AUTO

INFINITI QX5

IS THIS THE COMEBACK KID?

By riCHarD posLuszny

Every once and a while, an automaker changes the game. It redefines what’s to be expected in a category and it captures the buying public’s attention. When it happens, it’s a beautiful thing.

Infiniti accomplished this magnificently years ago with not one, but two, products. First, there was the G35 sedan and coupe. When the G was refreshed and released into the wild as the G37, it owned the sport sedan class. It was the car to have.

For its second act, the Japanese luxury brand rolled out the FX sport-utility vehicle. This was one of the first SUVs that brought some all-new vigor to the rather square segment. The FX looked more like a four-door coupe with its severely sloping roofline than the typical, two box design. It too became a darling of the masses and was a strong product.

The problem, you see, is that we’re talking about vehicles that existed 15-20 years ago. It’s been quite some time since Infiniti did something bold like that.

Well, until now.

Today, Infiniti has given us the QX55. Once again it’s bringing something to the market that has some verve. But given the delay in getting us here, is it too little too late? There was only one way to find out.

Upon my arrival into Phoenix, I was greeted by a gray, four-door coupe SUV. It stands out, especially when parked next to something as pedestrian as a Honda CR-V. This is largely due to the FX-inspired roofline that slopes back in an extreme way. Around the front it boasts a significant presence thanks to its prominent grille — it commands attention. Around back it leverages some visual tricks to disguise how hefty its hind quarters are.

While it’s a polarizing design, overall, it’s a tidy exterior design.

Sliding into the two-tone black and red driver’s seat, the cabin’s design looks awfully familiar. That’s because it seems to echo Nissan and Infiniti cues from over the past 10 or so years. This isn’t exactly a good thing. That’s because while most of modern

auto interior design has evolved towards minimalism and increasing the size of the screens inside the vehicle, the QX55 seems to keep a rather early 2010s feel. This translates into the instrument panel having an analog gauge cluster and two screens located in the center stack.

On top is an 8-inch touchscreen that’s leveraged for infotainment. Oddly, it seems to operate legacy software that hasn’t really changed over the years. The screen’s resolution isn’t crystal clear like a retina display nor is it exactly lightning quick. Below that is the 7-inch display that houses more traditional controls. While it is brighter and crisper, unfortunately, it has some clunkiness to it. Although connecting my phone to Bluetooth was a breeze, working your way through some menus to do simple things — like adjusting settings — can be cumbersome.

Thankfully, for the most important controls there’s actual buttons (e.g., HVAC, heating/cooling seats, Elsewhere around the cockpit, overall there’s a feeling of “nice enough.” Although the tech is dated, a well-designed steering wheel, liberal use of leather and soft-touch materials spruce up the space. And, it sort of must. With an as-tested price of just over $60,000, it is competing with some heavy hitters that blend tech and luxury better.

Where the vehicle did shine was with utility. As my significant other and I loaded up the QX55 for a 7-day adventure in the desert, it ate up all the luggage with room to spare. This means two large pieces as well as several duffel bags and several personal items. What can I say? We’re not light packers.

At the end of the day though, what matters most is how it drives. The driving dynamics of the G and the FX are what made them hot commodities.

Firing up the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, I was left wondering if it would have enough juice to get us streaking through the red rocks as we ventured up to Page and came back through the Grand Canyon. On paper, with nearly 270 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque, it looks like it is fit for the job. But, there is a downside. The QX55 is only available with a continually variable transmission (CVT).

Around town, this Infiniti was quite good. Frankly, you wouldn’t know or care the vehicle was equipped in this fashion. You see, where things get difficult is when you’re pushing the QX55 at speed during an hours-long highway drive. means when you step on the throttle to access more power, you’re confronted with a wave of engine noise that takes some time to die down. Engine noise isn’t bothersome when there’s a lovingly tuned six- or eight- or 12-cylinder under the hood. Infiniti did a great job with the G and FX, which benefitted from the unique sounding VQ motor. The QX55, on the other hand sounds more akin to a Toyota or Honda product. And that ruins the vehicle’s mojo, if I am honest. Thankfully, at least the power was adequate.

When working the switchbacks, the QX55 certainly isn’t a sports car but it handles corners in an acceptable fashion. Body roll is kept in check and as a driver you feel confident pushing it a bit more.

Let’s just put it this way: This setup is not ideal to be hustled.

That’s because the four-cylinder is a touch buzzy and this is only amplified through the use of a CVT. This Additionally, the Infiniti does a good job soaking up the road’s imperfections. What helps keep passengers a bit isolated are nice touches like the acoustic glass for the front windows as well as active noise cancellation. It’s not a cure-all for wind and road noise, but

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SAY GOODBYE TO NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND LIMITING BELIEFS We all have that voice in our heads. The little voice that tells us we are not good enough, smart enough or deserving enough. When you get a negative thought, take note of it, dismiss it, forgive it and let it go. Next reach for a new positive thought. One that makes you feel good. Focus on what is good and what is working well in your life. Surrounding yourself with positive people who lift you up and support you is also key.

HIP INJURIES REJUVENATE YOUR HEALTH The hip joint and groin muscles are susceptible to Part of creating better mental health can be found injury due to the mechanics of the skating stride. Some in what’s on our plate and how we move our bodies. of the most common soft tissue injuries in hockey Small steps like taking a walk around your neighborplayers include a groin strain and a hip flexor strain. hood, signing up for a yoga class or dancing around Off-season strengthening and dedicated stretching the house can increase serotonin, the feel good horbefore and after practice are important to prevent these mone. Eliminating sugar, incorporating more seainjuries. In addition, a direct blow to the outside of sonal fruits and vegetables and drinking more water the hip can cause a hip pointer or trochanteric bursi- are simple steps to enhancing your health and relievtis. Hockey pants with reinforced padding over these ing anxiety. vulnerable areas may help protect them. INCORPORATE A DAILY MEDITATION PRACTICE Like any practice, you must want to do it in order to achieve results. It’s really very simple and easier than KNEE INJURIES you think. Beginning a meditation practice requires only your slight willingness. Your desire for more peace in your life, less stress and better focus and so many other benefits is all you need to get on the path. Start by taking 5-10 minutes each morning to close your eyes, focus on your breath and be still. The thoughts will come and that’s natural, just let them go and return to your breath. Try counting four breaths in and four breaths out through the nose. You can also try repeating a mantra like “om” or “peace begins with me.” Start a daily meditation practice and stroll into this season with a spring in your step. Dr. Michael Gross is the founder and director of Active Orthopedic and Sports Medicine. He is the chief of sports medicine at Hackensack/Meridian University Medical Center. Dr. Gross has written numerous articles and book chapters on sports The medial collateral ligament is most susceptible to a sprain because of the leg position – pushing off the inside edge of the skate blade – and contact to the outside of the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruption and meniscus tears (torn cartilage) can also Tracy Flaherty is a certified integrative health and lifestyle coach; meditation teacher; and the author and founder of Be Well Nourished. She integrates meditation into her health coaching practice as well teaching meditation one-on-one and in-group settings. injuries. He has taken care of some of Bergen County’s finest athletes, from weekend warriors occur but are less common in hockey than in other sports such as football, soccer and basketball. You can find her meditations on the Insight timer app and on her Instagram page @wellwith_tracy. to professional athletes. Dr. Gross can be reached The mechanics of the skating stride makes the hip by email at drgross@activeorthopedic.com.and groin muscles susceptible to injury. Some of the

Probably my favorite element of my test E450 All-Ter- most common soft tissue injuries in hockey players rain was how well it handled NVH. Equipped with an include a groin pull and a hip flexor pull. A severe inline six-cylinder, turbocharged engine that produces about 360 horsepower and nearly 370 lb.-ft. of torque, you wouldn’t know it. That’s because the engine is silky smooth. While you will hear the motor spin up if you strain can be a nagging injury that limits performance throughout the season. A direct blow to the outside of the hip can cause a bruise (contusion) of the iliac push it, the sound is not overly intrusive into the cabin. crest (hip pointer) or trochanter (trochanteric bursitis).

Helping this was the fact my test vehicle had the Acous- Avoiding injuries in hockey has to do with properly tic Comfort Package, meaning, it boasted additional fitted equipment, making smart plays, following the sound deadening insulation as well as thicker glass to rules and a lot of luck because hockey is inherently reduce noise. It really pays off as at speed it sounds as risky. Understanding how the injuries occur, recogthough you’re traveling at 20-30 mph when in reality nizing them when they occur and seeking the best you’re doing three times that. You won’t stress your treatment will help you enjoy the game at whatever vocal cords in this E, that’s for sure. Once again, this is a trait found in the flagship model. level you are playing.

All in all, I was extremely impressed during my time with the All-Terrain. Not only did it deliver with space, comfort and excellent control of NVH, it also did the unexpected.

Power was more than adequate, which says something coming from someone who regularly drives autos with more than 600 horsepower, and when in Sport mode you can have a giggle or two. During an Everglades excursion we had to slow down to travel for about five miles on dirt roads. In most vehicles this isn’t exactly a it’s better than going without it. brilliant situation since you can damage the underside of your car. But with the All-Terrain, the button to raise the

And that sort of sums up my experience with the vehicle’s ride height came in handy. Phew!"It is so hard to keep them reading. Reading has become a challenge Infiniti QX55. It is a damn good-looking vehicle and

Add in the extra utility provided by having a long roof and in the modern age. There are so many places you can go to not read. It there are some nice elements to this product. The

I quickly found myself examining this E450 even closer. Frankly, I am considering adding one to my fleet. has fallen out of favor and because they [students] have access to problem is that for every two steps it takes forward, it takes two steps back. This spoils what could have so much technology, reading pales by comparison. So film is a great been a very good equation.

Why, you ask? Well, it’s this simple: It can do anything and it flies under the radar. For me, that’s as close to perfect as it gets. platform.” What could have been a hit for Infiniti winds up being taken down by executional missteps. Outdated tech is not acceptable when you’re commanding Make mine black on black, fully loaded and optioned with a premium price and up against the likes of Audi, the 19-inch AMG wheels, please.

BMW, Genesis, Lexus and Mercedes. And the same Loccke said one of her inspirations for using film in the classroom is to provide her underclassmen with a reward. applies for the transmission, which takes away from Her students are always asking her if there is a film that corresponds with the book so she uses the film as a payoff a powerplant that could be so much more. once the students have finished reading the novel. She shows as many as three movies a year to her underclassmen. Time constraints – her classes are 40 minutes long – usually prevent her from showing more. Unfortunately, that’s the rub. There’s a lot of wasted potential here in a hyper-competitive space. “A lot of what they read they read on their own [and not in class],” Loccke said. “The movie is a great way to provide a communal feeling and it provides something they can share together. You can have a discussion and share it If Infiniti rectifies it in an upcoming refresh though, and the movie is something we all experience at the same time so it is very unifying.” it could be onto something. Such was the case when Loccke addressed the largest classroom of her career on TCM.