim. Nary a cheap touch is to be found. Conventional buttons abound due to the lack of an iDrive-style infotainment controller, which may be a good or bad thing depending on personal preferences.

Cargo space is compromised for the sake of style: the QX70's short rear overhang and sloping rear window translate to just 24 cubic feet of trunk room, less than what is offered by some "compact" crossovers like the Honda CR-V. Fold down the rear seats, and storage space swells to a more useful 62 cubic feet.

Standard and Optional Features

The QX70 V6 comes standard with a sunroof, leather upholstery, power-operated, heated front seats, an 11-speaker Bose sound system, dual zone automatic climate control, a power rear liftgate, foglamps, cruise control, a dash-mounted seven-inch color information display and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Optional features are grouped into three separate packages.

The Premium Package includes a navigation system with an eight-inch touch-screen display and real-time traffic and weather services, an around-view parking monitor with front and rear sonar systems, memory functionality for the front seats, power tilt and telescoping functionality for the steering wheel, audio streaming via Bluetooth and more.

The Limited Package adds features such as a specific grille, LED daytime running lights, a stainless steel insert in the rear bumper, and 21-inch alloy wheels.

The Technology Package nets a laser-based Intelligent Cruise Control system with Distance Control Assist, a lane-departure warning system, an Intelligent Brake Assist system (which primes the brakes for shorter stopping distances when a possible collision is detected) that partners with a Forward Collision Warning system, rain-sensing wipers and an Adaptive Front Lighting system (which turns the lights to provide better illumination in curves) with HID xenon auto-leveling lights.

Additionally, there's an optional Around View Monitor camera system that provides 360 degree views around the car during parking maneuvers. It is paired with Moving Object Detection, which provides visual and auditory alerts when it detects an imminent collision with a moving object.

Occupant Protection

All QX70 models come standard with dual front, front side and side-curtain airbags in addition to ABS, traction and stability control systems and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Key Competitors

Once upon a time, the QX70 was unique among luxury crossovers for its emphasis on wild styling over interior space. However, it now faces competition from even more radically styled "coupe-crossovers" like the BMW X6 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.