Infiniti QX70 won’t appeal to all luxury SUV shoppers

Although considered a luxury crossover sport utility vehicle, a week with the 2015 Infiniti QX70 didn’t quite meet expectations that come with a reputed “luxury” vehicle.

That opinion is perpetuated by the QX70 appearance, which falls short of classy in the eye of this beholder. I’m no fan of its most prominent physical feature, the long, swooping roofline that is both unappealing and creates other problems as well.

Thanks to the design, one has to duck a bit upon entry and exit into the QX70. But more disturbing is the low-sloping hood causes visibility problems and reduces headroom for passengers. The edgy design is not for everyone, falling short of the elegance that other midsize luxury SUVS provide.

2015 Infiniti QX70

• Performance: 3.7-liter, V6, 325 horsepower
• Mileage estimate: 16-24 mpg
• Estimated price: $45,850 to $47,300
• Warranty: 4 years/60,000 miles; drivetrain: 6 years/70,000 miles; roadside assistance: 4 years/unlimited; corrosion: 7 years/unlimited

Not familiar with the QX70? That’s understandable because Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury brand, decided to rename much of its product line over the past year. The QX70 was formerly the Infiniti FX. The FX offered a 5.0-liter V8, yet that has been dropped with the unveiling of the QX70, which now has only a single trim level V6 with a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

However, the muscular V6 is not lacking in performance, so perhaps fans of the former V8 won’t be too disappointed. The QX70 features a robust 3.7-liter, V6 that produces 325 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque that gets 17-24 mpg. It accelerates from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, which is quick for the class. A number that’s not as appealing is the all-wheel drive models only have a 2,000-pound towing capacity.

The QX70, which has a seven-speed automatic transmission, provides both a quiet and smooth ride, and also offers some engine “growl” that lets you know the performance is pretty formidable. A sport-tuned suspension is responsible for giving drivers a confident feeling of control that’s backed up by precise steering and strong braking capability.

The interior design has its share of good and marginal qualities. The QX70 features an upscale design, utilizes high-quality materials, and has its share of admirable technology, both in standard features and its sizable list of options. The leather upholstery and (real) wood add a touch of class.

But among the interior’s downsides are rear seats that are far from spacious for three people, coming up short in both leg and head room. The cargo space is lacking in room as well with just 25 cubic feet that increases to 62 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.

Like most luxury brands, the QX70 provides a generous list of standard features that includes: automatic bi-xenon headlights; foglights; power-folding heated mirrors; sunroof; power liftgate; dual-zone automatic climate control; leather upholstery; heated eight-way power front seats (with two-way power driver lumbar); folding and reclining rear seats; rearview camera; Bluetooth phone connectivity; 7-inch color display screen; 11-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with satellite radio, a CD player and an iPod/USB audio interface.

The feeling here is the 2015 Infiniti QX70, priced at approximately $45,850, has enough downside to leave potential buyers harboring serious doubts.