9 Things You Need to Know About the 2019 Infiniti QX50

2019 INFINITI QX50 front three quarter ・ Photo by Infiniti

High school volleyball carpool. My daughter’s friend, the one with the nasty serve, climbs into the backseat of 2019 Infiniti QX50, which is covered in quilted white leather, buckles her seatbelt, and says, “Thanks for the ride, Mr. Oldham. This car feels expensive.”

The newly redesigned QX50 is Infiniti’s latest SUV, one of four from the brand. It’s built in Mexico, and it’s larger than the previous QX50, which was often considered a little too small. It’s a five-passenger crossover that slots between the smaller QX30 and the larger seven-passenger QX60 in the brand’s lineup. And it does feel expensive. Its rich and beautifully detailed interior combines with elegant exterior style, strong performance, and cool tech features. The QX50 competes against the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, Acura RDX, Buick Envision, and Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

1. Prices start well below $40,000.

Three trim levels are available on the 2019 Infiniti QX50: Pure, Luxe, and Essential. Each is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, which costs an extra $1,800. All models are powered the Infiniti’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 268 hp, which is strong for the class. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is also standard across the range.

Prices start at $37,545, including $995 for destination, for the QX50 Pure with front-wheel drive and top out at $46,095 for an all-wheel drive Essential. These prices are competitive with the Lexus NX 300, which has considerably less horsepower, although Lexus offers a hybrid model and Infiniti does not. Standard features on the Pure include Bluetooth, a backup camera, keyless entry, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, power front seats, and a 7-inch infotainment screen. With options, our all-wheel drive QX50 Essential test vehicle cost $59,085.

Photo by Infiniti

2. It's powered by a new high-tech turbo engine.

Although many vehicles in this class offer a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the Infiniti’s VC-Turbo version is unique. It’s the world's first production variable compression ratio engine. Without getting too technical, the engine adjusts its compression ratio between 8:1 (for high performance) and 14:1 (for high efficiency) to optimize power and fuel economy.

The changes are completely invisible to the driver, but the results are impressive. The engine is smooth and delivers 268 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, which make it one of the most powerful 2.0-liter turbos on the market. But it’s also extremely fuel-efficient, with front-wheel drive models achieving a 31 mpg highway rating from the EPA. Low-end torque is another benefit of the design, as the engine’s torque output peaks at just 1,600 rpm and doesn’t diminish until 4,800 rpm, so there’s plenty of off-the-line power and acceleration.

Photo by Infiniti

3. It's quick and fun to drive.

That engine technology is enough to get the QX50, which weighs less than 4,000 lbs, to 60 mph in roughly 6.2 seconds. That’s about a full second quicker than the Lexus NX. Although we prefer a conventional automatic transmission, which can be a little more responsive, the Infiniti’s CVT is tuned well and can be manually manipulated with the SUV’s standard paddle shifters. There’s also a sport mode, which quickens throttle response and recalibrates the transmission for more aggressive gear selection.

Around town, the QX50 is easy to maneuver and satisfyingly athletic. With its sport-tuned suspension, and our test vehicle’s optional 20-inch wheels and tires, its handling is more than enough for most buyers. Out on the highway at 80 mph its ride is compliant and comfortable, and its interior is quiet. I was also impressed with the Infiniti’s optional Direct Adaptive Steering system, which is completely digital, with no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front tires. The system’s operation is completely transparent to the driver.

Photo by Infiniti

4. It features advanced safety systems and technology.

Every 2019 Infiniti QX50 comes standard with a forward-collision warning and forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, so it will brake for you if it determines an accident is imminent and you haven't taken actions to avoid it. Our test vehicle also included the $550 ProAssist Package, with adds a lane-departure warning, lane-departure prevention, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and intervention, backup collision intervention, a rear cross-traffic alert, and distance control assist.

We’re also huge fans of Infiniti’s Intelligent Around View Monitor, which is standard on the top of the line Essential trim level. It gives you a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the SUV on its 7-inch touchscreen to make parking and backing up much easier. The SUV’s ProPilot Assist system, which is part of the $2,000 ProActive Package, is another cool feature. With a simple two-button operation, ProPilot Assist practically drives the QX50 for you — helping steer, brake, and accelerate in many driving conditions including stop-and-go traffic.

Photo by Infiniti

5. It can practically drive itself.

ProPilot Assist is not exactly a self-driving feature. The system does require you to keep your hands on the steering wheel, and it will sound an alarm if you do not. Instead, think of ProPilot as cruise control 2.0. It allows you to set your desired speed as well as your desired distance from the car ahead. It applies the SUV’s brakes and accelerator for you in addition to steering the vehicle as a camera mounted to the windshield reads the lane markers.

You activate the system with a blue ProPilot Assist button on the right side of the QX50’s steering wheel. ProPilot accelerates the SUV smoothly and will bring it to a complete stop without any drama. On straight well-striped roads and highways, the system cruises you along without drama. But it does have its limitations. Faded lane markers can cause it to veer from your chosen lane, and sharp turns require more steering input than the system can deliver.

Photo by Infiniti

6. Its interior looks and feels expensive.

As attractive as the 2019 Infiniti QX50 is on the outside, its interior is sure to impress your friends. Our test car was dressed with the $2,000 Autograph Package that added quilted stitch white leather upholstery and blue Ultrasuede accents to the dash, doors, console, and headliner. The materials, which also included real maple wood trim, are beautiful and the build quality is impressive.

The optional heated and cooled front seats in our test vehicle were extremely comfortable. A power tilt and telescopic heated steering wheel is optional, but it was still easy to find the perfect seating position using our test car's manual adjustments. Visibility is good, and the outside mirrors are large.  There are two infotainment touchscreens for the navigation, audio, and other features, which can also be manipulated with a knob on the console. The system and its interface are easier to use without distraction than in some competitors, and you’ll master it with a little practice.

Photo by Infiniti

7. It has more cargo space than the Lexus NX.

Cargo space is sizable for this class. The 2019 Infiniti QX50 offers 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, which is almost double the capacity of the Lexus NX. The Acura RDX offers about the same volume. Every QX50 comes standard with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, which easily folds flat for your larger items. With the seats down, there’s 65.1 cubic feet of space.

The Infiniti’s two front-seat cupholders are large but they are placed ahead of the shifter, meaning that tall drinks can interfere with the dash. The two rear-seat cupholders are part of a center pull-down armrest. Overall, storage inside the QX50 is sufficient and well thought out. The center console bin is large and felt-lined, and the sizable door pockets have slots for water bottles.

Photo by Infiniti

8. It has a very family-friendly back seat.

In previous versions of the Infiniti QX50, rear seat space was cramped, keeping this SUV from catching on with families. It isn’t a problem anymore. Rear passengers can now spread out in the QX50. There’s plenty of legroom as well as standard rear air conditioning vents and adjustable headrests. The Infiniti seats five comfortably, and rear headroom is abundant even with the optional sunroof.

Younger families will appreciate the Infiniti’s easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats and three easily accessed upper tether anchors. Unfortunately, the new 2019 QX50 has not yet received safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Photo by Infiniti

9. It gets very good fuel economy.

Overall, fuel economy is above average for this class. With front-wheel drive, the QX50 is rated at 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, while AWD models are rated 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. That’s better than the Lexus NX 300, though the NX 300h hybrid is rated at 33 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

I averaged 25 mpg during a week of mixed driving in the Infiniti, although more expensive premium fuel is recommended to get the most performance from its turbocharged engine.

Photo by Infiniti