Drive for Adventure 

The 2017 INFINITI QX70 isn’t your typical SUV, which is saying a lot when you consider the rapid proliferation of SUV models in the last decade. Instead, the QX70 follows its own unique path, one that emphasizes the “sport” in “sport utility vehicle.”

If you’re the type that prefers to live a little more adventurously when it comes to what you drive, then the 2017 INFINITI QX70, which seamlessly blends the characteristics of a sports car and SUV, could very well be the one you’ve always dreamed of. 

Performance

As we've already mentioned, INFINITI clearly wanted to emphasize the “sport” in this sport utility vehicle. Naturally, it needed an engine that could provide plenty of excitement.

Under the QX70’s curvaceous hood is a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 325 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. It drives either the rear wheels or all four through a seven-speed automatic transmission and Adaptive Shift Control.

The QX70 is also built on INFINITI's Front-Midship platform, which places the engine closer to the middle of the chassis for better weight distribution, making for sportier handling. As a crossover vehicle, the QX70 also has a more car-like ride than traditional SUVs.

All of the above translates to a driving experiencing that is more dynamic and in tune with what you'd expect from a sports car. It's essentially the automotive equivalent of having your cake and eating it too.

On the more practical side, the EPA rates the 2017 QX70 at 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway) with rear-wheel drive,* or 18 mpg combined (16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive.*

Features 

The 2017 INFINITI QX70 is a five-door, five-seat crossover offered in a single trim level starting from $45,850.** In addition to a long list of standard equipment, there are also a number of standalone options and packages to make this stylish vehicle even more luxurious.

Standard features include automatic on/off High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, a power liftgate, Bose® 11-speaker Premium Audio System, and power-adjustable front seats with 10-way adjustment for the driver and eight-way adjustment for the passenger.

In addition, INFINITI offers a Premium Package that includes a memory system for the front seats, an entry/exit system for the driver’s seat and steering wheel, navigation, and an eight-inch display screen.

For some added style, the new Limited package replaces the Deluxe Touring Package. It includes 21-inch alloy wheels, a unique front bumper, LED running lights, a metal cargo scuff guard on the rear bumper, diamond-quilted upholstery, cooled front seats, open-pore wood interior trim, and aluminum pedals.

The Technology Package includes several advanced safety features, among them lane departure warning and prevention systems, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. In inclement weather, rain-sensing wipers and the Adaptive Front Lighting System with auto-leveling provide some extra reassurance.

Design

We've hammered home this point already, but it can't be overstated that the 2017 INFINITI QX70 is one crossover that thinks outside the box. Where most similar vehicles try to mimic boxy, truck-based SUVs, the QX70 goes in a completely different direction.

With its long hood, curved roofline, and integrated rear spoiler, the QX70 looks athletic, like a vehicle meant to devour highway miles, not wallow in the mud. The extroverted exterior design is enhanced by a bold grille, functional side air vents, and dual chrome exhaust tips.

The interior design is just as dynamic. INFINITI likens it to an airplane’s cockpit, and we couldn't agree more. You'll feel a palpable sense of adventure and adrenaline every time you get behind the wheel. It's what helps differentiate the QX70 from its competitors and is a high point in the vehicle's overall design.

Fighter planes don’t have steering wheels, but the QX70’s leather-wrapped, three-spoke wheel with cruise and audio controls is pretty nice nonetheless. The electroluminescent gauges are sharp too, and Sequential Welcome Light illumination makes entering the QX70 a sight to behold.

Safety

Even after paying so much attention to its style and performance, INFINITI didn't skimp when it came to the 2017 QX70's safety features. It boasts a wide variety of cutting-edge tech designed to keep you safe, including standard anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and rear-view camera. Front, front-side, and side-curtain airbags are also standard, the latter with a rollover sensor and outboard occupant head protection.

Verdict

The 2017 INFINITI QX70 is a different take on the usual luxury crossover format, one that we think benefits the stagnating crossover segment. Its focus on style and performance sets the QX70 apart from the competition and provides an excellent option for buyers who need a practical vehicle, but don’t want it to be boring.

For more information, contact us online or visit us 3Birds Template at 505 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 to schedule a test drive.

*2017 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions – use for comparison only.

**All prices are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). MSRP excludes destination and handling charges, tax, title, license, and options. 

Image Credit: INFINITI (Vehicle shown with optional equipment)