Dayton Daily News

Years ago our family decided to make its sport-utility vehicle purchase a fresh-to-market Infiniti QX4. (When I say "our family," I mean my wife.)

Here is where I say I was never really a fan of the ride.

Here is where I say times change.

Not only did Infiniti improve the QX4's road manners, but the automaker has been able to establish an even larger SUV as a viable competitor in the luxury market. The premium cousin of the Nissan Armada debuted in 2004 and gets its largest overhaul to date for 2008.

The exterior has been subtly changed with freshened front and rear fascias. There are also new fog lights and a roof rack. Changing the profile the most are 20-inch chromed-alloy wheels, a bold increase over the 18-inch wheels from last year.

Best of the interior changes that include lit steering wheel controls and a different look for the gauges is a power-folding third-row seat — a must-have for SUVs in this price range.

The 2008 QX56 comes in only two trims, with rear-wheel drive for $52,520 and all-wheel drive for $55,350.

The single powerplant is a 5.6-liter V-8 engine that is mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces

320 horsepower, and it proved to be a real go-getter, even from a standing start. The truth is that what used to be a drawback to the infant QX4 — its jarring ride — has been smoothed over nicely even on this large SUV. If your thoughts are set on a truck that rides like a car, your wishes won't be totally granted in the QX56, but neither will they be dashed. The handling is adequate and under most conditions, the ride is pleasant enough.

Second-row spaciousness stands out inside the QX56. Captain's chairs are standard, but a three-person bench can be swapped in at no charge. With a 60/40 split third-row bench, seating is either seven or eight people.

This is a big truck with a high step-in, but running boards are standard. In fact, there isn't much not standard.

Here's a list of some — but certainly not all — of the standard items: Intelligent Key for keyless entry and ignition; dual-zone automatic climate control; power third-row vent windows; heated seats for the first two rows; hands-free phone system; power rear liftgate; second-row removable center console; power-adjustable pedals; and heated steering wheel. All seating surfaces are leather-covered.

Music lovers will appreciate the 12-speaker Bose Premium Audio System, subwoofer, third-row speakers and amplifier. You can carry your music with you, thanks to a 9.3-gigabyte built-in hard drive that can store up to 2,900 songs. A three-year subscription to XM Satellite Radio is included, as is a similar subscription to a XM NavTraffic with real-time traffic information.

A navigation system is also standard, as is a rearview monitor and rear sonar system.

Standard safety features include front-seat mounted supplemental side-impact airbags, roof-mounted curtain side airbags with rollover sensor, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, brake assist, 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The QX56 does fairly well in the cargo hauling area with 97.1 cubic feet of space available. Towing capacity stands at 9,000 pounds.

Check the accompanying fact box for the fuel mileage if you really must know, but remember that being fuel-efficient is not what a large SUV is all about. The QX56 is what a large SUV is about.

David Mikesell is a free-lance automotive reviewer based in Indianapolis. Read this review and others like it at DaytonDailyNews.com/Wheels.