2021 Infiniti QX50

Nissan’s luxury sub-brand sells stylish vehicles that deliver mixed results. Fit and finish is usually good, especially in the quiet, luxurious interiors. But Infiniti often falls short of competitors in fuel economy and handling. Some of its vehicles also score low in our owner satisfaction surveys, and most new models scored average for predicted reliability. New vehicles come standard with a full suite of active safety and driver assist systems. The brand’s lowest-priced option is a two-row compact SUV with a variable compression engine that attempts to deliver both fuel economy and sporty performance. The brand’s larger midsized, three-row SUV is roomy and quiet, with competitive fuel economy and quick acceleration. The largest Infiniti is a large three-row, high-end SUV that competes against Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz. With options, its price can cross $100,000. Among Infiniti’s discontinued vehicles, some sedans and coupes can be recommended among used luxury cars.

The redesigned Infiniti QX50 is powered by a 268-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission. The variable-compression engine is supposed to deliver the power of a V6 and the fuel economy of a four-cylinder. But while acceleration is competitive, we got just 22 mpg overall in our AWD test car. The fit and finish of the interior is impressive and the cabin is quiet and roomy. The QX50 has lackluster, but secure, handling. We found the ride to be mostly calm, but some impacts are stiffer than expected. The convoluted controls are very confusing and distracting. Infiniti's optional ProPilot Assist feature can keep the QX in its lane and maintain and adjust speed according to traffic which can be a convenience in stop and go driving. Standard safety features include forward collision warning, blind spot warning, and lane keeping assist. Updates for 2021 include standard heated front seats for most trim lines. Changes for 2022 include a number of interior and exterior styling updates, as well as standard wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility. All models also come standard with ProPilot Assist, which includes blind spot intervention, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure prevention. For 2025, AWD is standard on all trims.