With effort it is possible for designers to make two similar vehicles assume different personalities. The QX4's silhouette is clean and attractive, with careful detailing in the rear door handles, which are cleverly concealed in the C-pillars. Strong horizontal lines visually lengthen the body, while large fender flares provide a broad-shouldered toughness. You'll have to look carefully to differentiate QX4 from Pathfinder in side view.
That's not the case when viewed from the front. Large air intakes, headlamp clusters and bumper-mounted fog and driving lights are unique to the QX4. Whether the blocky but efficient nose seems just right or slightly over-the-top is a matter of individual taste. It grew on us during the test period and definitely gave the Infiniti its own identity. Less was done by the stylists in back, but the careful breaking up of flat surfaces with trim in contrasting colors looks good.
Shopping for a QX4 is easy. A single model is offered with a long list of standard features. Automatic transmission, leather upholstery, wood trim accents, automatic-controlled air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/cassette 6-speaker sound system, power assists for windows, mirrors, door locks and front seats (the driver's seat has eight adjustments), a built-in HomeLink transmitter for gates and garage doors, remote keyless entry and much more are included with the standard model. Three package variations add a power glass sunroof alone or sunroof plus heated seats, a 6-disc CD changer placed under the front passenger's seat and rear window wind deflector, or all of those amenities plus a limited-slip rear differential.
Our test QX4 was fully equipped. Considering the modest $1900 gap between least- and most-expensive versions, we recommend opting for the comfort and convenience. We also recommend the optional limited-slip rear differential for improved traction over slick surfaces.
Wood trim and leather upholstery are two of the primary perceptual marks of a luxury vehicle interior. They dominate the first view inside the QX4. Tastefully applied, they are complimentary elements of a well-designed space. Dashboard and door panels are attractively shaped from top-grade materials and are elegantly trimmed. As intended, the QX4 interior would look right at home in a Q45 luxury sedan.
Getting in or out requires a long step up or down, but once inside you'll find all the right pieces in all the right places. The speedometer, tachometer, water temperature and fuel level gauges are large. Big buttons are used for the necessary functions. Sensible rotary dials operate the climate control system. The radio buttons are a little fussy, and the electric mirror switches are hidden from view by the wheel. Overall, Infiniti's designers have done their work well.
A quiet, comfortable cabin is one of the QX4's greatest assets. The seats are as accommodating as they appear to be. Plush pile carpeting is underfoot and the QX4 seems even quieter than the Pathfinder. An excellent heating/ventilation/air conditioning system keeps interior temperatures at the desired level. This pleasant environment is complemented with generous cargo space.
On the debit side, taller occupants may find a little less headroom than they'd like, and adults sitting in the rear seats will wish for more head- and legroom. Also, the side step rail is too narrow for big feet, and tall drivers will find it in the way when getting in or out.
On the highway, the QX4 delivers a remarkably smooth ride. The stiff body structure allowed engineers to retune the springs and shock absorbers for better ride quality. Changes in road surface, freeway expansion strips and other irregularities are hardly noticed. In this regard, the QX4 meets standards set by more expensive SUVs. Road noise and vibrations are well suppressed. At cruising speed, a hum from the all-season tires is the most obtrusive sound.
