2014 Infiniti QX70: A Reciprocating effect of a New Name

2014 Infiniti QX70 Overview

Apparently, letters have a cool factor, but just like anything else, they also have its own prime time.  Well, at least to the marketing team at at Infiniti.  Once known as the popular FX37 that promised both sports car like performance and SUV functionality is now known as the 2014 Infiniti QX70.  Mind you, the ‘X’ cleverly indicates the cross-over SUV models in Infiniti’s lineup.

The Infiniti FX badge has spanned for over a decade’s worth of cross-over SUV accolade.  But with such a significant name change to the well received cross-over SUV, you’d figure the 2014 QX70 had something extraordinary to offer.   Certainly not much to offer from the outside, but the all new 2014 QX70 has some nice technological features and upgrades including the infamous automated downshift rev matching as well as an upgraded model featuring an all new 5.0 liter V8 engine as opposed to the traditional 3.7 liter V6.

Under the hood of the 2014 Infiniti QX70 lies the 3.7 liter engine producing 328 horsepower and 265 ft-lbs of torque.  A quick glimpse from the outside reveals both muscularity and finesse of the 2014 QX70 outer shell.  Move closer and squint, you begin to notice a staggering collection of automotive jewelery sprinkled throughout the car.    Luxury qualities in the exterior is well accompanied by the interior.

Styling

The 2014 Infiniti qX70 interior cabin space is very warm and welcoming.  New the the 2014 Infiniti QX interior is the added cross-pattern leather stitching on the side panels and seats.  While the leather seat material looks and feel upscaled, the superior ergonomics that I deeply loved has slightly faded.  The seating arrangement in the 2014 Infiniti QX70 also has a significant height offset, which may take a little getting used to.  In a driver’s perspective, the 2014 Infiniti QX70 gives a very unique driving experience with its bubbled front hood and front light panels visible from the cockpit position.  This cockpit perspective feature allows drivers to see exactly where the car is being steered towards when hitting an apex on a turn.

Performance and Handling

There is no shortage of power with the 2014 Infiniti QX70.  Mechanical propulsion is generated by a meaty 3.7 liter mated to a 7 speed automatic transmission.  Acceleration off a red light is quick and assertive with minimal delay thanks to its naturally aspirated engine..  Accelerator pedal handling in the 2014 Infiniti QX70 is also very feisty, especially at lower speeds.  The aggressive acceleration and handling can certainly be appreciated, but it does lack the composure and smoothness compared to other cross-over SUV’s in the market.

With added AWD system, the 2014 QX70 weighs in at 4200 lbs which is a bit on the heavy side.  But thanks to the offroad suspension setup and engine tuning, the 2014 QX70 feels fairly light and nimble.  Governed by the Infiniti AWD system, the 2014 Infiniti QX70 is destined for surviving harsh weather conditions.  But with a non-perfect weight distribution of 53/47 and mediocre stock tires, the 2014 Infiniti QX70 may not be the most ideal vehicle in the snow for the budgeted price.

From luxury  to performance, the 2014 Infiniti QX70 offers quite a bit within the range.  But what Infiniti missed out on that would attract buyers into the luxury segment is fuel economy.  Rated at 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway for the 3.7 V6 model, the 2014 Infiniti QX70 has one of the worst fuel efficiency in its class.  The 5.0 liter V8 model lowers the standard even more with a rated 16/22 mpg on city and highway respectively.

Final Thoughts

New name with a new marketing strategy, I get it.  But the features, styling and performance doesn’t quite live up to the revelation on its new badge.  But certainly, the 2014 QX70 has preserved the best elements of the Infiniti FX37 with a plethora of safety features including All-view monitoring system, lane departure and advanced collision avoidance system.

 

What we would have liked to see is Infiniti to take more initiative in improving their technology in fuel economy.  Sure there’s a lot to appreciate the ability to accelerate a tank like a sports car with the upgraded V8 engine, but this appeals to a very small set of buyers, which certainly won’t help Infitniti get its sales number up in competition with other luxury brands including Mercedes and BMW.  Perhaps, channeling efforts towards newer technology such as hybrid power trains would have done better good than flashy marketing and research for a sexier set of alphanumeric characters.