2022 INFINITI QX50

　　

2022 INFINITI QX50 Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　Infiniti redesigned its QX50 compact crossover SUV for the 2019 model year, and that redesign introduced a revolutionary engine and newly luxurious interior wrapped in classic Infiniti design. The QX50's engineering and packaging also mimicked successful recipes employed by the likes of Acura, Audi, Lexus and Volvo. Turbocharging? Yep. Space-efficient front-wheel-drive platform? Present and accounted for. Available all-wheel drive? Of course, it is an SUV, after all.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 INFINITI QX50 PURE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$184/mo  for QX50 PURE

　　QX50 PURE

　　PURE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $39,150 MSRPPURE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $41,150 MSRPLUXE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) (Most Popular) - $42,500 MSRPLUXE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $44,500 MSRPESSENTIAL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $46,950 MSRPESSENTIAL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $48,950 MSRPSENSORY 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $51,650 MSRPSENSORY 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $53,650 MSRPAUTOGRAPH 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $57,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Unfortunately for Infiniti, what should have been a tasty cake came out half-baked.

　　The variable-compression turbocharged four-cylinder engine promises impressive power when needed and great fuel economy the rest of time. But we've found acceleration to be merely adequate in our testing, and real-world fuel efficiency does not measure up to expectations. Plus, Infiniti saddles the engine with an unpleasant continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which contributes to overly sensitive throttle response that makes the QX50 less pleasant to drive. The QX50's overly light and disconnected steering feel further dampens the driving experience.

　　Since the second-generation QX50's introduction, Infiniti has focused on upgrading the SUV's infotainment and safety technologies and improving its value equation by trickling down features to the more affordable trim levels. That process continues for 2022, and several versions of the QX50 gain new features and standard equipment. Option packages are out, too, except for an Appearance package for the Luxe trim.

　　Dynamically, the Infiniti QX50 is the same as it was in 2019, and likely will remain that way until Infiniti transitions to an electric QX50 replacement. Getting a great deal on a 2022 Infiniti QX50 might make this SUV appealing enough to overlook its significant drawbacks. Otherwise we think you'll be happier with rivals such as the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar spent a year driving a 2019 Infiniti QX50 Essential with all-wheel drive. We found the SUV to be comfortable, technologically advanced, and roomy for cargo, but the QX50's performance left us wanting. Since that test, Infiniti has added new infotainment and safety systems to the QX50, but the fundamentals remain the same, including the powertrain. Learn more about what we thought of living with the current-generation Infiniti QX50 by reading zzdcar' long-term test of the SUV.

　　

Which QX50 does zzdcar recommend?

One of the things that makes the Infiniti QX50 appealing is its competitive price. But in the SUV's lower trim levels, affordability comes at the expense of luxury, which is the point of buying a QX50 in the first place. That will leave you in a bit of a pickle, but in general the Essential trim presents the best combination of value and upscale features.

　　

INFINITI QX50 models

The 2022 Infiniti QX50 is available in Pure, Luxe, Essential, Sensory and Autograph trim levels. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (268 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque) is standard and uses a continuously variable automatic transmission to power the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional on all trims except for the Autograph, which includes AWD as standard equipment. Feature highlights include:

　　Pure

　　Starts you off with:

　　19-inch alloy wheels LED headlights Power liftgate Keyless entry and ignition Dual-zone automatic climate control Simulated leather upholstery Power front seats with driver lumbar adjustment 8-inch upper touchscreen and 7-inch lower touchscreen Apple CarPlay (with wireless connectivity) and Android Auto smartphone integration Satellite radio Six-speaker audio systemInfiniti also equips every 2022 QX50 with these advanced driving aids:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Infiniti and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot) Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)Luxe

　　Upgrade to the Luxe model, and you'll enjoy:

　　Panoramic sunroof Aluminum roof rails LED foglights Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors Remote engine start Leather seats Heated front seatsAn Appearance package is optional with the Luxe trim and installs:

　　20-inch wheels Black and dark chrome-colored exterior styling elements Dark gray interior headlinerEssential

　　The QX50 Essential adds expected luxury features such as:

　　Adaptive steering system (adjusts the steering wheel's responsiveness to enhance low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability) Rain-sensing windshield wipers Heated, power-adjustable steering wheel Ventilated front seats Memory for the driver's settings Navigation system with traffic data 16-speaker Bose premium sound system Front parking sensors Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the QX50 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Traffic sign recognition (reads speed limit signs and provides the information to the driver)Sensory

　　The Sensory trim takes the QX50 to the next level with:

　　20-inch wheels Unique LED headlight design Hands-free liftgate Premium leather upholstery Heated rear seats Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)Autograph

　　For maximum luxury and style, choose the QX50 Autograph for its:

　　All-wheel drive Genuine wood interior trim Ambient lighting Tri-zone automatic climate control Quilted premium leather upholstery Simulated suede headliner Rear window sunshades Tow hitch

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