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2022 Infiniti QX55: Swoopy and Snazzy

What can I say? The 2022 Infiniti QX55 shouldn’t appeal to me based on its pay-more-for-less-car ethos, but it’s sharp looks are hooking me, I like it.

What’s New for the 2022 Infiniti QX55

The 2022 Infiniti QX55 is a new SUV to the brand lineup, striking a more stylish – and more expensive – pose than its QX50 sister. The QX55 is essentially a QX50 with different sheet metal. Or, in the parlance of our automotive times, a compact crossover coupe – which is both verbose and inaccurate given the presence of four doors. However, BMW has the X4, Audi the Q5 Sportback, and consumers love these swoopier versions of the typical square back SUV look. As such, Infiniti has joined the party by channeling their FX series from the early aughts and it looks good, especially in Dynamic Sunstone Red.

2022 Infiniti QX55 - usa.infinitinews.com

2022 Infiniti QX55 – usa.infinitinews.com |  Shop 2022 Infiniti QX55 on Carsforsale.com

Body Style

Starting Price

MSRP $46,500

Drivetrain

Drivetrain

AWD

Drivetrain

Fuel Economy

22 City / 28 Hwy (MPG)

Number of Seats

Seating

Seats 5

The Breakdown

Carryover running gear from the QX50

AWD and 20″ wheels are standard

Long list of driver-assistance systems

Features and tech separate it from the QX50

You’re paying more money for less space

Slots into an ever-expanding auto segment

2022 Infiniti QX55 Specs

Trims & Pricing

Luxe - $47,525
Essential - $52,625
Sensory - $58,075

2022 Infiniti QX55 Powertrain

2022 Infiniti QX55 2.0L I4 - carsforsale.com
2022 Infiniti QX55 2.0L I4 - carsforsale.com

Infiniti’s tech-heavy, variable compression (VC) power plant is the sole engine option in the 2022 Infiniti QX55. Like it sounds, the compression automatically changes based on real-time conditions to optimize power and efficiency. In this application it produces 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque that is run to all four wheels via a continuously-variable transmission.

Steering wheel mounted paddle shifters offer a dose of sportiness to the turbocharged, 2.0-liter mill. A MacPherson front strut and multi-link rear suspension configuration should enhance that sporty flair along with decent handling on the 20” rubber. But if owners get carried away, the lineup standard all-wheel drive can direct up to 50% of available torque to the rear wheels and rein things back in.

2022 Infiniti QX55 Fuel Economy & MPG

2022 Infiniti QX55 - usa.infinitinews.com
2022 Infiniti QX55 - usa.infinitinews.com

The turbocharged VC four-cylinder in the new QX55 is something of an engineering marvel that Infiniti spent decades of time developing. While the complexity is impressive from the perspective of sheer ingenuity, the resultant fuel efficiency is not exactly earth shattering. The EPA estimates a figure of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the open road. Granted, the 2022 Infiniti QX55 weighs in at just over 4,000 pounds which doesn’t help in this department. Also worth noting is the need for premium octane fuel which can get pricey.

Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space

Will we look back on these of-the-moment coupe-ish SUVs with befuddlement? For about $8,000 more than the nearly identical QX50, QX55 buyers will earn 4 cubic feet less in the overall passenger volume department. But there’s no denying it looks good. Plus, it has plenty of upscale interior amenities to make up for that paradoxical formula.

High end leather is available and looks killer in Monaco Red finish. Front row occupants can find climate-controlled seats, a moonroof, and ambient interior lighting. The driver will appreciate the convenience of a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and rain sensing wipers. Tinted rear glass, acoustic front glass, and noise cancellation tech furthers the cocoon-like cabin atmosphere.

Entertainment & Technology

2022 Infiniti QX55 - infinitiusa.com
2022 Infiniti QX55 - infinitiusa.com

All new 2022 Infiniti QX55 models sport dual, stacked touchscreen displays centrally mounted in the dashboard. Gently angled toward the driver’s seat, there is navigation with 3D graphics on the top screen and a host of infotainment functions like smartphone mirroring, SiriusXM, and Infiniti InTouch services on both. Redundant buttons and knobs are in place for those times the touchscreen doesn’t want to cooperate.

Essential and Sensory models feature a 16-speaker Bose sound system that is sure to thump as well as 5 years of premium traffic and map updates included for the nav system. There is also an available Around View camera setting that displays a birds-eye perspective from outside the car, ideal for low speed maneuvering.

Safety Features

Driver-assist tech is in full effect with the 2022 QX55 as evidenced by the standard forward collision warning, automatic high beams, blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. When equipped with ProPILOT assist, drivers can lean on intelligent cruise control, intervention for blind spot and lane departure errors, plus traffic sign recognition and adaptive steering. With the upgraded cube-design headlights, the LEDs feature adaptive movement as well.

There is also an array of standard airbags including frontal, side, and knee coverage for front row occupants and a full-length, side-impact curtain airbag. NHTSA and IIHS have not yet released their overall ratings on the new QX55.

2022 Infiniti QX55 Trims & Pricing

2022 Infiniti QX55 Luxe - carsforsale.com
2022 Infiniti QX55 Luxe - carsforsale.com

Luxe – $47,525

The 2022 Infiniti QX55 Luxe trim is the base option for a vehicle that is, in itself, a more luxurious sub-vehicle to an existing, luxury SUV. As confusing as that is to write, it means that there is a high level of amenities at this entry point including 20” wheels, full LED lighting, and a power-operated liftgate. The door handles even have welcome lighting. All this is complimented by the more aggressive front fascia, with its gaping lower intake, in comparison to the QX50. Not to mention the sloping rear roofline.

There are no packages available on Luxe models, but there is a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple and Android smartphone software, and USB ports front and back. Strangely, Apple CarPlay is wireless while Android Auto is not. Faux leather covers seating surfaces and dual-zone, automatic climate control keeps occupants comfy as does a reclining rear seat and active noise cancellation tech.

2022 Infiniti QX55 Essential - carsforsale.com
2022 Infiniti QX55 Essential - carsforsale.com

Essential – $52,625

Midpack Essential models are offered with the striking, Dynamic Sunstone Red paint job, albeit for $900. Select the $800 ProAssist package for Infiniti’s higher-end “cube design” LED headlights that feature auto-levelling and adaptive movement. That package also nets intelligent cruise control with distance control assist, blind spot intervention, and lane departure prevention systems.

Other included features on this trim are real leather upholstery with ventilation added to the standard, heated front seats. The steering wheel receives a heating element and power adjustment for telescoping and tilt. Not to be missed on Essential models is the Bose audio system that has a whopping 16 speakers versus the six on base trim.

2022 Infiniti QX55 Sensory - carsforsale.com
2022 Infiniti QX55 Sensory - carsforsale.com

Sensory – $58,075

The QX55 in Sensory garb offers no packages, but it does include every available feature like ProPILOT Assist. This suite of active safety systems includes a heads-up display, full speed active cruise control with stop and hold tech, plus direct adaptive steering. That last one allows drivers to choose levels of steering effort and response from Light, Standard or Heavy.

The Monaco Red semi-aniline leather surface with Graphite contrast is only available on Sensory models as is the open pore, black maple trim. Other niceties are a hands-free liftgate, triple-zone climate control, and power lumbar adjustment for front row passengers.

Warranties

While the vehicle and powertrain offer lengthy warranty periods, there is not any complimentary maintenance with the 2022 Infiniti QX55, which is surprising given its luxury aspirations. The basic vehicle warranty is good for 4 years or 60,000 miles and the powertrain systems are covered for 6 years or up to 70,000 miles of use.

What we think

2022 Infiniti QX55 - usa.infinitinews.com

2022 Infiniti QX55 – usa.infinitinews.com |  Shop 2022 Infiniti QX55 on Carsforsale.com

Logically, the idea of spending more money for an SUV that Infiniti already makes, with a tighter cabin makes no sense to me. But that’s because these days I look at vehicles through the lens of “Could I squeeze all three kids in there?” Obviously, I’m not the 2022 Infiniti QX55 target demographic and I have to say, it’s a fine-looking automobile. So, kudos to Infiniti for what looks to be an intriguing vehicle.

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Niel Stender

Niel Stender grew up doing replacement work on his 1990 Cherokee and 1989 Starion, so it’s not surprising that he would put his mechanical engineering degree from the University of New Hampshire to use in the car world as a vehicle dynamics engineer. Now engineering sentence structures, his writing infuses his auto experience with his time in marketing and his sales experience. Writing about cars for close to a decade now, he focuses on some of the more technical mechanical systems that are found under the hood and throughout a vehicle.

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