Tackling off road adventure

While compact, eco-friendly cars certainly do have their advantages, there is no doubt that SUVs have an appeal all of their own.

Space, capability and presence are just some of the factors that make SUVs so popular in Bahrain, but the Infiniti QX80, offers more than just that, it offers luxury by the bucket load.

Its exterior is a sight to behold. It’s tall, wide and refined which gives drivers a glimpse of what this model is all about.

Inside is a sophisticated affair with the first and second rows covered in leather and high-quality materials for a design that’s tasteful but understated.

There is plenty of room in this spacious seven-seater to keep everyone comfortable and there’s even room to spare for cargo in the back.

The infotainment system is honestly something special. It’s user friendly and can be adjusted with the steering wheel-mounted controls or the touch-screen display panel in the centre stack.

With a ride like this, it’d be rude not to take it for a little off-road action, so I punched in a route and hit the highway.

A lot of SUVs look big and bulky and handle much the same way, not this model. It cruised along the highway smoothly and the cabin was eerily quiet if not for the thunderous sound system.

Under the bonnet is a V8 engine and at 5.6 litres, it gets this huge hunk of metal moving in a hurry. The QX80 engine boasts direct injection, variable valve timing and intake-valve lift that delivers 400bhp, a real beast.

It does 0-100kmph in 6.5 seconds, which is even more impressive when you see the size and imagine the weight of this SUV.

Another advantage of a car this size is the respect it garners on the road. People see you coming from a mile away and are always willing to make room for you to pass, which is a refreshing change.

As I got nearer to the Tree of Life, it was time to switch driving modes and use the off-road settings which totally transformed the drive. Pot holes, bumps, uneven roads were all taken in their stride.

Control and durability are essential factors when you head off- road into rough terrain and the QX80 has both in abundance.

It’s awesome power, traction and hi/lo gearing allow you to confidently tackle soft sand and rugged rock ascents and descents with ease, with Infiniti All-Mode 4WD being more than adequate for the vast majority of situations.

Safety is obviously an important factor in any car and this SUV has plenty of passive and active safety features worth mentioning.

The helpful Around View Monitor, which offers a view of all sides, as if from above the SUV, is standard, and Infiniti offers a ton of optional safety equipment available in a Technology Package, including Intelligent Brake Assist with Forward Collision Warning and Backup Collision Warning, as well as Backup Collision Intervention.
Prices start from BD26,495.

For more details, call Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons on 17732732 or 17211111.