First Drive Review: All-New INFINITI QX55 Sensory AWD

When the INFINITI brand was first introduced to the North America buying public in November of 1989, it did so as a luxury vehicle brand under the umbrella of the Nissan Corporation. In the early 2000's, INFINITI made the decision to no longer be considered a grocery getter luxury vehicle brand, but a high powered luxury sport brand that would compete on a world scale. The bold new direction envisioned by the INFINITI leadership, lead to the redesigned INFINITI Q45 in 2002 and the G35 for 2003. The G35 was so well received, it won Motor Trend's Car of the Year for 2003.

What do a couple of sports-luxury sedans designed in the early 2000's have to do with the all new 2022 QX55 crossover? Well the genesis for the 2022 QX55 is found in the 2003 G35 sport-coupe as well as the first generation and highly successful FX crossover that was also designed at the same time of the G35. The INFINITI engineers that were tasked with the new QX55 design not only utilized many of the G35 sport-coupe's award winning concepts and components, but they also borrowed from the FX's successful foundation as well. The first generation FX crossover was designed for an American demographic that expected exceptional sports car handling in both dry and wet conditions. It also had to have sports car speed and performance with hauling versatility similar to the FX crossover. Today's all new QX55 returns to the soul of those early 2000 sports luxury vehicles, but also adds all the updated safety features the buying public expect in todays new models.

We're looking forward to a new era for the brand, with an equal emphasis on excitement and total customer satisfaction ... that begins with the daring new QX55 soon, the breathtaking QX60 after, and plenty more to come.

Peyman Kargar, INFINITI Chairman

Three Grade Levels

When you sit in the new QX55 you will experience a bold interior design that is the traditional high end style and comfort the INFINITI brand is known for. You will also see a driver focused cabin design that is asymmetrical in nature and very intuitive and convenient to navigate. The QX55 will come in three distinct grade levels, Luxe, Essential and Sensory. You would think the QX's coupe like sloping lines that pay homage to the legendary FX of yesteryears would be head and legroom problem for second-row riders, but that is not the case. There is 26.9 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear which is tops among crossover competitors. There is also 38.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and a sliding second row that maximizes passenger comfort or cargo capacity depending on the need.

The trim package with my press loan for the week was the Sensory package with natural maple open-pore wood trim paired with the Monaco red/graphite semi-aniline leather-appointed seats. The package also comes with the Bose Performance Series audio system which has 16 speakers for a great audio experience. The audio system also has Bose's Centerpoint 2 technology that automatically converts any two-channel stereo sound into a virtual surround sound experience. The week I had the QX I did a 5 hour round trip to East Texas, so it gave me a chance to really experience and understand firsthand how the asymmetrical interior configuration and the 16 speaker Bose system can provide a great long range driving experience.

Power Plant

The QX55 is the only coupe crossover that will come with INFINITI's innovative and ground-breaking new VC-Turbo engine. It is the world's first production variable compression (VC) ratio engine. What makes this engine so unique, it does not compromise performance for the sake of miles per gallon efficiency. It has the ability to seamlessly alter the internal compression ratio required, between 8:1 and 14:1, on the fly to deliver gas saving efficiency or immediate power as the driver demands. Because this is a ground breaking way to design an engine, it was in R&D development for over twenty years before it was made available to the public. It is being reported there were over 100 engine prototypes developed that spent over 30,000 hours on test beds and were driven over 1.8 million miles.

Variable compression ratio technology represents a breakthrough in powertrain development. The QX50, powered by our VC-Turbo, is the first production vehicle ever to give drivers an engine that transforms on demand, setting a new benchmark for powertrain capability and refinement. This uncommonly smooth engine offers customers power and performance, as well as efficiency and economy.

Christian Meunier, INFINITI Global Division Vice President

What does all that mean to the owner of a QX55? They will be driving an award-winning powertrain designed to deliver precise control and response without sacrificing efficiency or capability. This 2.0-liter four-cylinder VC-Turbo engine will create 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The official EPA rating is 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for a combined 25 mpg. My highway/Interstate MPG was closer to 28+.

Safety

All three of the trim levels will come equipped with Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Rear Automatic Braking, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Intelligent Cruise Control, Distance Control Assist, Blind Spot Intervention, and Lane Departure Prevention are available to add to the already impressive suite of standard active safety features. The QX55 also comes with the ProPILOT Assist system that can help brake, center the vehicle in its lane, and accelerate. It is a hands-on driver assist system that combines Intelligent Cruise Control and Steering Assist technologies and includes a stop and hold function that can bring the vehicle to a full stop, hold in place and can bring you back up to speed when traffic starts moving again.

Let it be known that I'm not a big fan of the whole crossover crave, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many heads this crossover turned; I'm assuming like it did when it first hit the streets two decades ago. There is a lot to like about this bold new QX55 with its iconic FX foundation. It has the heart of a luxury crossover, but the soul of a performance sports coupe. What more could you ask for? The 2022 model has been available on dealer lots since April with a base line price of $46,500. Go drive one and see if it makes turns heads too.

Learn More

For more information or to test drive this vehicle for yourself, stop by a local dealer or visit online at:
INFINITI | QX55

About INFINITI

INFINITI Motor Company is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan with operations around the world including regional offices based in the Americas, China and INFINITI International Markets based in Dubai. The INFINITI brand of premium automobiles are assembled in manufacturing facilities in Japan, North America and China. INFINITI design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego, and Beijing. More information about INFINITI and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.INFINITIUSA.com. You can also follow INFINITI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and see all of our latest videos on YouTube.