2020 INFINITI QX50 Autograph Edition Review

This week I am behind the wheel of the beautiful 2020 Infiniti QX50 Autograph edition SUV. The Autograph is the top-of-the-line model, and as you’ll see, it’s all about the interior.

Exterior

The exterior is all Infiniti with an aerodynamic design, angular headlights that blend into the Infiniti grill, a curved hood, 20” wheels, and from the side, just the right amount of chrome accents. A contoured spoiler and dual exhaust finish out the rear view.

Performance

Under the hood you’ll find a 2-liter variable compression turbo engine putting out 268-horses and 280-pound feet of torque. In simple terms, it’s like having two engines in one. It combines the power of a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with the torque and efficiency of a 3.5-liter V6.

It is mated to a continuously variable transmission, which I don’t love, but kudos to Nissan for simulating shifts that can be controlled from shift paddles. This one is all-wheel drive but is available in two-wheel drive as well.

Interior

For me, the real story is the interior. This Autograph edition has beautiful pleated Nappa leather seats. It has blue Ultrasuede that flows from the dash through the center console and along the door panels. Brown accents, including the stitched dash really add to the overall look. All in all, the contrast colors look fantastic.

There is a configurable driver info center in the middle of the dash and as you look into the windshield, there is an easy to see head-up display that has traffic sign recognition.

Moving to the middle, you have an 8” screen on top that shows your navigation screen, and a 7” screen on bottom to control all audio and to access the menu. Buttons run vertically beside the screen for both driver and passenger to control their own climate settings.

The center console houses a short shifter, you can turn on the auto hold, a round knob lets you zoom in on the nav system and change camera angles, including a front and overhead view. You can also change drive modes from eco, standard, personal, and my favorite of course, sport mode. There are USB ports and two large cupholders.

Utility

The back seats recline, they fold flat, and you can slide them forward and backwards. Cargo room is generous with 65-cubic feet of cargo. You can easily lower the back seats from levers in the cargo area. Back seat passengers get air vents, climate control, and their own USB port. There are also window shades to keep the back seat cooler.

Standard Features, Safety and Options

This luxury SUV comes very loaded with standard features like remote start, a huge panoramic sunroof, power liftgate, a 16-speaker Bose sound system, Apple Carplay & Android auto, heated and cooled seats, and a power tilt steering wheel.

On the safety side, it has forward collision warning with emergency braking, lane departure warning and prevention, blind-spot monitoring, rear automatic braking and rear cross traffic alert.

Options include trailer towing and the white leather package for $2000 which gives you the blue suede accents and brown suede headliner.

Ride and Drive

This SUV drives and handles really well. The all-wheel system gives you a feel of the vehicle being very planted to the road. It is ultra quiet inside, and although I am not a huge CVT fan, this one is tolerable. Acceleration was surprisingly good.

Fuel economy is great for a 4000- pound SUV at 22 in town and 28 on the highway.

What You’ll Pay

MSRP completely loaded is $61,815 which is on par with competitors from Lexus, Audi, and Mercedes.

Verdict

A big thumbs up to Infiniti for the amazing interior in this Autograph edition.