The Infiniti QX56 is a SUV built from 2003 to 2013 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in the United States — 67.3% of those on record. Between 2004 and 2013 it grew 2 cm longer and gained 100 kg. Engines offered: V8. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the QX56 is
The Infiniti QX56 is a SUV that Infiniti built from 2003 to 2013 — 11 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2011. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest siblings in the Infiniti range: Q50, QX60, QX80.
Where the QX56 is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 474 QX56s on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| the United States | 5N3 | 2004-2010 | |
| Japan | JN8 | 2011-2013 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Infiniti VIN decide which of these 2 lines your QX56 belongs to. What every character in a QX56 VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Infiniti QX56 adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
QX56 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the QX56's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the QX56 that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-2010 | 527 cm | 314 cm | 2554 kg | - | - |
| 2011-2013 | 529 cm | 308 cm | 2654 kg | +2 cm | +100 kg |
Between 2004 and 2013 the QX56 gained 2 cm in length (+0.4%) and 100 kg in weight (+3.9%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the QX56 that is 100 kg against 2 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Infiniti QX56 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment QX56 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Infiniti QX56 have? Power & range
The Infiniti QX56 is offered with 1 powertrain — 5.6L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Infiniti QX56, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.6L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S7) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Infiniti QX56 tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Infiniti QX56 is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your QX56's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The QX56 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Infiniti QX56. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | QX56 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 30 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 461 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Insurance | $1,665/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 370 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Infiniti QX56?
The QX56 is a SUV, built from 2003 to 2013 across 2 generations. Engines offered: V8.
Where is the Infiniti QX56 made?
Across 474 cars in our records the split is: the United States (67.3%), Japan (32.7%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the QX56 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2011. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the QX56 grew 2 cm longer and gained 100 kg.
What is the Infiniti QX56 warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 6 years / 70,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the QX56 reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific QX56?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Infiniti
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infiniti Q50 | 2014–2026 | 31 | 31 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Infiniti QX60 | 2014–2026 | 33 | 26 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Infiniti QX80 | 2014–2026 | 31 | 18 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Infiniti G37 | 2008–2013 | 22 | 22 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Infiniti G35 | 2003–2009 | 19 | 20 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Infiniti Q60 | 2014–2022 | 16 | 25 mpg | 4.0/5 |
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