Okay, there's a chance the Infiniti QX56 will not go down in history as the best-looking vehicle from the Big Sport Utility Era. It looks almost as awkward as its name sounds, but its assets are considerable when weighed against those of the competition.

The QX56 comes with one of the most powerful V8s in the class. It's an excellent choice among full-size SUVs for towing a heavy trailer while hauling seven passengers in luxurious comfort. And it offers serious off-road capability, an area where Nissan has a lot of experience. The QX56 is based on the full-size Nissan Titan pickup and Armada SUV.

The Infiniti QX56 offers seating for seven or eight and is rated to tow 8,900-9,000 pounds. Nissan's 5.6-liter 32-valve engine generates more torque than the V8s in the 2006 Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. The Lexus LX470 and Toyota Sequoia can't compete with the Infiniti's towing capability.

Out on the highway, the QX56 is smooth and quiet, benefiting from a four-wheel independent suspension and a smooth five-speed automatic. It feels responsive and sure-footed on winding roads. Yet it's capable off road; its four-wheel drive-system features a low range, and skid plates are available. It comes standard with latest in electronic stability control, traction control and ABS technology, all of which can help you maintain control in emergency handling situations, and the available all-wheel-drive system further improves handling stability in slippery conditions.. .More>>

Talk about the best of all possible worlds. It was a brilliantly sunny, cold day on the Chesapeake Bay, with a strong northwest wind that thrashed the water into a white-capped froth of two- and three-foot waves. I was at the helm of the Beneteau Flyer 12. The boat was tearing along at about 30 knots headed downwind, and by all rights I should have been freezing my keister off. But I was comfortable in the extreme on the wide, leather-covered helm seat, protected from the winds and surrounded on all sides by a glass-enclosed deckhouse. The brilliant late-fall sun was pouring in through the sliding sunroof panel.

Hardtop designs like this one have proliferated with the demand among boat owners for more comfort and an extended cruising season. But too much insulation from the environment runs counter to the reasons many of us enjoy being on the water to begin with. Bravo to Patrice Sarrazin and the Beneteau design team for offering a good solution on the Flyer 12. The suntop was engineered with a safety feature to prevent crushed fingers, and it was built to seal positively against water intrusion.

The light, bright deckhouse encloses a gleaming, pear-hued sideboard with lifting panels (they hide galley appliances). There’s an equally gorgeous dining table with hidden storage, along with sumptuous fabrics and fittings throughout the two-cabin, two-head layout. The Beneteau Flyer 12 is as lovely to live in as it is to look at.. . . .  More>>