2022 INFINITI QX55 Review | Pricing, Trims & Photos (2024)

The Infiniti QX55 is an all-new model this year. It has an elegant coupe-like design with the cargo and passenger room of an SUV. The attractive interior and well-appointed cabin live up to Infiniti's reputation for luxury. The QX55 is a five-passenger vehicle, but the rear seats are tight for three adults. The infotainment system provides all the latest features, but the dual-screen display feels awkward. One large screen would have been better. The QX55 features standard all-wheel drive and a powerful 268-horsepower engine, but its continuously variable automatic transmission delivers uneven acceleration.

The Acura RDX isn't as visually striking as the Infiniti, but it does have an equally luxurious interior and better performance. The Audi Q5 also combines luxury with performance and offers a plug-in hybrid model. The Volvo XC60 provides a more refined luxury experience and a choice of gas or plug-in hybrid engines.

Positives

Sleek exterior styling. Substantial cargo room. Smooth ride.

Considerations

Infotainment feels dated. Unrefined shifts under heavy acceleration.

Verdict

The QX55 is an all-new model in the Infiniti lineup. It has the sleek lines of a coupe, but the versatility of an SUV with a luxurious, welcoming interior.

The Infiniti QX55 is available in three trim levels: Luxe, Essential, and Sensory. Luxe is the most popular trim, which is our pick, too. We'll explain why.

Luxe

The entry-level Luxe starts at $47,525 (including a $1,025 destination fee). Standard features include 20-inch wheels, a moonroof, a power liftgate, synthetic leather seats, heated eight-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch upper infotainment touchscreen, a 7-inch lower infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Other features include lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and high-beam assist. There are no option packages.

Even though it's the base trim, the Luxe comes well-equipped, which is why it's our pick of the lineup. Luxury materials and good standard safety features mean you don't have to move to a higher trim level for a premium experience.

Essential

The Essential ($52,625) adds a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, heated outside mirrors, leather seats, ventilated front seats, navigation, a 16-speaker Bose premium audio system, around-view monitor with moving object detection, front and rear sonar, and rain-sensing wipers. Options include a head-up display, adaptive front lights, distance-control assist, intelligent cruise control, blind-spot intervention, lane-departure prevention, traffic sign recognition, and direct adaptive steering.

Sensory

The Sensory ($58,075) adds unique cube-design headlights, adaptive front lighting, a motion-activated liftgate, premium leather seats, black open-pore wood interior accents, tri-zone automatic climate control, extended ambient lighting, a head-up display, lane-departure prevention, steering assist, distance-control assist, blind-spot intervention, and traffic sign recognition. No option packages are available for the Sensory.

The Infiniti QX55 has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 268 horsepower paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. It's a potent combination that easily delivers enough power for highway passing. However, the delivery of that power isn't always smooth, especially under heavy acceleration. The ride is refined, in keeping with Infiniti's luxury image. Road and wind noise are muted, and handling is crisp and responsive. The QX55 is not a high-performance SUV, however, so don't expect overly aggressive acceleration.

Comparatively, the Acura RDX has a higher horsepower rating and a more engaging performance-focused drive. The entry-level Audi Q5 has slightly less horsepower but offers a plug-in hybrid with stronger performance. The Volvo XC60 has several powerful engine options, including a plug-in hybrid.

When it comes to interior quality, the Infiniti QX55 knows its place. It delivers a luxurious and comfortable passenger experience, especially in its top trim. There are high-quality accents with available premium leather and wood finishes. It looks and feels like a luxury car. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, making it a good choice for longer drives. Rear seats have space for three, but it's a tight squeeze for more than two adults. The sloping roofline could also pose a challenge for tall rear passengers. Conversation is easy inside the QX55, with minimal wind noise. There's plenty of room for luggage and large personal items with 26.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 54.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. A low load floor makes it easy to stow heavy cargo, and the available motion-activated liftgate is easy to operate when your hands are full.

The Acura RDX has a larger cargo hold than the QX55, with more headroom for rear passengers. The Audi Q5 provides a plusher interior with a bit more rear passenger space. The Volvo XC60 has an impressive 63.3 cubic feet of cargo area, and a clean, refined interior design.

Standard infotainment for the Infiniti QX55 includes an 8-inch upper touchscreen and 7-inch lower touchscreen. There's also wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, a six-speaker audio, USB A and USB C ports for front and rear passengers, Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, and SiriusXM. Optional features include a 16-speaker Bose audio system and navigation. There's no optional larger screen, only the dual-screen setup. It's easy to use with key standard features, but the division of functions between the two screens isn't ideal. The upgraded audio provides high-quality sound, and the abundance of USB ports ensures everyone stays connected.

The Acura RDX has better audio options than the QX55 and a standard 10.2-inch screen, but uses a touchpad controller that is tricky to master. The Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 both have larger touchscreens and better audio options.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has only completed some of its range of crash tests for the Infiniti QX5, which received a top rating of five stars in the frontal crash test. The Infiniti QX55 has not yet been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS.

Standard features include lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and high-beam assist. Optional safety features include lane-departure prevention, steering assist, distance control assist, blind-spot intervention, intelligent cruise control with full speed range, and traffic sign recognition.

The Infiniti QX55 is a great addition to the Infiniti lineup. It has room for five passengers with sleek styling that looks more like a sporty coupe than a bulky SUV. The interior is beautiful, with rich materials even in the base model. The ride is smooth and relaxing, and there's a wide range of standard safety features. The engine is powerful, although acceleration isn't always smooth, and it earns good fuel economy ratings for a vehicle of its size. There's also a fully featured infotainment system with smartphone connectivity to help reduce driver distraction. The Acura RDX is a sportier choice with a lower starting price, and the Audi Q5 delivers a higher level of luxury along with an optional plug-in hybrid engine. The Volvo XC60 takes a more elegant approach and offers a plug-in hybrid model, but its top trims are pricey. Those who want a well-equipped luxury SUV with good power and a roomy interior will find the Infiniti QX55 a compelling choice.

INFINITI QX55 vs. Acura RDX

INFINITI QX55 vs. Audi Q5

INFINITI QX55 vs. Volvo XC60

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