This week I bring you a fairly new entry to the Infiniti SUV lineup, the 2023 Infiniti QX55. This is called a coupe, a growing segment in crossover SUVs. It features a sloping roofline and hatchback style, intended to be more car-like than most SUVs.
I find the QX55 to be very attractive on the outside. I love the sculpted raised hood, the distinctive flared side panels, the dual exhaust and rear spoiler, and especially the 20” wheels.
Under the hood is a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that is putting out 268-horses and 280-pound feet of torque. It is mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission, which is shiftable from steering wheel paddles. I am not a CVT fan by nature, but Nissan programs in simulated shifts and that helps a lot. All QX55s are all-wheel drive.
Where the QX55 really shines is the interior. My tester has black semi-aniline leather seats. I am impressed with the vast amount of stitching across the dash, the center console, the seats, and the door panels.
As you sit behind the power tilt steering wheel to start the QX, a driver info center between the tach and speedometer comes to life and offers up a lot of information.
The center stack is busy with a dual touchscreen setup. Some people find this antiquated, but I like it. The upper screen is the navigation system and is 8-inches. The lower screen is 7-inches and handles audio and Bluetooth. It’s nice to have the navigation screen up constantly if you want to change radio stations or make a call using the lower screen. Controls to the sides handle climate control.
The center console is home to the shifter, the parking brake, the auto hold, and there is a round knob that controls the navigation screen.
This is also where you change the drive modes from personal, sport, standard, and Eco. There is a marked difference between each mode.
The back seat features stadium style seating, meaning the back seats are elevated for better vision. Most impressive, the rear seats slide forward and backwards, and they recline, a very nice touch. Rear passengers get air vents, a power port, and USB outlets. Although the roof slopes, back seat headroom would be good for people six-feet tall, maybe a little more.
As we head toward the rear hatch, there is a small triangular button in the Infiniti emblem to open the power hatch, or you can do it with your foot. Cargo area is good with 27 cubic feet of space, or use the handles in the rear to fold down the second row seating to 54 cubic feet of space.
This QX55 is the next to top of the line, called the Essential package. It comes with everything you see as standard equipment, except for the optional paint color, which everyone agrees is beautiful.
Standard features include: a power moonroof, remote start, heated and cooled front seats, parking sensors, 360-degree cameras, and adaptive cruise control. It also has a 16-speaker Bose stereo, Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and it even has a CD player, something hard to find these days.
Safety features include: Steering assist, forward collision warning, automatic braking, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert.
The QX55 reminds me a lot of the old FX35, which was one of my favorite early SUVs. It handles great, is quiet inside, it has ample power, and overall is a joy to drive.
Fuel economy is really good at 22 in town, 28 on the highway, and 25 overall. MSRP is $56,580 which is reasonable these days for a true luxury SUV.
If you are looking for a five passenger SUV that doesn’t look like every other one you see, this may be the right one for you.
2023 INFINITI QX55 in a few words: A good-looking SUV that drives, rides, and performs great.