The new QX55’s styling pays homage to the iconic Infiniti FX.
After delays in release dates and many hyped teasers, Infiniti finally took the wraps off its new crossover, the 2022 QX55.
With its award-winning variable compression turbo four-cylinder and a body that looks like it was sculpted by the wind itself, Infiniti believes its new crossover will be a great buy for younger customers who care about standing out from the crowd — something the QX55 does very well.
A major focal point of the QX55 is the design, which bears a striking resemblance to the iconic FX. In fact, the QX55 actually looks like a modernized FX, with the same fastback rear roofline and sharply angled front windshield. The front grille has a unique pattern that the manufacturer claims is inspired by Japanese origami. LED headlights are now available as standard across the range, and the hood is sculpted in such a way that the edges merge with the A-pillars, giving the QX55 a fascinating look from the side.
The rear features LED taillights with some portions blacked out, and a dual-exhaust setup. The side profile has some resemblance to the sloping roofline of the BMW X4 and the Mercedes GLC Coupe, its main rivals on the market. The QX55 sits on 20-inch alloy wheels, giving it quite an aggressive stance.
That being said, the interior may disappoint as there are very subtle changes over the previous-gen Infiniti interior. Furthermore, the outdated analogue gauge cluster and cheap plastic buttons don’t really bring the same modern feel that the exterior does. Luckily, there are tasteful uses of leather to make the interior more pleasing, but the lack of quality in the switchgear will be a harsh pitch, especially considering the competition.
The cockpit is equipped with a dual touchscreen infotainment display measuring 7 and 8 inches. It also comes with Apple CarPlay connectivity, a first for any Infiniti model. In terms of space, despite the sloping roofline, the QX55 does have more room compared to the competition and can also slide the rear seats to increase cargo space or create more legroom for the rear passengers. The trunk is very well sized at 762 liters of luggage space, beating the Mercedes GLC and the BMW X4.
The QX55 will be offered in three trim levels – Luxe, Essential, and Sensory, with the top trim receiving semi-aniline leather upholstery, open-pore wood trimming, and a 16-speaker Bose audio system.
It will also feature numerous driving aids such as Infiniti’s ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system, lane departure assist, HUD, traffic signal recognition, and an automatic emergency braking system.
The QX55 will be powered by Infiniti’s reputed 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with variable compression, producing a healthy 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent via a Continuous Variable Transmission and an all-wheel-drive powertrain with a slight bias to the front wheels.
With no official word on pricing, the QX55 should be priced above the top-level QX50 Luxe, which costs $43,500.
Full press release here.
