Wider and taller than last year, the now-front-wheel-drive QX50 offers two inches of extra ground clearance and more space inside as well. 13 more cubic feet, in fact, as the trunk now delivers 31.4 total behind some very modular rear seats that both slide and recline. And don’t think the engineers at Infiniti sacrificed rear leg room to accomplish that feat. I can still fit in the back without moving my preferred driver’s seat position, and at 6’4” that’s not something I can often say, though I will admit that the panoramic sunroof brings the headliner a little close to my head for comfort.
The interior has been redesigned as well, and it’s spacious, attractive, and full of high-quality materials and a new infotainment system. Plus, it’s quiet. Very quiet. Part of that is due to a noise-cancelling system, but it’s not all down to the technological. Regardless, normal conversations at highway speeds are a breeze and a joy.
Starting with the base “Pure” trim, the QX50’s $36,550 is not a bad deal, especially considering how well equipped it comes. LED headlights, hands-free liftgate, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone auto climate controls, power front seats, and a forward-collision warning and mitigation system with auto emergency brake are all standard.
Move up to the “Luxe” trim and you’ll be treated with LED fogs to compliment the headlights, a panoramic sunroof beneath some slick roof rails, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a blind-spot monitoring system. All this justifies the $39,400 MSRP, along with available heated front seats—the only option you can get here.
I spent a week with the top-tier “Essential” trim. At an MSRP of $43,350, it’s a substantial jump from the Luxe, but the mostly technological additions certainly balance that expenditure. Here you’ll enjoy navigation, 3-zone climate controls, auto wipers, parking sensors front and rear, a 360-degree camera, heated side mirrors, and in a slight nod to luxury, actual leather seats to replace the synthetic material from the lower trims.
More importantly, this is the only trim where any coveted options can be added. Prime among them is the $7,500 Sensory package that gets you tech like heated and cooled seats, a Bose stereo, an upgraded climate-control system, adaptive LED headlights, a memory system, a power liftgate, and aesthetic enhancements like 20-inch wheels, upgraded leather, the suede trim and headliner, and open-pore wood and metallic trim. Perhaps more important are safety packages that get you some of the autonomous safety systems, and ProPilot assist—a mild autonomous system that will let the car steer, accelerate, and brake itself in a single lane. It actually works quite well, and it’s a life-saver in stop-and-go traffic that would otherwise have me pulling my hair out.
There’s also a tow package that’ll increase the rating to 3,000 pounds, and Infiniti's Premium Heat package, which adds heated front seats, a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, and driver's seat memory settings. And you can add all-wheel drive to any trim for $1,800.
My QX50 came fitted with the Sensory ($7,500), ProASSIST ($550), and ProACTIVE ($2,000) packages, as well as illuminated kick plates ($465), and some puddle lamps ($425). With a destination charge of $995, the walkaway price for my test vehicle came to $55,285.