Infiniti QX70 2013-2018 review

Behind the wheel, the QX70 certainly feels big and brash. You'll need to get used to people peering inside, while trying to guess what they're thinking soon becomes more entertaining than a game of i-spy. Trouble is, seeing passers-by or indeed your immediate surroundings isn't easy from inside the QX70 - not what you need in a car approaching the width of a Bentley Continental GT.

The shallow windscreen, low-slung driving position (for an SUV), large rear-view mirror and thick rear pillars all get in the way, while judging where those expensive 21in wheels are is made more difficult by the QX70's lumpy front arches. Added to this, the steering is almost comically heavy at low speeds.

When you're not tip-toeing through width restrictors, the QX70 is more enjoyable. From just 1750rpm there's a huge 406lb ft lump of torque ready and waiting, and it's on song for long enough to ensure that B-road overtakes are carried out with confidence.

The steering is a touch quick and a little light off centre but weights up consistently thereafter, while the QX70's squat stance and huge rubber helps it remain upright and grip nicely. It isn't particularly fun, nor adjustable, but you quickly learn to trust it, which tempts you to push harder. Stiffening the dampers in Sport mode improves things further still.

However, holding the QX70 back is its inconsistent seven-speed automatic gearbox. Stamping on the throttle will sometimes see the transmission hook up instantly, propelling you up the road. At other times you have a second's pause, a big inhalation and then a hefty kick up the backside.

It extinguishes the QX70's otherwise predictable nature. Once you've enjoyed barrelling and settling into a bend, you want all that torque at a moment's notice when it's time to feed in the throttle, but often the gearbox doesn't play ball.

The ride needs work, too. With the dampers set to Normal, large bumps are well cushioned but sharp-edged potholes crash into the cabin and the body is allowed to move about too much. Sport mode brings the body under more control but makes it too firm the rest of the time. We mostly plumped for the latter.