Car naming terms are funny things – they can be numbers or names, but the trend has become for numbers to be a big player in the naming business.
Numbers are used as they can denote vehicle category, engine size, and age just by adding a few numerical characters on the end.
For BMW, the 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 denoted the type or category, with the last two numbers revealing the engine size – this is no longer a hard and fast rule especially as engines have downsized with the use of turbochargers and electric or hybrid powertrains have been added to the range.
Also, lest we forget; the number of models in the BMW catalog has increased more than exponentially – just like the size of the grills.
This however is not a BMW, it is an upmarket Nissan, from the Infiniti offshoot brand.
Infiniti uses ‘Q’ followed by ‘50’ or ‘60’ for the compact sedan or coupe, then adds an X if it’s an SUV and again the numbers illustrate if it’s the compact, mid-size or large SUV type: QX50, QX60, or QX80. Easy.
Although the name is not catchy - it has been updated for the 2022 model, and we see why it may be a new high for the brand and where it might leave a little to be desired.
2022 Infiniti QX50 Is Improved And More Capable
This time around, the QX50 – which took over from the frumpier EX around 2013 – is in its second generation.
Sharper styling set this apart from both its own lineage and the competition, and this has been continued for the latest models with some of the latest tech and a frugal-yet-powerful engine.
Competing with the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 plus many others, the Infiniti features a turbocharged 2-liter gasoline engine with around 270 hp / 280 lb-ft and technology called variable compression which is supposed to yield both power and economy.
Automatic is the way forward according to Infiniti – only an automatic CVT gearbox is available, which you may think is suitable for a luxury SUV (and you’d be right) but CVTs inherently make more noise than standard automatics or dual-clutch ones like VW Group’s DGT.
Driver assistance is all you’d expect from a 2022 luxury SUV – so everything is here with lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and much more, giving you stress-free driving on the freeway.
All-wheel drive is available as an option too - if you want to pay for it.
Infiniti QX50 Has Style, Equipment, And Comfort As Standard
On the inside, things are well-designed and modern, with standard equipment like heated seats, rain sensors, automatic lights, reversing camera (360 degrees) all being offered for nothing.
You need to pay for leather trim, but that will complement the heated seats nicely, going further up the trim levels you can have a heated steering wheel and even wood in the cabin, the sky is the limit.
With the necessary Apple Car Play and Android Auto, the car has everything you need (and everything available in its competitors too) with some extra style and individuality to make it stand out from the other compact SUVs in the crowd.
Aside from its style, which, let’s face it – as individual as it is, will still be fairly like a lot of other SUVs of its size – it has the engine with variable compression to help win it points over the others, offering slightly better economy than without.
The CVT is the inevitable downside, although it offers seamless gear changes it makes more noise; although it’s still found in other cars from many manufacturers, including the Subaru Impreza, Nissan Rogue, Honda Accord, and many, many more.
No car is going to please everyone, but this is going to please enough people.
If you can please some, a lot of the time, you’re on the right track.