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2016 Infiniti QX50

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2016 Infiniti QX50
The 2016 Infiniti QX50 luxury crossover provides a unique combination of a right-sized exterior with a luxurious interior environment and suite of advanced technology features.

Time has finally caught up with the Infiniti QX50; car-like crossovers are now much more popular than the more old fashioned body-on-frame SUVs that dominated when it first arrived as the EX35 in 2007. A recent freshening sees new front and rear fascias and wheels, and a 3.2-inch stretch in wheelbase that makes it not only more sleeker outside as well as well as more accommodating to rear seat occupants. Prior, this area was only habitable by the most compact people.

There are some areas though, in which time hasn’t been kind to this great machine, most especially in its infotainment interface and some of its safety systems. The former is not very large or able to work with the latest smart devices well, and the latter, which are prone to false alarms. But in many other ways the QX50’s relative age is on its side. Its interior is very well screwed together, and it doesn’t seem to suffer from the rampant cost-cutting of many newer, so-called “premium” vehicles. It also has actual steering feedback, a legacy of its older, G37x-based underpinnings. This seems almost revelatory in these days of mute electric power assist setups. Infiniti seems to have worked on refining the vintage 325hp VQ-series six cylinder, which is now fairly smooth and sounds racy; likewise the seven speed auto’s shifts are smoother and better timed, meaning the QX50’s fairly prodigious turn of speed can be accessed without penalty. The chassis too is wonderfully composed, combining good ride quality with tied-down body motions, partially a result of the Infiniti having a lower center of gravity and hence being able to use softer springing.

It will be nice if the QX50 has a strong second act; the EX35, despite its shortcomings, was a very pleasing, reliable and strong running crossover, always deserving of more attention than its modest sales figures demonstrated.

More info: http://www.infinitiusa.com/crossover/qx50

2016 Infiniti QX50 interior

Isaac Bouchard is owner of Bespoke Autos, an auto brokerage that helps people save time, money and hassle when buying or leasing vehicles. Since 1991 he has helped his clients save over $1 million dollars. He has written extensively about getting the best deal possible when buying or leasing a vehicle, arranging financing or trading in a car. Isaac has been a professional automotive journalist as well for over 12 years, having reviewed most all types of car, truck and SUV.

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