Infiniti is on a quest to find its next big thing. After years of positioning itself just out of the spotlight, it’s hoping the 2025 QX80 might be the vehicle that convinces affluent buyers to look its way. But rather than taking on the sedans it once championed, the brand is betting everything on SUVs for 2025. One of its key offerings? The QX55.
This crossover coupe was introduced as an all-new addition to the range just two years ago, and Infiniti’s marketing calls it the spiritual successor to the FX series. Its mission? To combine athleticism and comfort in a way that turns heads and wins over luxury buyers.
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That’s a big goal in a field full of very competent rivals. After a week with it, it felt more like a car that came out several years ago. In the end, the QX55 is a perfectly enjoyable crossover coupe but the only way it could be considered as a leader in its segment is if we forget about just about every other car it rivals.
QUICK FACTS
That’s the last thing I initially expected. Before looking into the numbers, the car itself presents beautifully. The styling is attractive, aggressive, and decidedly different. Take for example the hood. Those giving it just a quick glance will miss a truly interesting detail. Note each edge of the sheet metal. On both sides of the car, the hood doesn’t meet up to form a shut line next to the fender as is the case on basically every other car on sale.
Instead, it actually hangs over the edge of the fender and headlamp sort of floating above it. That creates a more dramatic body line to connect the headlight to the faux vent in the fender which itself leads to the beltline on this car. It also creates a sort of power bulge at the front of the SUV which adds to the perception of athleticism and performance.
The rear end is a bit busy for my taste but it’s easy to see the FX inspiration. The tail lights are attractive too. Overall, the whole package stands out from the crowd. Where things start to go a bit askew is beneath this dapper suit of sheet metal and plastic.
Popping The Hood
This SUV makes 268 horsepower (199 kW) and 280 lb-ft (379 Nm) of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Those figures are perfectly passable for just about any car on sale today.
At the same time, they don’t really wow anyone who remembers the Infiniti FX which started in the early 2000s with 280 horsepower on tap. Of course, the FX also never came close to achieving what the QX does in terms of fuel economy.
The very best the FX ever did was manage 19 mpg combined in 2012. The QX55 achieves up to 22 mpg in the city, 28 on the highway, and 25 combined here in 2024. It does so in part because it leverages a continuously variable transmission and a front-wheel-drive-biased AWD setup. Those aspects lessen its athletic performance but it’s only one of the many tradeoffs in this crossover.
Notably, this is the only drivetrain available in the QX55. There are no other engines, transmissions, or drive types to choose from. The model starts at $50,150 but our test car is of the Sensory trim which starts at $58,500. Tack on options, and someone buying our car would have an MSRP of $62,725.
An Organic Cabin
Flow is a great word to describe the cabin design ethos of the QX55. The lack of straight lines in favor of organic curves is loud. The door card features a rich wood trim section that branches into the dash and then across to the other door. In the midst of that dash trim, you’ll find a small infotainment screen that mostly houses one or two main displays.
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Users are very limited in what they can place on this screen. They’ll need to pick one or two main features such as navigation, media, weather, or something else. Below this screen is another one with additional features and some options to control the upper screen as well. In addition, Infiniti graciously uses physical buttons and switches for things like climate control and media control.
The center console features a slider gear selector knob with a drive-mode selector just below it. Then, to the right, occupants will find a control knob with a few buttons to navigate the infotainment system without having to use the touchscreen. It’s nice to see any brand offer multiple ways to interact with a system.
At the same time, the infotainment system itself leaves a lot to be desired. It’s a bit slow and not very intuitive either. Splitting the screens up is an odd choice as well considering how many brands today opt for a large expansive setup instead.
On the other hand, the seating is very comfortable. While it’s devoid of the super-fancy stitching or upholstery of similarly-priced rivals, the seats are very supportive, and features like heating and ventilation work fast and effectively. The rear seats are supportive too but headroom is cramped thanks to the coupe-styled roofline.
Behind those, you’ll find 27 cubic feet of storage space which actually matches that of the old FX35. On top of that, the large rear hatch-style opening makes loading and unloading the cargo area very easy.
Driving Impressions
Driving the QX55 is a very unique experience. The chassis is well-balanced through long sweeping corners but gets a little upset at quick sharp changes in direction. The steering is light but not overly numb though we’d prefer a bit more weight to it. Visibility is largely good with clear sightlines and great wing mirrors that almost eliminate blind spots.
The engine isn’t really a problem either. No, it’s not as linear or engaging as something with more power or a naturally aspirated mill, but nobody will accuse this car of being weak or slow. Running to 60 mph (96 km/h) from a standstill takes under seven seconds. Braking is good too with firm and linear feedback.
Where the QX55 really starts to miss the mark is where throttle engagement comes into play. Yes, it’s quick enough for modern traffic but it’s a far cry from playful, fun, or genuinely sporty when compared to other cars in its segment. More on that shortly. The VC-Turbo engine in this car actually changes its compression ratio which is incredible technology.
Under low load, it produces 14:1 compression for optimal fuel economy. Under high load, it changes to 8:1 all while simultaneously monitoring and managing appropriate boost pressure. Where things go truly sideways is in the CVT. While this gearbox (if we can even call it that) doesn’t feature the drone that some do, it’s not what I’d call snappy.
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That means that when going from everyday dottling to trying to dance through canyons, the QX55 has mechanical delays that are noticeable from the driver’s seat. Granted, few buyers will likely push this crossover hard but those that do will likely end up disappointed.
Competition
Twenty or so years ago, Infiniti could’ve largely had this crossover coupe luxury market to itself. Today though, it’s going up against rivals like the Genesis GV70, the Mercedes GLC, and even the Porsche Macan. Even if we pretend that those cars don’t exist, the Audi Q5, BMW X4 and X3, and Lexus RX are still vying for this sort of market.
In fact, it’s the Lexus RX that seems most like what Infiniti might be trying to go for here. The RX isn’t really athletic and instead prioritizes fuel economy and comfort. While imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, Infiniti still has a long way to go if it wants to match the RX in terms of luxury, reliability, or practicality.
The rest of the market seems more focused too. BMW, Mercedes, and Audi lean into luxury better than the QX55. They’re also more engaging to drive. The Porsche Macan is clearly on a different level despite starting at the same price where the Infiniti caps out. The Genesis is undoubtedly an outstanding value in the segment. That leaves the QX55 searching for something to excel at. For now, it seems only poised to steal the hearts of those who are unabashedly loyal to the brand.
Where Does Infiniti Go From Here?
The tricky part about this car is that Infiniti has a produced a very fine performance-oriented SUV in the past. The FX Series was striking and sleek, and Infiniti even leverages it in marketing for the QX55. Here’s what it says: “The FX series was lauded for its performance. That same uncompromising approach led Infiniti to design the world’s first production VC-Turbo engine – standard in the Infiniti QX55.”
No car is truly without some compromises. In truth though, those in the QX55 are too many, especially compared to the competition, which makes it less appealing to its rivals.
What is the right recipe for success then? Go back to the drawing board and take to heart the idea of honoring what the FX was really about rather than simply using it for marketing purposes. The FX series had a platform closely tied to the Nissan 350Z and the Infiniti G35. Those are hallmarks in the enthusiast scene and the FX benefited from their athletic DNA.
It wasn’t just a great chassis that made the FX special. In reality, the QX55 feels nimble enough but it lacks what made the FX a cut above the rest: genuinely engaging drivetrains.
The FX35 boasted the same V6 found in the 350Z. Buyers could even get it with rear-wheel drive only. Then, there was the FX45 with a 4.5-liter V8. Later, Infiniti shoved what equated to a street-legal V8 racing engine into the FX50.
What happened to this sort of passion and performance natively bred into Infiniti crossovers? Wherever it went, it needs to come back as soon as possible. The brand, along with its parent, Nissan, are in sore straights. Catering to the wealthy requires a product that is unquestionably better than the competition in at least one or more meaningful ways.
Verdict
The QX55 is a perfectly comfortable crossover but it doesn’t stand out beyond its dapper exterior design. It’s not quick or engaging enough to be a serious performer. It’s not spacious enough to be a practical SUV either. On top of all of that, the cabin and technology baked in seem like they came out of the oven far too soon.
The ingredients are all here and available to Nissan and Infiniti. These brands have proven in the past that they know the recipe for success. That, in large part, means a more focused product rather than one trying to do so many different things at once. Hopefully, Infiniti will find some of that lost magic of the FX Series.
