2023 Infiniti QX55

The trend of making coupe-like SUVs has picked up speed of late, and last year, Infiniti jumped on the bandwagon with the QX55 - a sloping-roof variant of the QX50 in the same vein as the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe or Audi Q5 Sportback. We're not sure the look is the best thing in the industry, but it seems to work to get buyer flocking in - but has Infiniti done enough with the QX55 to win over buyers from competitors? With a supremely quiet and comfortable cabin and a generous standard specification, the QX55 seems like a good value proposition. Except that it doesn't have much in the way of driving enjoyment and it isn't particularly practical. Still, it gets the same high-tech 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the QX50, producing 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The QX55 is well-built, stylish, and refined, but is that enough to make us fall in love with its odd body style?

The price of an Infiniti QX55 starts at $49,150 for the base Luxe, while the Essential will cost you $54,250. For the ultimate in the range, you'll want the Sensory model, which has an MSRP of $57,800. These prices exclude the $1,195 destination fee charged in the USA.

You only need to spend a few minutes behind the wheel of the QX55 to understand that this car has been set up for people looking for comfort, and not dynamic ability; the suspension is soft, and the car shows lots of lean when turning into fast corners. Most reviews of the Infiniti QX55 concur: the steering is overly light and does not offer much in the way of feedback to the driver. The variable compression engine does deliver a good punch, but it's nothing to write home about and suits the laid-back vibe of the QX55 perfectly. Add Infiniti's Body Motion Control system, and the QX55 becomes a great cruiser for long hours on the road. The quiet and refined cabin and semi-autonomous ProPILOT driving system also contribute to the serene nature of this car. If you're not fussed about excitement or wanting your SUV to give you a thrill here and there, you won't be disappointed.

In a segment where automakers have to go all out to draw in buyers, Infiniti has played it safe with the QX55 - sure, it ticks boxes for how it looks, performance, riding comfort, and a lovely cabin, but competitors leave the Infiniti QX55 in the dust. German rivals are much more entertaining and offer more performance to boot - and, arguably, better cabins. The QX50 it's based on is more practical, with more cargo space, so buyers are opting for the QX55 based on how it looks. Admittedly, it's easy on the eyes.

But it's a strange addition to the Infiniti stable - it wouldn't be particularly missed if it was removed from the lineup, at least for those who aren't looking for an automotive fashion accessory, in which case German coupe-like SUVs are even more appealing and come with the weight of brand legacy behind it. We wouldn't turn one down if it were gifted to us, but we'd test drive a few rivals before committing any money to buying one.

If we were walking into an Infiniti dealership to buy a compact crossover, we'd walk out with a QX50 over a QX55. It offers similar styling and greater practicality all for around $8k less. Even factoring in the QX55's standard AWD, the QX50 still represents a price saving. In our opinion, that money would be better spent stepping up to the larger QX60, not the smaller QX55. But if you absolutely had to have a QX55, we'd settle on the mid-tier Essential trim, since it features a few of the features from the top trim and has more customization available through the available add-ons. As described, a QX55 would run for around $55k.