Used 2021 INFINITI QX50

The 2021 Infiniti QX50 is a 5-seater luxury crossover with sleek styling and advanced engineering. Pitted against the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and other luxury compact SUVs, the QX50 marks out its territory with a long list of standard driver assistance features, an ingenious variable-compression engine, and a wide range of trims allowing buyers plenty of scope for personalization.

From a performance perspective, straight-line acceleration and a well-controlled chassis put the QX50 in the same league as the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. And the ProPilot Assist system (which now comes in at the Luxe trim level) is the closest thing yet to autonomous driving.

This year, a lot of features that were standard in the higher trims shift down a level or two. The base Pure trim gains wi-fi, laminated front-side window glass, rear side airbags, automatic collision notification, and emergency calling. And the next-up Luxe trim now comes with the ProPilot Assist function that enables partially autonomous driving.

The QX50 is tailored for efficiency and practicality. Like most rivals, it deploys front-wheel drive as standard. This makes it feel less sporty than driving enthusiasts would like, but less prone to sliding on slippery roads. The optional all-wheel-drive system is great for citizens of the Snow Belt and optimum traction in the dry.

For all its high-tech ability to change compression ratios to suit power or efficiency needs, the VC-T 4-cylinder engine feels similar to other turbocharged 4-cylinder units, with occasional lag under hard acceleration, but ample muscle otherwise. Its 268 horsepower is more than enough for competent acceleration.

Drivers serious about fuel economy can set the drive mode selector to Eco mode, but it has an irritating tendency to add resistance to the accelerator pedal.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) isn’t our favorite choice. On the daily commute, drivers may not notice (or care) that there are no set gears. But when driving the QX50 aggressively, the transmission drones. The electric steering setup is also overly light and insufficiently tactile to please an enthusiast.

One area where the QX50 does excel is safety and technology, primarily the ProPilot driver assistance system, which we highlight below.

Aesthetically, the QX’s interior is arguably handsome for the most part. Although the gear selector is stubby, and putting the transmission into Park means depressing the P button below it. There’s no flow to the movement.

The dual touchscreens for infotainment and climate control can be a bit slow to respond and have an almost aftermarket look that’s not as polished or integrated as similar systems in Audi and BMW cars. On the upside, there are plenty of physical knobs for volume, tuning, temperature, and fan speed.

From a packaging perspective, the 2021 Infiniti QX50 outshines a number of rivals with a spacious interior that includes a generous cargo bay. Rear passengers have 38.7 inches of legroom in which to stretch out.

Fold the back seats down, and the QX50 has up to 65.1 cubic feet of cargo volume, near the class best.

There’s certainly a visual pop to the 2021 QX50. The curved hood and boomerang-like chrome treatment of the rear pillar are especially distinctive. Up front, the honeycomb grille is big and proud, with an Infiniti badge floating in the center. The QX50 also has decent ground clearance: 8.6 inches.

Buyers wanting roof rails and a panoramic moonroof will have to stretch to the Luxe trim. The lower three trims have 19-inch alloy wheels, the upper two have 20-inchers. The new Appearance package for the Luxe trim also includes 20-inch wheels finished in black, plus dark chrome or black exterior elements.

ProPilot ASSIST
By linking the adaptive cruise control with the electric power steering, Infiniti’s ProPilot Assist is able to accelerate, brake, and even steer the QX50 under certain circumstances. The driver must keep his or her hands on the wheel at all times, but in the grind of stop-go traffic, ProPilot is like having a virtual chauffeur.

PREMIUM WHITE LEATHER PACKAGE
The QX50 is most definitely a luxury crossover, which is why the White Leather Package offered for the Autograph trim is such a wonderful choice. Quilted white leather upholstery with contrasting side inserts and stitching are complemented by blue simulated suede inserts on the doors, upper dash, and center console lid, along with a brown simulated suede headliner.

As well as the extra features mentioned in our overview above, the entry-level 2021 QX50 Pure trim also comes with a powered tailgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, slide/recline rear seats, LED headlights with automatic high beams, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear parking sensors, and Infiniti’s Predictive Forward Collision Warning that can “see” two vehicles in front.

The base infotainment system is a twin-screen arrangement with AM/FM/satellite radio, CD player, Bluetooth, four USB ports, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, wi-fi, and a 6-speaker audio setup.

Luxe trim adds a power-operated panoramic moonroof, roof rails, LED fog lights, self-dimming rearview mirror with a universal garage door opener, heated front seats, blind-spot/lane-departure intervention, and the ProPilot Assist set of driver aids.

Higher up the 2021 QX50 ladder, Essential trim brings a 360-degree camera system, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, front parking sensors, and, new for 2021, road sign recognition.

Sensory trim rolls on 20-inch alloy wheels while adding leather seating surfaces, heated steering wheel, power-adjustable steering column, memory settings, reverse-tilt side mirrors, adaptive front lighting with “Ice Cube” LED headlights, head-up display (also new for 2021), and a 16-speaker Bose sound system.

The range-topping Autograph level enjoys semi-aniline leather, hands-free tailgate operation, ambient cabin lighting, Direct Adaptive Steering, heated/ventilated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and rear sunshades. It’s also eligible for the Premium White Leather package mentioned above.

Some features that are standard in the higher trims are available as options in the lower trims, such as the power-adjustable steering column, tri-zone climate control, and reverse-tilt side mirrors.

Developed over more than 20 years, Infiniti says its VC-T motor could be “the world’s most advanced engine.” Variable compression means the action of its pistons can be changed to optimize either power or efficiency. It’s complex technology, but everything happens behind the scenes, and the driver just has to concentrate on driving.

Infiniti says this sophisticated unit can run on 87-octane gasoline, but premium is recommended.

Also in the name of efficiency, all QX50 models use a CVT. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the standard setup; all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.

The 2021 Infiniti QX50 can tow up to 3,000 pounds when fitted with all-wheel drive and the towing package.

2.0-liter variable-compression turbocharged inline-4
268 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
280 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/29 mpg (FWD), 22/28 mpg (AWD)