Tuesday, 19 March 2024

2022 Infiniti QX55 is a sleek, coupe-style luxury crossover Featured

Posted On Saturday, 23 July 2022 22:10 Written by
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The brand new 2022 Infiniti QX55 features a sleek coupe-like design The brand new 2022 Infiniti QX55 features a sleek coupe-like design Photo courtesy of Infiniti

In the world of luxury crossovers, one of the growing sectors is coupe-style designs that aim to offer a slick look while maintaining practicality.

Infiniti is one of the luxury crossover brands fighting for buyers in this segment — debuting its QX55 model for the 2022 model year and battling against other coupe-style SUVs from brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Genesis.

This model has its origins going back to the long-time Infiniti FX model, which had its run from the early 2000s to 2017, and shares many interior, powertrain and suspension elements with Infiniti’s QX50 SUV, but offers an improved exterior design.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of the 2022 QX55, and I’m back with a full report on how it stacks up to its luxury rivals.

LOOKS

The sharp exterior design on the QX55 features a sloping roofline and a more sleek look than Infiniti’s more traditional QX50 crossover. This is a design improvement, but you lose about 11 feet of cargo space.

The QX55 features a bold front grille design that stands out in the segment, and also features a panoramic moonroof and 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. It looks classy but not overly ostentatious, and includes LED lighting, roof rails, and a power rear liftgate.

Inside the QX55, cargo space is limited at 26.9 cubic feet with the seats up, 54.1 cubic feet with the rear seats down. But in the two rows, you’ll find plenty of leg and head room for all five passengers.

As this is a luxury ride, high-quality materials can be found in the seating and  throughout the cabin. Controls are also well-designed on the wheel and in the center console.

Interior highlights include leather-appointed seating, dark aluminum interior trim accents, power tilt and telescopic steering column, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, climate-controlled front seats, plus memory settings for seat, mirrors and steering wheel. 


HOW’S THE RIDE?

The 2022 Infiniti QX55 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 268 horsepower, and 280 pound-feet of torque.

This is paired with an CVT automatic transmission, and all QX55 models come with all-wheel drive. If you want to control the gears, paddle shifters are included.

While the QX55 does not offer the most powerful ride in its class, it’s still a very peppy experience. Zero-to-60 times are just over 60 seconds.

Depending on your road conditions, drive modes available are Eco, Standard, Sport and Personal.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time behind the wheel of the QX55, which offers one of the smoothest overall rides in the luxury crossover segment. It handles great, turns like a charm, and braking is instant. My only complaint is that the engine is a bit louder than I would have liked at idle.

On the plus side, it’s designed with active noise cancellation to limit outside noise. And it comes with a Hill Start Assist feature.


TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

A clean, two-screen setup (the Infiniti InTouch Dual HD display) on the infotainment system works very well. It features maps on top and audio and other controls below. Both touch and voice commands are quite easy to learn.

The simple design of the tech setup stands out in a good way, compared with some rivals’ overly complicated tech setups. There’s also a handy button for changing camera angles around the car, which helps in parking situations.

Other technology in the QX55 includes: Rain-sensing front windshield wipers, remote start, navigation with MapCare and premium traffic, Bose 16-speaker performance series audio, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety is another strong point on the Infiniti lineup, including the QX55. The highlight is the optional ProPilot Assist feature, which is Infiniti’s semi-autonomous driving mode and will handle steering for you and keep you in your lane.

Other safety features include: Forward-collision warning, front and rear automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The Pro Assist Package option includes: LED headlights, adaptive front lighting system, Intelligent Cruise Control, Distance Control Assist, and Lane Departure Intervention.

MPG 

Fuel mileage numbers in the QX55 are officially listed at 22 city//28 highway/25 combined. During my time testing the QX55, I averaged 22 mpg.

These are excellent numbers for the segment, beating most competitors, and another reason buyers may choose the QX55.
  

PRICE 

The 2022 Infiniti QX55 that I tested, an Essential trim level, was priced just over $53K. Base price for the QX55 is around $47K, and the higher-end Sensory trim level starts at $58K. The Sensory comes fully loaded, but most people will be happy splitting the difference and choosing the very strong Essential trim.

Warranties are also a strong point, including an overall limited warranty for 4 years/60,000 miles, and a powertrain warranty for 6 years/70,000 miles.

BOTTOM LINE

Luxury buyers seeking a sleekly designed, smooth-riding and tech-savvy compact crossover have a excellent option available to them with the 2022 Infiniti QX55. 

While not as powerful as some rivals, it remains a very complete package and stacks up quite well vs. its luxury rivals in the coupe-style crossover segment.

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AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews. Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu

 

Additional Info

  • Vehicle: 2022 Infiniti QX55
  • Price as tested: $53,425 (starts around $47K)
  • Best feature: Sleek design, smooth ride, classy interior
  • Rating: 4 out of five stars
  • Who will want this vehicle?: Luxury buyers seeking a classy crossover with a sharp look
Matt M. Myftiu

Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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