The 2019 Infiniti QX50 is a beautiful package of technological innovations—in places visible and not visible.
Pros Beautiful, inside and out Good standard safety tech Remarkably advanced engine Good value in top trims Whisper-quiet interior
Cons Dual-screen infotainment system Option packages are walled off in some trim levels Getting top safety packages requires top trims Finicky throttle in early, pre-production models
The 2019 Infiniti QX50 ranked #9 in Luxury Compact SUVs. Currently the Infiniti QX50 has a score of 8.1 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 13 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Lots of cargo space Great gas mileage Spacious, supportive seats
Cons Uninspiring handling Disappointing infotainment system
Infiniti’s slinky QX50 is more than just a pretty face—its creased sheetmetal is hiding a revolutionary new powertrain. A quest for increased fuel efficiency led Infiniti to develop a first-of-its-kind variable-compression-ratio turbocharged engine, good for 268 hp and, by Infiniti's estimate, 30 to 31 mpg on the highway.
Pros Invisible and novel tech; spacious, refined, quiet, and comfortable.
Cons We anticipated better fuel economy; the usual CVT complaints.
PROS PHEV drivetrain enables limited electric running at speeds up to 135km/h Excellent blend of everyday comfort, refinement and performance 3500kg towing capacity It shares its drivetrain with the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
CONS PHEV drivetrain adds handsomely to the weight Li-ion battery robs 70L of boot space Lacks the traditional hardened performance focus for which Volkswagen R models are renowned
“A curious mix of speed and efficiency with a big dollop of comfort. It's just not especially fun ”
PROS Comfy, plush, quick and a company car bargain
CONS Not as nimble as a Cayenne
The VW Touareg R is comfortable, well-equipped and effortless to drive, but not sharp or engaging enough to be considered a true sports SUV. That leaves it in somewhat of a no man’s land. Put simply, those looking for a fast yet relatively frugal sports SUV would be better served by the similarly priced Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid, while those wanting a luxurious and well-rounded plug-in hybrid luxury SUV would be better off with the BMW X5 xDrive45e.
PROS Well-equipped Spacious inside for up to five people Very quiet in electric mode
CONS Cheap-feeling interior Fussy infotainment system Not very exciting to drive