2021 Infiniti QX50

With five trims and two drivetrain configurations to choose from, the QX50's asking price varies by quite a margin. The base model in FWD configuration starts with an MSRP of $37,950 in the USA, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,025, and the AWD version will cost you $2,000 more at $39,950. The Luxe starts at $41,500, and the AWD version costs $43,500. Pricing for the Essential models ranges from $44,700 in FWD guise to $46,700 for the AWD version. Closer to the top, we get the Sensory, which sells for between $50,000 and $52,000, and the range-topping Autograph will set you back $54,200 for the FWD vehicle and $56,850 for AWD. With every single option ticked, the Infiniti QX50 price will climb to around 70,000 US dollars.

While many of the best-sellers in this segment send their power to the rear wheels or a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, the QX50 uses a front-wheel-drive layout with available front-biased AWD. Opting for FWD in the luxury segment isn't always a detriment, as evidenced by the sporty Acura RDX, but Infiniti hasn't managed the same level of success found in its Japanese rival because the QX50's driving experience is anything but engaging. Infiniti offers two types of steering: a rack-electric unit on most trims or a steer-by-wire Direct Adaptive system on the top Autograph trim. Our teaser featured the rack-electric unit, which felt light and numb on the road. In our experience, Infiniti's Direct Adaptive steering isn't much better, but offers the ability to change ratios depending on speed.

The QX50 excels in ride comfort, keeping occupants happily cocooned from road imperfections with its soft suspension and well-insulated cabin. Buyers who prefer a traditional luxury experience and don't have the need to reach the top legal speed at every opportunity may enjoy the QX50's laid back demeanor. As a sign of the times, Infiniti threw in some drive modes, including standard, eco, sport, and personal, some of which can dramatically change the car's personality. Eco mode morphs the QX50 into a slug with painfully long throttle inputs while sport mode tightens the steering tremendously and tells the transmission to stay in lower ratios. Speaking of the transmission, the CVT is fine for casual use but heavy-footed drivers will likely hate the drone it emits under hard acceleration. We'd describe the overall QX50 driving experience as comfortable, but not special enough to stand out in a crowded segment.

Compact crossovers are almost always a luxury brand's best-seller, but this is not the case for the 2021 Infiniti QX50; we think we know why that is. This segment is jam-packed with stellar options. There are plenty of sporty competitors like the Acura RDX, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC, plus comfort-minded alternatives like the Audi Q5, Lincoln Corsair, and Volvo XC60. The QX50 attempts to be different with curvaceous styling, a unique engine, and massive interior space, but we just aren't sold that it's enough to stand out.

Infiniti tried to be quirky with the QX50, but we think the company went about it in the wrong way. We'd easily trade that complex VC-Turbo engine for a hybrid drivetrain that could better compete on fuel economy or a rear-wheel-drive platform that could give the QX50 a sporting edge. As it stands, the QX50 is one of the quietest, softest and most spacious vehicles in this segment, but it is let down by a complicated infotainment system, average fuel economy, and a lack of any sporting character. For these reasons and more, we would skip the QX50 and opt for its mainstream sibling, the Nissan Rogue.

Infiniti sent us the second-highest Sensory trim level to review, but we'd consider stepping down to the well-named Essential trim level because it provides most of the essential goodies at a reasonable $44,700 price ($46,700 with AWD). The only option to add is the $1,650 Convenience Package, which includes real leather, memory functions for the driver seat, mirrors, and steering wheel, a power steering column with a heated steering wheel, and reverse tilt-down mirrors. Done up reasonably, the QX50 will cost $47,375 ($49,375 with AWD). Or, for around $9,000 less, we suggest the Nissan Rogue Platinum which offers similar size (albeit with less power), a premium interior, and better available technology.

The Acura RDX offers a very similar day-to-day experience and is also targeted toward the premium end of its class. The RDX's exterior design is bolder, and some will prefer its fresh and contemporary styling over that of the more reserved QX50. Under the hood, the RDX packs a solid punch thanks to a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces a reliable 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, but it is slightly thirstier than the QX50 with a consumption figure of 22/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined in its most efficient guise. The RDX feels more athletic behind the steering wheel, but we think its chassis deserves more power. Inside, the RDX offers similar passenger space to the QX50, but the QX50 dominates in terms of cargo space. Tech levels are adequate, and the RDX offers similar driver assistance features such as road departure alert and lane-keep assist. With a starting price of $38,400, the RDX is slightly more expensive, and we feel like the QX50 offers a more luxurious experience and more practicality.

The QX60 is all about passenger space. This seven-seat midsize luxury SUV sits one step above the QX50 in Infiniti's SUV lineup and takes a more traditional approach to the premium SUV game. Besides the noticeable difference in size, these two cars share similar looks, and some could easily mistake the one for the other. That's not a bad thing. Under the hood of the QX60, you'll find a trusty 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. With its added weight and lower torque figure, the QX60 feels like the slower car, and a best fuel economy rating of only 20/27/22 mpg makes it less efficient. On the road, the QX60 makes its weight known in the corners, but it's a capable cruiser. Inside, these two cars share the same impressive build quality, and higher up in the trim levels, the QX60 feels like a proper luxury SUV. The QX60's biggest party trick is its three rows of seating. Behind the third row, it offers less cargo space than the QX50 but drop the seats flat, and it becomes an excellent cargo hauler. The QX60 starts at $44,350, which is a significant price hike, but it will be worth it for larger families.