Infiniti QX50 chases down rivals
Strong showing in mid-size SUV field
Looking for the best vehicle money can buy? The conventional wisdom has always looked to German engineering for the best, most thought-out automobiles in the market. Their upscale appearance, motor options and comfort are certainly fit for anyone who wants to look good and have a status symbol while doing it.
Infiniti wants a piece of that market. With its redesigned QX50 — the Japanese version of German rivals BMW and MercedesBenz — only one thing is holding them back …
Packing a punch while in sport-mode, the QX50 holds its own next to the Volvo XC40, the QX50 similar in size, power and appearance. It manages a 268-hp 4-cylinder turbo engine well and outputs 280 lb.-ft. of torque.
It seems to have only one flaw; the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). We’re not a fan of the CVTs, as they tend to whine when pushed to the limit and are noticeably loud in the cabin. With the QX50, we noticed the whine and the excessive cabin noise while experiencing a hesitant/delay in acceleration. The CVTs serve as an inexpensive choice for manufacturers, since they are cheap to build. For the vehicle owner, the advantage is improved fuel efficiency. To manufacturers, this is a win-win, but really it isn’t.
The QX50 is spacious, powerful and has great lines. It offers tons of room for both the driver and the passengers while offering just enough cargo room to haul things.
Infiniti does offer a lot of bang for the buck in its ownership experience category as well. A fouryear/60,000-mile warranty, six-year/70,000 powertrain warranty, 24-hour roadside assistance and complimentary service loaner when your vehicle is in the shop. These commendable items and a standard safety package, fantastic Bose 16speaker performance audio system, as well as a great driver assistance package really offset the negatives of the CVT.
Riding on a set of 20-inch dark painted wheels, the QX50 stance is perfectly accessible for all types of owners. It’s a great overall mid-size SUV.
Nissan Motor Co. and its upscale brand Infiniti have gone through a series of changes recently, and it seems they have come out a lot better off. The QX50 is attractive, powerful, roomy and serves as a status symbol — all at a great price under $60G. Our tester, the QX50 Autograph AWD, was a head-turner and easily accommodated four of us on a golf outing to Cape Cod.
If upscale luxury midsize is your aim, Infiniti certainly deserves a noisy test drive with the QX50.