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2001 Infiniti's QX4 Sport Utility Vehicle
Brute Strength Draped in a Cloak of Elegance

by Courtney Caldwelll

QX4Road & Travel Magazine took possession of a 2001 Infiniti QX4 sport utility vehicle in August to spend an intimate 6 months with this smooth operator. Sure, we tested it in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York last March where two feet of snow was expected to show off its brute strength, agile handling, and suave moves in the face of adversity. But, as luck would have it, that particular trip was marred by unseasonably warm weather. The most slip-sliding we did was in the cascading puddles streaming down the roadside from the melting snow. And naturally, on our last night there, after the test drive was over, it snowed snowflakes the size of Rhode Island. Ok, the size of golf balls. 

Impressed with the Qx4 nonetheless, with its low-to-the-ground hugger appearance, yet elegant and sophisticated lines, we knew we had to have more, see more, do more. So we called Infiniti and asked how many first borns we'd have to give up in order to get one for 6 months. Their gracious reply was none; it's yours for the taking. And so they delivered. 

Our long term Qx4, a mysterious mix of luxury and sport sedan, showed up on our doorstep drenched in a classic white coat of shiny armor with silver metallic trim. Not like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. More like Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. Can't get much more elegant than that. It's athletic styling was formidable but not threatening, nor too masculine as some SUV's can be. This is definitely a man's, or woman's SUV. While androgynously accepting to either sex, it never loses touch with its commanding grace and powerful persona on or off the road. 

Entrance into the QX4 is like entering a luxury home you might see in Architectural Digest. Luxurious leather seats provide comfort from shoulders to knees no matter what your height or width. The rich velvety feel of the steering wheel is saturated with wood so soft to the touch, it's hard to believe it came from a tree. The dash and console, a soft blend of tan and beige hues, is so uniquely fashionable that In Style, not Infiniti, comes to mind as the designated designer. This perfect combination of attributes come together so well that it's easy to forget you're driving a truck.

Room is one of the Qx4's best features. Vertical and horizontal electric  bucket seats offer incomparable comfort with spacious leg and head room, for all size drivers and passengers. With the fully loaded model (which is a must), two-temperature fanny warmers are available for cold winter days when stockings are just not enough. The back seat has room enough for two large adults, or a family of kids and animals. The cargo area offers infinite space for near anything, or as we used to say in the old days, a two-body trunk, indeed.  The adjustable roof rack picks up the slack for anything too long, too much, or too wide. Always remember, though, when loading an SUV, the center of gravity shifts. This means driving your SUV more slowly and cautiously when loaded. 

The sound system in the Qx4 is superior to most which we like a lot and expect in a vehicle of this quality. The only challenge we found was the location of the radio control knobs. They are placed right beneath the air conditioning controls and look and feel identical. Out of pure habit, it's easy to reach out and turn the wrong knob to lower the sound. Until you get used to the positioning of which is where, it forces you to take your eyes off the road to see where the correct knob is. We recommend that owners of the Qx4 be sure to make all the appropriate adjustments with radio and A/C BEFORE leaving the driveway. 

The ride and handling surprised us the most. One would expect a vehicle of this size to move like a slug in the slow lane of 66. In spite of its elegant style and graceful beauty, it does appear too big to boogie. One trip down the highway of harmony and we had a new attitude. This baby can haul ass.  The Qx4 has no problem keeping up with the Jones' with its 240 horse-power engine, and when they get in the way, our long term lover rolls right over them. It has amazing pick up and passing power, something we like a lot at RTM. Getting out of the way, or away from, is what we like doing best. 

We could get into the gas issue but common sense prevails here. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out. With the cost of gas today, the "full size" of this iron stallion, and it's powerful engine, suffice it to say, if you can't afford the gas, you probably can't afford to own a Qx4. The asking price for our fully loaded long termer borders $40 G's.

This looker is definitely for those who want to be seen in something they can be proud of. It's a head turner. There's no shortage of lookie-loos when driving our Qx4 around town. It's like having a thoroughbred dog. Everybody stares and if they can, stops  to ask us a bevy of questions about it, which we're proud to answer. Gee, I wonder if Infiniti is giving commissions?. 

There's only one thing about the Qx4 that we don't like. Getting out! The running boards along the side stick out too far. When exiting the vehicle the back of your calves scrape along the running boards. On one particular day, it was raining and I happened to be wearing a white business suit. When I exited the vehicle, the back of  my pants picked up the road sludge that had accumulated along the boards as I was driving. At first, I thought it might be just me at 5'1" so I had a few taller people try it; men and women, and found the same result. But, it's not enough to deter our love for this vehicle. As in all things and people, there's always a flaw. And, flaws can be corrected.  

Other than that, we couldn't be happier with Infiniti's Qx4. They've done a remarkable job at blending luxury and brute. It's got that James Bond sort of feel about it. Strength, courage, and animal magnitude, cloaked in a fine cape of luxury, style and elegance. Just the way it should be. 

Stay tuned for our next review as we drive the Qx4 from Michigan to Boston in the dead of winter. This, we expect, should unveil and reveal what a beast of this nature is really made of. However, like all things fine and elegant, we do expect it to get better with age.

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