Let’s face it, this is an SUV world. Some manufacturers, like Ford, have completely abandoned the passenger car business. Others, like General Motors, are quickly going in the same direction. So, what do you do if you can’t find a sedan or coupe that really fits your lifestyle and desires? After spending a week with the 2024 Infiniti QX55 we discovered it is the SUV to buy if you don’t really want an SUV,
The Infiniti QX55 adds a more sporty, coupe-like roof to the more familiar QX50.
The Infiniti QX55 is part of the recent trend to give SUVs a fastback coupe profile. If not for a lightly raised stance and taller doors, this vehicle could have been part of the trend towards four-door grand coupes.
First introduced for the 2022 model-year, it’s the spiritual successor to the old Infiniti FX and shares virtually everything but it’s sloped roofline with the luxury brand’s current QX50.
Infiniti’s SUVs tend to have the same virtues as the brand’s passenger cars – which is to say, they’re comfortable, stylish, and offer excellent performance. So it is with the QX55. This is a vehicle you’ll be pleased to slide into every morning, and you’ll enjoy it on the road, whether that’s in commuter traffic or a lonely highway. It will seat 5 people, carry some stuff, and it’s fast.
Design
The Infiniti QX55 opts for a three-screen digital display layout.
If you’re familiar with the squared-off Infiniti QX50 you already have a good mental picture of the QX55.
From the outside, it looks a lot like every other coupe-profile SUV. It has a high beltline, fastback roof, hatch at the back, and four doors. Being an Infiniti, it looks sportier than most, and definitely not stodgy.
Inside, you get three digitial displays, including two screens on the center stack of the dash. That’s an Infiniti idiosyncracy but it works. The upper display handles navigation, audio and other infotainment duties. The lower screen is dedicated to vehicle functions, namely climate controls. And, while some folks might prefer hard buttons and knobs, this approach is far more usable than most digital systems.
A look at the 2024 Infiniti QX55 seating.
The 2024 Infiniti QX55 boasts front seats that are supportive and comfortable, and the back seat offers good back support. The coupe profile sacrifices a bit of interior space, but the rear seat is in no way a penalty box. The total interior effect is clean, modern, and premium. With the rear seats in use, you get a reasonable 26.9 cubic feet of cargo space, or 54.1 cubes with the rear seats folded down.
Powertrain
The QX55 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, like just about every other compact SUV on the planet these days. But there is one novel detail, the engine produces varying compression levels, depending upon driver demand and road needs.
With 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, the specs are not super impressive in these days of big power numbers. But the Continuously Variable Transmission makes good use of the power, and the QX55 does not suffer from the “rubber band” feeling of lagging acceleration. This CVT is well past that. Look for 0-60 times in the mid 6-second range.
The 2024 Infiniti QX55 uses a novel 2.0-liter turbocharged engine offering variable compression.
Fuel economy isn’t outstanding, at an EPA-rated 22 mpg city, 28 highway, but it’s far from the worst in its class.
With all-wheel drive as standard, the QX55 is a state-of-the-art compact SUV, and should get you anywhere a light duty AWD system should go.
More Infiniti News
- Infiniti Gambles on the New QX80 Flagship – But is it a Good Bet?
- Q&A: Infiniti’s Craig Keeys Reveals What’s Beyond the QX80
- Infiniti QE Concept Teases the Brand’s First EV
Safety and Technology
The QX55 features a broad array of standard safety and driving assistance technology,
As a premium brand family SUV, the QX55 offers a full menu of available advanced driver assistance and safety features. In the top trim, a head-up display is standard, along with a 360-degree camera system and traffic sign recognition. Standard on all trim levels is a full set of basics, including adaptive cruise, ProPILOT assisted steering, blind spot monitoring and intervention, reverse automatic braking, lane departure control, and forward emergency braking.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the QX55 generally good ratings, along with four stars from NHTSA.
As mentioned, the Infiniti InTouch system offers dual HD displays with an 8-inch upper and a 7-inch lower infotainment touchscreen. Navigation is standard on higher trims. Wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay are included, along with USB-C and USB-A ports. A 16-speaker Bose audio system is included with the higher trim levels.
Driving Impressions
There are few changes with the launch of the 2025 QX55.
As expected, the QX55 is an enjoyable drive. It’s crisp, quick, and responsive.
That’s Infiniti’s trademark – unlike some luxury SUVs, Infiniti assumes that you still enjoy driving. While it’s quiet and calming inside, if your journey takes you on a twisty mountain road, the QX55 is ready for the challenge.
This is an SUV for people who need such a vehicle, but maybe would have preferred a sport sedan.
Wrap Up
Naturally, our test vehicle was a 2024, decked out in the top Sensory trim level with all the goodies.
Infiniti is selling 2025 models now, and you can get into the base trim “Luxe” for $51,500, all fees included. The mid-grade “Essential” trim will set you back $56,450, and the top “Sensory” trim is an eve $60,000.
We’ll narrow it down and say, if you’re on a budget, the Luxe trim is perfectly good. But if you’re going to go halfway with the middle trim, you might as well go
” … if you’re on a budget, the Luxe trim is perfectly good.”
If you’re on a budget you should buy a Ford or Chevy. Even if you’re not on a budget.