A new look will greet those bent on kicking the tires of the 2011 Infiniti QX56. Front, rear, inside, and topside all get some sexy exterior curves, added cabin refinement, and more user-friendly doo-dads, giving this big SUV a jolt of much-needed distinction. Meanwhile the V8 powerplant also gets a tweak or two, with direct injection for some 80 extra ponies and 20 additional lb-ft of torque, and variable valve timing for (marginally) better fuel economy. Offered in only one Base trim level, the seven/eight passenger QX56 is delivered in the standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration, with on-demand four-wheel drive (4WD) available – at a significantly heftier price.

Roomy and refined, brawny and bodacious, the 2011 QX56 offers passengers a more high-end cabin atmosphere, while its durable construction ensures added safety and the oomph to tow up to 8,500 pounds of trailer. Based on Nissan’s U.S.-deprived Patrol SUV, this top-shelf Sport Ute remains one of the few body-on-frame heavy haulers still standing, and competes with the likes of the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade in the somewhat oxymoronic, but no doubt lucrative, luxury SUV market.

Powering this behemoth is the newly beefed up 5.6-liter V8 engine, now under the auspices of a standard seven-speed auto-manual transmission with hill-start assist. Expect some 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque out of this beast, but, beware that with an estimated 14/20 mpg, a familiarity with area gas stations will be required.

A self-leveling suspension system remains standard for the 2011 QX56, while the part-time 4WD system features electronic hi-lo gear selection, auto-locking hubs, and a center-mounted, limited-slip locking differential.

In keeping with its upscale image, the 2011 QX56 pampers owners and passengers with a plethora of standard appearance features and creature comforts. Outside, 20-inch alloy wheels and step running boards complement a trailer hitch and wiring, power sunroof, power liftgate, roof rack, and skid plates to produce a refined silhouette. Inside, leather upholstery, multi-level heated, power-adjustable front seats, second-row captain's chairs, power-folding third-row seats, remote power door locks, heated, reverse-tilting power mirrors, power-adjustable telescoping tilt-wheel steering, cruise control, keyless ignition, universal remote garage door opener, three-zone air conditioning, simulated aerial camera technology, three-zone climate control, leather, alloy, and wood dash and cabin trim, and memory for driver's settings give off an air of technical sophistication and luxurious comfort.

Three options packages, the Deluxe Touring Package, Technology Package, and Theatre Package offer such additional amenities as Hydraulic Body Motion Control for added stability in hard cornering, heated second-row seats, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, radar-guided Intelligent Cruise Control, blind-spot warning and lane-departure warning systems, and dual 7-inch rear-seat DVD monitors. Meanwhile standalone options, including illuminated kick plates, second-row bench seats (for eight-passenger capacity), a vehicle alarm impact sensor, and a heated steering wheel, are also available.

Safety-wise, the 2011 QX56 is delivered with standard four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, dual front side-mounted airbags, three-row head airbags, active front headrests, turn-signal-integrated exterior mirrors, front fog/driving lights, HID headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and a post-collision safety system. The well-regarded blind-spot warning and lane departure systems are available with the Technology Package.

Outright value is cited as one of the major reasons owners chose the 2010 Infiniti QX56, though the understandably dismal fuel efficiency of this outsized trailering machine diminishes its luster a bit for some. Iffy front brakes, inadequate front seat support, and a frustrating lack of separate iPod-nav-audio interface also leave some owners cold. Looks, over-the-top standard features, a roomy and comfortable cabin, plush ride, and confidence-inspiring bulk, however, have virtually all owners praising their QX56. The 2011 version, due this summer, should be even better.