Test drive: The Infiniti QX70

RYMCO, Infiniti’s exclusive agent in Lebanon, offered BelleBeirut a test drive of the Infiniti QX70, the Japanese automakers’ famous sports SUV. The 3.7L V6 329 HP was more than a delight to drive, and the car performed extremely well in Beirut city and on the tough roads of Mount Lebanon.

Although I have driven the previous versions of the QX70 (FX), the experience of driving this beast was out of this world. So much so, that I got my brother (who owns a previous model), to try it out and let me know what he thinks. We both quickly noted the amazing edge this car has in terms of performance and handling. I detailed what we also loved about the QX70 here:

The look and design

The brash styling has been enhanced with a facelift and includes new grill, front bumper and headlights. The new headlights, which were a trademark in the previous FX versions of the car, are particularly striking and give the car a more aggressive look. The new wheel design are flashy, and complete the car’s overall sporty look.

The interior

The basic model of the QX70 comes with more standard features than its competitors, which gives the car an edge especially in its interior. Indeed, the car is equipped with a standard 360 view reverse camera, along with heated and cooled seats. Storage space in the front is impressive; you get two cup holders, a large glove box, large door bins and ample storage in the middle console.

The seating is perfectly adapted to the car’s sporty feel. I felt that the driver’s seat was conveniently designed to reduce blind spots and give the driver a perfect view at high and low maneuvering speeds. Also, the soft touches and trim of the gear and the dashboard are designed to make you feel like you are driving a true sports car.

The handling and performance

The QX70 really lives up to its reputation, and even takes it up a notch with this model. For its size, I found that the car handles exceptionally well. The steering is responsive and it feels nicely weighted. The suspension is smooth, even on high-speed turns and bumpy highways (typical in Lebanon). What I loved most about the car was the amazingly designed paddle shifters. They allow you to get more control over the car’s 7-speed automatic gearbox, which otherwise changes gears smoothly and quickly.

This is completed by the high-performance and loud engines that are equipped on the QX70. The latter take it from 0-to-100 Km/h in less than 7 seconds and allow you to cruise at high speeds without feeling that the car is struggling to reach them.

The downside is obviously in the QX70’s heavy fuel consumption. However, that is something you have to expect when driving such a big sporty car.

I have to say that the Infiniti QX70 is my favorite so far from the ones I have test-driven. And it is worth noting that the car has scored 5 stars in crash tests and is a real head turner.

So, if you are looking for a 4×4 with the styling of a sports coupe, then the Infiniti QX70 is just what you need!

To get a closer look at the car, pass by RYMCO’s Infinity Lebanon showrooms in Dbayeh and Chyah or click here.