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2019 INFINITI QX50

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$36,650

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

SUV

Body style

27

Combined MPG

5

Seating capacity

184.7” x 66”

Dimensions

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(89 reviews)

The good:

  • High-quality cabin materials
  • Cargo space
  • Backseat headroom, legroom
  • Relative value
  • Car-seat accommodations
  • Well-executed self-driving features

The bad:

  • Lag from drivetrain
  • Mushy handling
  • No Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
  • Dual-screen multimedia system is hard to use
  • Adaptive shock absorbers not offered
  • No wireless smartphone charging

4 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2019 INFINITI QX50 trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best SUVs for 2024

Notable features

  • Redesigned for 2019
  • Small, five-seat luxury SUV
  • Turbocharged four-cylinder
  • Front- or all-wheel drive
  • New ProPilot Assist driver-assist technology
  • First use of variable-compression engine
See also: How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2019 INFINITI QX50?

2019 INFINITI QX50 review: Our expert's take

By Kelsey Mays

The verdict: The redesigned Infiniti QX50 is a smallish luxury SUV with promising technology and a lush, roomy interior, but it has a few warts.

"

Versus the competition: The QX50 placed third among seven compact luxury SUVs in Cars.com's Luxury Compact SUV Challenge — a credit to its strong overall utility — but its drivability is lackluster and it's missing some desirable features.

"

After skipping the 2018 model year, the QX50 returns in redesigned form for 2019. I attended Infiniti’s Los Angeles-area media preview (per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its airfare and lodging at automaker-hosted events), then participated in our SUV Challenge as a judge, driving the QX50’s top trim level in both cases. On sale now, the QX50 comes in Pure, Luxe and Essential trims.

Svelte and Spacious

A stone’s throw from the QX50 Concept and QX Sport Inspiration Concept that preceded it, the production QX50 follows the design language seen on the Q50 sedan and Q60 coupe — both handsome cars. Inside, Infiniti wraps much of the QX50’s dashboard, upper doors and center console in a mix of stitched vinyl and real leather. I couldn’t tell the difference; it’s convincing stuff, with raised seams and rich textures where your arms and elbows rest. Cheaper plastics hang below eye level, which we’ve come to expect in this class, and Infiniti hides them well enough.

Pure and Luxe trims have vinyl seats; Essential versions get leather. Pile up the options beyond that and you can get quilted semi-aniline leather seats with suedelike accents on the upper doors, dash and console. As such, the cabin is mighty handsome.

It’s roomy, too. Both rows have adult-friendly room, with reclining and sliding adjustments for the backseat. We’ve found many inconsistencies in manufacturer-reported cargo specs, but in Cars.com’s measurements, the QX50 thumped six rivals during our luxury compact SUV comparison, with 7 to 23 percent more space behind the backseat.

What the Functionality

Less handsome are the dashboard’s twin touchscreens, which emulate those in the Q50 and Q60. The displays (8 inches for the upper unit, 7 inches for the lower) have straightforward menus and pinch-and-swipe capability, but the skyward angle of the upper unit means it’s often washed out by sunlight. The screens appear plucked from different cars, with separate resolution and response times, and the whole setup makes sense only if you leave a navigation map up top — something two of the QX50’s three trim levels can’t have. A navigation map from Apple CarPlay or Android Auto would work, too, but the QX50 offers neither of these smartphone integrations.

Infiniti says wireless versions of both will come in future model years, as will wireless phone charging — but that will require new hardware, so don’t expect an update for existing owners. In the here and now, the 2019 QX50 is a mobile-device Luddite.

Trick Engine

The chassis stays reasonably planted over rapid elevation changes, but ride quality with the QX50’s standard 19-inch wheels is a touch busy on anything but glass-smooth pavement. It’s seldom harsh or bouncy, but it lacks the sophistication that rivals like the BMW X3 nail. (Twenty-inch wheels and lower-profile tires are optional on the QX50, but I didn’t drive any model thus equipped.) Suspension tuning is the same across all trim levels; adaptive shock absorbers, a common option among competitors, aren’t offered.

Gas mileage is much improved over the outgoing QX50 — 27 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 26 mpg with AWD, figures that edge out the competition — but the QX50 stipulates premium gas in all but emergency situations. Some competitors allow the cheap stuff more readily; the Cadillac XT5 even recommends it.

Steering and Handling

The QX50 offers Direct Adaptive Steering, the latest generation of Infiniti’s steer-by-wire system that we’ve criticized in earlier iterations. It turns steering into a low-effort affair, which I suspect most SUV drivers will love. Don’t fret the three-point turn: In a steer-by-wire QX50, you can do it with one finger.

Enthusiasts may beg to differ, however. As equipped, feedback is numb on twisting mountain roads even in Sport mode, and it’s utterly absent at low speeds. Without DAS, the QX50 requires more effort to steer at low speed, though it’s still on the light side. Feedback improves on curvy roads, but the SUV’s dynamics disappoint. It’s a mushy, nose-heavy experience to throw the QX50 around, and that’s an area where competitors with rear-drive platforms or smarter AWD hold a clear advantage.

You can drive with just a few fingers if you get the QX50’s optional ProPilot Assist system. Also offered in the Leaf and Rogue from Infiniti’s parent company, Nissan, ProPilot Assist is packaged with the DAS option in the QX50. It includes adaptive cruise control and lane-centering steering, both of which work all the way to a stop. Intended for highways with proper lane markings, ProPilot Assist kept natural position for the most part on L.A.’s Highway 101, tracking mild curves and merging traffic like a human driver might.

It isn’t a hands-free system like Cadillac’s Super Cruise, and it warns you in short order if it senses you’ve let go of the steering wheel. It also requires a forceful hand: My test car sometimes flashed warnings when I gave insufficient resistance even with my hands on the rim.

Safety and Value

As of this writing, the 2019 QX50 had yet to be crash-tested. Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking at speeds up to 50 mph is standard; a blind spot warning system and the ProPilot suite of driving technology are both optional. In Cars.com’s Car Seat Check, floppy seat belt buckles made access tougher for children in booster seats, but we found easy-to-access Latch anchors and sufficient clearance for rear-facing seats.

Front-drive models start around $37,500, with standard features like keyless access with push-button start, power front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. Some options seem stingy (even on the top trim level, for example, heated seats still cost extra), but a loaded QX50 Essential AWD can approach $60,000. Still, that’s a relative value for this class: Base-engine versions of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and Volvo XC60 start in the low $40,000s, and most exceed 60 grand — or balloon well past it, in the case of the X3 and GLC — with options.

The QX50’s podium finish in Cars.com’s Luxury Compact SUV Challenge is a testament to its roominess and comfort, but its shortcomings remain significant.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Photo of Kelsey Mays
Former Assistant Managing Editor-News Kelsey Mays likes quality, reliability, safety and practicality. But he also likes a fair price. Email Kelsey Mays

Consumer reviews

(89 reviews)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.8
  • Interior 4.8
  • Performance 4.5
  • Value 4.4
  • Exterior 4.9
  • Reliability 4.7
Write a review

Most recent consumer reviews

Nice car, but some flaws in the making of the QX50

The QX50 is a nice car, but the car is under powered with the 4.0 Turbo. Car to heavy for the engine. The driver and passenger side mirrors on a sunny day are muddled with the reflection of the appearance of dash and outside. can be a hindrance when driving. I miss some of the 2017 features like the big V6. Beside that the car is nice.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 2.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does not recommend this car
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Luxury - BLAH!!!

Please save yourself $$ by buying another brand this car (and Infiniti) is just super basic. If you want something that has a touch of luxury, Infiniti is not your brand. I am amazed that they have been in business for this long. Lets talk about the car 1. Info system - Probably the worst experience ever. No Apple Car Play!!! Random pop up for voice activation everytime you plug in your phone. But this voice feature never works. The user interface is really really bad. There are two screens but the second screen is just there, no real useful information on it other than a clock, which you cannot really customize 2. Performance: The 2.0L engine is really slow and sluggish. 0-80 is a maybe, just kidding, it will eventually get there but could be a few mins. The fuel economy is low 20's which is crazy coz my 3.0L honda accord gave better gas mileage I would stay away from this car and brand

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 2.0
  • Interior 2.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 3.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does not recommend this car
13 people out of 23 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Infiniti G37

So far so good...Still getting to know my new car. Will be driving it around town and can really see the ride. Wish my trunk space was a little bit larger...

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
13 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all 89 consumer reviews

Safety

Based on the 2019 INFINITI QX50 base trim.
Combined side rating front seat
5
Combined side rating rear seat
5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
5
Overall rating
5
Overall side crash rating
5
Risk of rollover
15.5%
Rollover rating
4
Side barrier rating
5
Side barrier rating driver
5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by INFINITI
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
48 months/60,000 miles
Corrosion
84 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
72 months/70,000 miles
Roadside assistance
48 months/unlimited distance
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
Months from In-Service Date (ISD): Less than or equal to 60 months from ISD | Vehicle Mileage: Less than or equal to 15,000 Miles | Greater than 15,000 Miles but less than or equal to 60K miles
Basic warranty terms
6 years/75K miles from original ISD | 6 years/unlimited miles from original ISD
Powertrain
72 months/70,000 miles
Dealer certification required
167-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

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