2022 Infiniti QX50 Review: The Gucci Of Cushy

The Infiniti QX50 returns in 2022 with a few handy updates and the same level of quality and comfort that we've grown accustomed to over the years. The QX50 might not look like the most exciting thing on four wheels, and it won't thrill the senses behind the steering wheel, but its comfy nature will appeal to many. With 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque being sent to the front or all four wheels via a high-tech 2.0-liter turbo engine, the QX50 offers enough urge for the daily grind and has a long standard feature list from the base model up. Competitors such as the BMW X3 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio might be cooler and more fun to drive, but the QX50 is comfier and offers tons of cargo space. In this review of the Infiniti QX50, we dive deeper into what makes this premium SUV tick, and why you should consider buying one.

What's the Price of the 2022 Infiniti QX50?

The 2022 Infiniti QX50's price is impressive when compared to its competitors. The base model starts with an MSRP of $39,150. It's followed by the Luxe at $42,500, the Essential at $46,950, and the Sensory at $51,650. All these trims can be upgraded to AWD for an extra $2,000. The range-topping Autograph already has AWD as standard and starts at $57,100. These prices do not include tax, registration, or a destination fee of $1,025.

The base BMW X3 will cost nearly $4,000 more, and the Acura RDX starts at a more expensive $40,600. With such an aggressive pricing strategy, Infiniti is sure to win over some clients.

2022 QX50 Exterior

Dimensions

2022 QX50 Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

All-wheel drive has nearly completed its takeover of the luxury SUV class, but there are still a few holdouts that offer FWD, and we don't think that's such a bad thing. The QX50, along with competitors such as the Acura RDX, will never be thrown around Laguna Seca, so why bother with torque-vectoring rear differentials and drift modes? The QX50 has been designed to offer maximum comfort, and it does it pretty damn well. FWD models offer little steering feedback but feel accurate enough, and the FWD-biased AWD Autograph features a steer-by-wire Direct Adaptive system does little to improve the inherent numbness of the steering but does have the ability to change steering ratios to suit different speeds and driving styles. The QX50 is best at offering a plush and disconnected driving experience that coddles its occupants instead of thrilling them. Infiniti allows the driver to switch between Eco, Sport, and Personal modes, but we'd suggest sticking it in Eco and enjoying the plush life.

2022 QX50 Interior

2022 QX50 Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2022 Infiniti QX50 A Good SUV?

To stand out in the compact luxury crossover segment takes a seriously impressive product, and we're not convinced that the 2022 Infiniti QX50 is a standout vehicle. The exterior styling is handsome but doesn't grab one's attention quite like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and its front-wheel-drive bias doesn't lend itself to driver enjoyment and engagement quite as the BMW X3 does. The QX50 is also let down by a particularly incompetent infotainment system, which is a crucial touchpoint in any car in this day and age. The variable-compression engine sounds good on paper but fails to deliver in the real world, and we think Infiniti would have been better off sticking with a conventional setup or even a hybrid powertrain. What it does manage to do well is offer a supremely plush ride that isolates the occupants from the outside world, its standard feature list is impressive, and it provides a ton of space. These are all good things, but we're not sure if it's enough to lure buyers away from the competition.

What Infiniti QX50 Model Should I Buy?

The QX50 is an FWD-biased SUV that does not seek to thrill but aims to coddle, and for that reason, we'd suggest you go, at the very least, with the Essential trim. This mid-range trim shares its variable compression 2.0-liter engine with the rest of the range but feels significantly more premium than the Pure and Luxe, thanks to some neat additions to the feature list such as climate-controlled front seats, a surround-view monitor, a 16-speaker Bose sound system, and traffic sign recognition. The Essential starts at $46,950 for the FWD model and tops out at $48,950 for the AWD version.

2022 Infiniti QX50 Comparisons

2022 Infiniti QX50 vs Acura RDX

The Acura RDX is a bolder car in terms of styling and on-road dynamics. The exterior looks fresh and will appeal to a younger customer base. The same can be said for the interior styling, which looks more contemporary but matches the QX50 for quality. Under the hood, the RDX packs a 272-hp punch and is more enjoyable to drive than the QX50. The RDX will consume 22/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined in its most efficient configuration. The RDX offers tons of passenger space, but the QX50 is the vehicle to go for if you're after lots of cargo space. The RDX is slightly more expensive in base guise and a pleasure to drive, but the Infiniti offers more luxury at a lower price.

2022 Infiniti QX50 vs Infiniti QX60

Infiniti's mature (some will call it bland) exterior design language will have many thinking that these are the same cars, but the QX60 sits one rank above the QX50 in the Infiniti SUV lineup and is classified as a seven-seater midsize SUV, and that description should tell you all you need to know: it's larger in comparison to the QX50, and can carry more people. The QX60 doesn't bother with the variable compression engine found in the QX50 but opts for a more traditional 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Being heavier than the QX50 and with a thirsty naturally-aspirated V6 under the hood, the QX60 will manage only 21/26/23 mpg with FWD. The QX60 is just as comfortable to drive and is equally well-equipped. The only thing that will persuade a new buyer to go for the QX60 will be the third-row seating. The choice is yours.