The 2021 Infiniti QX50 Sensory AWD is a five-seat luxury crossover SUV comes with an impressive exterior design and innovative engine competing with the Audi Q5, Cadillac XT5, Lincoln Corsair, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The upscale exterior look as well and the luxurious cabin were highlights for me.
Highlights
The QX50 has an innovative engine, which allows drivers to choose between more power and improved fuel economy. With the engine setup, drivers get a 30 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the regular turbo-4 engine. Most shoppers will appreciate the 25 mpg combined fuel economy they get from the innovative turbo-4 that comes with the 2021 Infiniti QX50 Sensory AWD.
According to Infiniti, the VC-T motor is one of the most advanced automobile engines in the world. They claim that it was developed over more than two decades. It features variable compression, which means the action of the pistons can be changed for improved efficiency or increased power delivery.
Driver Experience
The ride is comfortable and balanced. I found it very comfortable, even on long-haul commutes. The bump absorption is great and even with rougher road conditions the ride is smooth. . The cabin is quiet and well insulated from wind and road noise. Handling is quite decent too. While it could be more precise, it feels crisp, and the body roll is well checked. Maneuverability is good with a tight turning radius.
For some drivers, the steering may take some getting used to due to the steer-by-wire setup used by Infiniti, which they named the Direct Adaptive Steering. At low speeds, the system reduces steering effort, which is great. However, it is not as responsive at higher speeds. I didn’t have any issues with the steering at all and found it easy to drive, park and go in reverse.
Interior
The cabin has all the luxury look and feel one would expect from Infiniti. It is fitted with quilted leather search, faux suede headline, and wood interior trim. It is quite comfortable and there is ample legroom in the second row, which includes reclining seats. Behind the backseat, you will get 31 cubic feet of space, which is expandable to 65 cubic feet with the rear bench folded.
In general, it has a nice interior with high-quality material and the design team paid attention to detail. It features Bose noise-canceling technology to eliminate external noise. The technology works great. Other notable features are the dual touchscreen infotainment system and climate control. It also has numerous physical knobs for tuning, volume, fan speed, and temperature.
Exterior
The 2021 Infiniti QX50 Sensory AWD is appealing to the eye. Some of the most noticeable aspects are the curved hood and the protruding boomerang-shaped rear pillar. At the front, you will get a huge honeycomb grill with the Infiniti badge placed at the center. The ground clearance of 8.6 inches is quite impressive. With the QX50 Sensory, shoppers will get 20-inch wheels finished in black and dark chrome exterior elements.
Engine / Power-train
Under the hood, the QX50 Sensory AWD features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that uses variable compression, which Infiniti calls VC-Turbo. The engine delivers 268 HP and 280 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that delivers power to all four wheels. A unique aspect of the engine is the ability to swap between high compression during cruising and low compression during acceleration which provides a nice balance between power and gas mileage.
Safety
One of the most usable safety features is ProPilot Assist, which assists drivers by maintaining a set distance to the car in front while providing lane-keeping assistance. It also comes with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, which helps with blind spot monitoring. It also has forward emergency braking, which gives drivers a visual and audio warning if there is an imminent collision with a person or car. You can modify settings of these features or turn them off completely which gives the driver more control over the driving experience.
Conclusion
The 2021 Infiniti QX50 is a really nice crossover SUV that doesn’t feel like a crossover SUV. It is a good value for the MSRP, especially considering the beautiful interior and exterior and all the technology. It gets 25 MPG so you will be comfortable on long road trips and get good gas mileage. It’s definitely something to consider if you are in the market for a higher end SUV crossover.
For more information, specs and options on the 2021 Infiniti QX50 visit
https://www.infinitiusa.com/vehicles/crossovers/qx50.html
MSRP for Sensory AWD version
$52,000
As Tested
$60,000
