Once known as the Infiniti EX, the QX50 has now been on sale longer with its current name than with its previous moniker, which was last used for the 2013 model year. The current iteration of this premium compact SUV offers an advanced engine and upscale interior, though some quibbles with its tech and continuously variable transmission (CVT) hold it back from true greatness compared to its closest rivals.
2024 Infiniti QX50 Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2024 Infiniti QX50
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2024 Infiniti QX50
Infiniti has added new features and made improvements to the QX50 in recent years, including adding wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in 2022 and shuffling the trim offerings in 2023. The 2024 model year is much less dramatic, bringing no notable changes to the line, but a mid-cycle refresh or more substantive update could be in the cards soon.
Design
The QX50 is a relatively sedately styled SUV, with simple, clean lines and few badges. Depending on the trim, it carries a decent number of chrome accents outside, but the only model designation on the exterior is a small badge on the rear liftgate. Infiniti offers a few wheel choices, with higher trims getting larger, more elaborate options.
Powertrain
The 2024 QX50 utilizes Infiniti’s advanced variable-compression turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s a 2.0-liter unit that makes 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The engine can shift its compression ratio to match the driving situation, depending on the need to conserve fuel or produce more power.
While it’s reasonably powerful, the engine is let down by the transmission it’s mated to, as the CVT can cause the engine to drone and make more noise than expected. Both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) are available.
Interior
Synthetic leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are standard, but higher trims get genuine or semi-aniline leather upholstery. Heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are available as well.
The front seats have a good amount of space and offer impressive padding and support, but the rear bench is nowhere near as accommodating. Taller adults may feel the pinch of limited headroom, and the seat could use more padding to remain comfortable on longer drives.
Technology
The 2024 QX50 gets a dual-screen infotainment system with an 8-inch upper display and a 7-inch lower unit. There’s also a 7-inch digital gauge cluster. While the system offers a good number of standard features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the two-screen setup can be confusing and take a while to learn.
Safety
The QX50 boasts a long list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and more.
A surround-view camera, traffic-sign recognition, a head-up display, and more are available. The QX50 did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but that’s due to it having partial crash-test results and is not an indication that it’s unsafe.
Pricing and Release Date
As of this writing, the base QX50 Pure starts at $41,000 with FWD; AWD pushes that to $43,000. The mid-range Luxe trim starts at $44,300 (again with FWD), and the top Autograph (only available with AWD) starts at $58,050.