WHILE sales of passen- ger cars have been on a downward trend in recent years, sales of light trucks including mini-vans, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles have been booming. Sport-utility vehicles, in particular, have become increasingly popular despite their comparatively poor gas mileage, greater weight, and more unwieldy handling. Buyers have been attracted by their greater cargo-carrying ability, good poor weather traction, greater towing capac- ity, and tougher image. Alot of new and/or revised sport-utes have been introduced in the past nwo years. In the busy mid-sized category, the Infiniti QX4 8°. joins the Ford Explorer, Jeep * Grand Cherokee, Jeep Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner, ‘| Nissan Pathfinder, Chevy Blazer, GMC Jimmy, Land Rover Discovery, Isuzu Rodeo, Isuzu Trooper, and _ the soon-to-be-introduced - Dodge Durango. - The QX4 is basically a restyled, better-equipped, upscale version of the Nissan Pathfinder. The most important differ- ence between the Pathfinder and the QX4 is the Infiniti’s \.4 Venture Pacific ROUP OF COMPANIES ) VEHICLE LEASING § « MEW & USED © CARS & TRUCKS ALL MAKES 97 FORD EXPEDITION | unique four-wheel-drive sys- tem and “smart” anti-lock braking system. Like the Pathfinder, the QX4 can be operated in both two-wheel- drive (rear-wheel-drive} and four-wheel-drive, but the QX4's WT system is more sophisticated. With the nvist of a dial on the dashboard, the QX4 switches to “auto” mode, ar all-wheel-drive sys- tem that directs most of the engine’s power to the rear wheels in dry conditions, but uses electronic sensors to instruct a hydraulic muitiplate clutch to send up to 50% of the torque to the front wheels when things get slippery. This kind of system allows the QN+ to react automatically to changing road surfaces, and unlike standard part-time 4WD systems, the QX4 can be driven on dry pavement with- out damaging the drivetrain. Another unique feature of the QN4 is that its anti-lock braking system is ced clectrron- ically to the “auto” 4WD mode. When the ABS is acti- vated under panic braking, the 4WD system automatically transfers engine torque from the front wheels to the rear wheels to enhance vehicle sta- bility. As well, the “smart” ABS system has sensors which detect different road surfaces, and adjust its operation for the minimum stopping distance. Like the Pathfinder, the QX4 has a standard 168 horsepower, 3.3-litre V6 engine and four-speed auto- matic transmission. This engine develops maximum torque at 2,800 r.p.m., so it is fairly responsive at low. speed. histicated four-wheel-driv The QX4, properly equipped, will tow up to 2,268 kg (5,000 Ibs.) My tesz-drive revealed that the QX4 is a quiet, comfort- able performer while cruising on the highway but under acceleration, driveline vibra- tions and some engine noise were evident in the passenger cabin. Handling is stable under normal conditions and steering effort is minimal, but like most sport-ites, the height of the QX4 makes it feel more top-heavy than a typical luxury car. Infinia believes the QX4's combination of luxury, reliabil ity and 4WD satety will appeal to upscale buyers who want more than a car. Standard equipment on the QX4 includes leather upholstery, steering wheel and shifter knob; woodgrain tim; Bose AM/FM/CD cassette with six speakers; power windows, door flocks, “and heated outside mirrors; power driver and pas- senger heated seats; keyless entry with alarm and a lor more. The QX4's base price of $44,500 includes everything except 2 glass sunroof . While the QX4 compares well with other import sport- utiliry vehicles, it is not really an alternative to a luxury car. What it gains in ground clear- ance, traction, visibility, towing capacity, and cargo space, it loses in handling, ride, perfor- mance and refinement. That’s the price that most hybrid trucks pay. To appreciate this, I would recommend you take the comparably-priced Infiniti 130 for a test-drive right after you drive the QX4. Friday, January 17, 1997 — North Shore News - 39 pea Photo submitted THE 1997 Infiniti QX4 is a better-equipped, upscale version of the Nissan Pathfinder with a 168 horsepower 3.3-litre V6 engine, four-speed automatic trans- mission, woodgrain trim, feather seats, and a unique all-wheel-drive system. Test drive the new Infiniti sport-utility at Regency Infiniti, 1768 Burrard St., Vancouver (739-7811). Technical Data 1997 Infini QX4 Base price: $44,500 Type: four-door, five-passenger sport utility Layout: longitudinai lengine/2WD/AWD Engine: 3.3-lire V6, SOHC Horsepower: 168 @ 4,800 front Transmission: automadc Towing capacity: 2,268 kg (5,000 Ibs.) Length: 4,67] mm (183.9 in.) widen: i B39 mm (72.4 inch- Heighe: 1,796 min (70.7 inch- four-speed ss) Cargo capacity (nin: 1,076 ficres (38.0 cu. Fuel anna City — 15.6 1/100 kms (18 m.p.g.); Hwy — 11.6 1/100 kms (24 m.p.g.) Warranty: four years/80,000: kms | titra * Previ via’s "Eddie Bauer Edition" 1 Leather, Ioad The undispuied king of minwans, tyrury. satety $9 Jegendaty leyat quality at a price you