2024 Infiniti QX55 51.195 $

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23 Jan 2024

Overview

The QX55 is a sleeker version of the compact QX50 with a bolder style, standard all-wheel drive, and a tighter back seat but it costs nearly $10,000 more. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and continuously variable automatic transmission don't deliver much on the promise of both power and fuel economy that Infiniti had touted when this unique variable compression engine launched. Handling is eager and the ride is composed, the latter of which makes the QX55 a pleasant highway commuter. But direct competitors such as the Audi Q5 Sportback, BMW X4, and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe all are better athletes and offer better interior tech. Other compact luxury SUVs such as the Acura RDX, the Genesis GV70, and the Volvo XC60 are roomier, cheaper, and similarly stylish, but lack the QX55's rakish fastback design. Soon, Infiniti will have two crossover coupes in its stable, as it has announced it is readying a mid-size QX65.

What's New for 2024?

Infiniti swapped the leather-covered shift knob for the flat, rectangular plastic shifter found in the larger QX60. The sliding plastic cover on the center console is gone, so now the cupholders and wireless phone charger—which is now standard—are exposed. A new chrome 20-inch wheel design is optional. Slate Gray exterior paint is no longer available on the Luxe and Essential trims and Mineral Black is no longer on the Sensory. A rear door alert that warns drivers to check the back seat is now standard and the base Luxe adds memory for the driver's seat and mirrors plus a reverse-dip function for both mirrors as standard.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The price of the 2024 Infiniti QX55 starts at $51.195 and goes up to $59.695 depending on the trim and options.
The QX55 is offered in three trims: base Luxe, midrange Essential, and loaded Sensory. Of those, the Essential trim provides the best value by offering popular tech and luxury features at a reasonable price. It comes standard with in-dash navigation, a 360-degree exterior camera system, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 16-speaker Bose stereo system.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The QX55 is powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the QX50. Dubbed the VC-Turbo, it features a complex variable-compression system, produces 268 horsepower, and is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. Our long-term QX50 test vehicle managed a 6.4-second run to 60 mph and proved to be a comfortable-riding SUV with capable but not-quite-athletic handling. Our initial test drive of the QX55 served to confirm our belief that it performs nearly identically to the QX50. Handling isn't quite as athletic as key rivals from Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz, but the ride is smooth enough for quiet commuting.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA says the QX55 is good for only 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, and its sibling—the QX50—has not proven itself particularly economical in our testing. Despite its high-tech variable-compression engine, the QX50 delivered a ho-hum 27 mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route. For more information about the QX55's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

A stylish and well-equipped cabin is mostly a carryover from the QX50, but rather than utilize that model's quilted leather upholstery, Infiniti's designers have opted for a simpler look. Luxe and Essential trims come standard with leather upholstery while the Sensory has softer semi-aniline leather. On the Sensory, the black-stained, open-pore maple wood trim and a contrasting band of faux-leather upholstery running from the console to the center stack are fine accents to a handsome interior design. However, the many Nissan-sourced buttons, screens, and switches are off-putting in all trims. The sloping roofline reduces rear headroom by 1.5 inches; cargo space is less generous than in the QX50, which accommodated nine of our carry-on suitcases behind its second row of seats.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Infiniti uses a dual-screen infotainment setup with the top display providing navigation and a lower touchscreen serving radio, media, and vehicle settings. Since the top screen is low resolution and controlled only by the console dial, it makes the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto very difficult to use (and only iPhones can connect wirelessly). A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is standard across all trims, and a Bose stereo system is standard on both the Essential and Sensory models.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Infiniti offers a suite of driver-assistance features as standard, and the company's ProPilot Assist lane-centering driver-assistance tech is standard. For more information about the QX55's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
Standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

As with all Infinitis, the QX55 comes with a comprehensive warranty package as standard, with a powertrain policy that's longer than rivals such as the Porsche Macan and the Volvo XC60. Complimentary scheduled maintenance is included for three years or 22,500 miles.