Used 2015 INFINITI QX50

Infiniti’s smallest luxury SUV, the 2015 QX50, may be getting on in years, but it certainly doesn’t look it. The shapely skin is still alluring and the QX50’s interior remains one of our favorites, ornate and detailed with rich colors and loads of technological toys. The QX50 is also remarkably agile, although its ride can be a bit rough over uneven surfaces (blame the big wheel/tire combo). Infiniti provides a powerful 325-horsepower V6 as the QX50’s sole powerplant. This engine delivers good performance, but only average fuel economy, a sharp contrast to the more fuel-efficient – yet less powerful – turbocharged 4-cylinder engines found in the Audi Q5, BMW X1 and Acura RDX. Traction-enhancing all-wheel drive (AWD) is available.

Because it shares the same underpinnings and suspension as the G Sedan, the 2015 Infiniti QX50 rides and drives very much like a high-end sports car. Its 3.7-liter V6 is as smooth and responsive as any we’ve tested and the standard 7-speed automatic transmission delivers seamlessly smooth gearchanges. This transmission also features an advanced downshift-rev-matching feature that assures smooth downshifts and improved stability, but it isn’t as precise as some competitors when it comes to more aggressive driving. The QX50’s sport-tuned suspension allows it to round curves with confidence, but overall ride quality is more jarring than in a Lexus RX or Audi Q5. Off-the-line acceleration, on the other hand, is first-rate, and there is ample passing power as well. Opt for the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system and you’ll find the 2015 QX50 a competent year-round ally.

The 2015 QX50 is certainly not Infiniti’s top-of-the-line SUV, but you wouldn’t know it from a glance at the interior. Everything about it says first-class. The seats are covered in rich leather. There is a wealth of advanced electronic features. The control functions show that very careful attention has been given to their operation. Where the QX50 falls short, however, is in its relatively small interior volume. Rear-seat legroom is somewhat cramped and the available cargo space is on the small side compared to others in this segment. But if the size is sufficient for your needs, you’re home free.

The tidy-sized 2015 Infiniti QX50 luxury-crossover SUV makes a noticeable visual statement. There are curves everywhere, and headlights and taillights that wrap around the corners. The proportions are much like a station wagon, yet the standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and elevated ride height confirm that the QX50 is indeed an SUV. Available 19-inch alloy wheels enhance the QX50’s sporty side, as do the dual chrome-tipped exhaust outlets and the rear spoiler.

LUXURIOUS INTERIOR
The 2015 Infiniti QX50 crossover SUV has an interior that puts the “luxury” in luxury SUV. With its stunning design, acute attention to detail and excellent build quality, the QX50 makes its owners feel special every time they get inside.

INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL
As highways become more and more congested, conventional cruise control systems become more burdensome than beneficial. Enter the QX50’s available Intelligent Cruise Control. The system maintains a preset distance to upcoming traffic and can even bring the car to complete stop if necessary.

The base 2015 Infiniti QX50 rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and all-wheel-drive models feature standard leather seating surfaces, keyless entry and start, 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera and a 7-inch color dash-mounted display. Standard audio equipment includes SiriusXM Satellite Radio and a USB port for portable music players. AWD models gain heated front seats. Opting for the Journey trim adds a power tilt/slide moonroof, Bluetooth, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel and heated front seats (RWD only). All trims include six airbags and a full complement of electronic active safety aides.

Most of the technological items available for the 2015 Infiniti QX50 SUV are bundled into packages available only on upper-trim Journey models. The Lane Departure Prevention System that alerts drivers of an unintentional lane change and Infiniti’s Intelligent Cruise Control are available as part of the Technology Package, while the nifty 360-degree Around View Monitor is grouped with the 11-speaker Bose premium audio system and hard-drive-based navigation in the Premium Package. Finally, the Deluxe Touring Package adds an 8-way power passenger’s seat, driver’s-seat power lumbar support, reverse tilt-down outside mirrors, 19-inch wheels, adaptive HID headlights and power-folding rear seats.

Infiniti’s 2015 QX50 luxury-crossover SUV has a 3.7-liter V6 engine that is smooth, quick and responsive, and develops a driver-pleasing 325 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is a 7-speed automatic with a manual shift mode and downshift rev-matching capability, so if the driver decides to shift it manually the resulting downshifts will be smooth and almost unnoticed. The QX50 is EPA-rated at 17-mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway for the rear-drive version, and 17/city, 24/highway with all-wheel drive.

3.7-liter V6
325 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
267 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 mpg (RWD), 17/24 mpg (AWD)