History/Overview
The QX55 is an all-new model from Infiniti, a compact crossover that recalls the brand’s FX, which later became the QX70 and was an early example of the crossover coupe body style that is now all the rage among luxury automakers. While it wears a different name, the QX55 shares its underpinnings with the existing QX50 model.
Available Trims
Infiniti offers the QX55 in Luxe, Essential ProAssist and Sensory trim levels. Power is from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with Infiniti’s variable compression technology. All-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Standard Features
The QX55’s exterior wears 20-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights, LED auto on/off headlights, heated side mirrors, a wiper de-icer, passive keyless entry, and a power tailgate.
Inside, there’s a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, eight-way power front seats with driver lumbar, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, aluminum trim, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a garage door remote.
Infotainment functions are handled through a pair of touchscreens – an 8.0-inch upper display and a lower 7.0-inch screen. Infiniti’s InTouch system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and powers a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio.
Infiniti’s standard driver safety assist package includes automatic high beams, lane departure warning, forward and rear collision detection with front and rear automatic braking, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.
Essential ProAssist trim adds adaptive/auto-leveling headlights, leather seating, a power-adjustable steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, a 16-speaker stereo, 360-degree exterior cameras, front parking sensors, intelligent cruise control, lane departure prevention, and blind spot intervention.
Finally, Sensory trim brings a head-up display, a hands-free tailgate, climate-controlled front seats, semi-aniline leather upholstery, black maple wood interior trim, three-zone A/C, enhanced interior ambient lighting, traffic sign recognition, direct adaptive steering with steering assist, and the ProPilot semi-autonomous highway driving assist system.
Fuel Economy
As of this writing, Infiniti had not published fuel consumption estimates for the QX55. However, the closely related QX50 is rated for 10.8/8.3 L/100 km (city/highway), and we predict the QX55’s estimates will be similar.
Competition
With the QX55, Infiniti enters a niche segment in the luxury compact crossover segment currently dominated by German models: the BMW X4, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, and the Audi Q5 Sportback. You could also include the Jaguar E-Pace in this group.
