2021 Infiniti QX50 Pros vs Cons
With over two decades in automotive experience, Norman Ruckpaul leverages his extensive background to help readers at Car Buying Strategies. His career in dealer management includes test driving and appraising hundreds of vehicles at the dealership level. At Car Buying Strategies, Norman uses his deep expertise of vehicle performance and shopping tactics to guide readers in selecting optimal cars and securing the best deals, while maintaining a customer-first philosophy.
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The 2021 Infiniti QX50 has the size that many consumers are looking for. Straddling the line between an SUV and a crossover, the QX50 has good versatility. It's equipped with many modern components to keep people safe and make everyday commutes more pleasant. Since the QX50 is an Infiniti, it has a lot of high-end amenities and a refined style that the brand is known for. All of these benefits, along with the fact that the QX50 is relatively affordable considering its luxury status, make the vehicle a smart buy.
What's New for 2021?
The QX50 first hit the market in 2019. It makes sense that there haven't been any significant changes so far, as the SUV is still gaining followers. What Infiniti has done for this model year is make little changes to the SUV that make it more completive with premium rivals. For instance, being able to act as a Wi-Fi hotspot is now a standard ability. On the Luxe trim, which is a step up from the base model, there are now heated seats in the front row and numerous driver-assist technologies.
Ten Reasons You May Like the 2021 Infiniti QX50 – The Pros
1. A Solid Powertrain
Under the hood of a new Infiniti QX50, there's a turbocharged two-liter engine. It can churn out 268 horsepower, giving the SUV a good amount of excitement. Torque is equally strong at 280 pound-feet. At all different speeds, drivers will have the power they need to feel confident. Recognizing that people have various preferences, Infiniti has put in a drive mode selector into this model. The default mode is Standard, but drivers can select from the Sport, Eco, or Personal modes, the latter of which is customizable.
2. Power Can Be Redistributed
With the Infiniti QX50, drivers have access to intelligent all-wheel drive for confident handling on slick roads. As conditions vary, so does power distribution between front and rear wheels - allowing the vehicle to make necessary adjustments depending on situations such as snow or ice. Allowing your car do some of the heavy lifting lets you focus solely driving with confidence and peace of mind that it has your back no matter what weather comes its way.
3. Stretch Out the Legs
Infiniti has designed their QX50 for a comfortable journey no matter the distance, equipped with roomy seating that offers 38.7 inches of legroom in the back and almost 40 inches up front to make sure all passengers are content during those long-haul trips.
4. Lots of Storage Space
SUV drivers rejoice - the Infiniti QX50 offers an impressive amount of storage space with over 31 cubic feet of cargo area behind its seats. And if that's not enough, a clever folding seat design can expand capacity to 65 cubic feet! Whether you need room for bikes or skis, this vehicle is ready to take on your biggest adventures.
5. Modern Lighting
The Infiniti QX50 is setting the standard with its uniquely edgy look and sleek design. Its expertly crafted head-to-tail LED lights offer unmatched visibility, day or night - allowing drivers to make an eye-catching statement wherever they go! Additionally, most trims come with front fog lights further increasing safety while driving in low light conditions.
6. High-Tech Exterior Features
The Infiniti SUV offers a range of features that go beyond the aesthetics to provide added convenience and visibility. Thanks to its power-operated liftgate, driver can now open their trunks with ease, while upgraded versions offer hands-free access. Heated side mirrors are also available for an enhanced view when maneuvering in tight spots - complete with reverse tilt down function - plus rain sensing wipers which activate automatically if needed.
7. Convenient Interior Amenities
Inside the cabin, there are many details that people will appreciate. Just getting in the vehicle and starting things up can be a nice experience since the QX50 has a smart key, welcome lighting, and a push button start. The climate system comes standard with two zones and can be upgraded to have three zones, and the available panoramic moonroof can easily be opened and closed. For those times when a 12-volt outlet is needed for power, people can use the ones in their center console or cargo area.
8. Premium Seating
Drivers can enjoy a variety of seating options with the QX50 as they ascend higher in trim levels. Starting at the Pure level, leatherette seats are standard and an upgrade to leather is possible on Essential; while Luxe offers plush quilted material for elevated style and Autograph takes it even further by introducing semi-aniline leather along with blue piping accents. Everyone benefits from 8 way power adjustable front seats that also boast lumbar support, perfect for those long drives ahead! And passengers get their own special luxury treat - rear reclining capability now built into all trims too.
9. Keeping Music Lovers Happy
While the Infiniti QX50 starts out with six speakers, it can get upgraded to have 16 Bose speakers. This advanced audio system includes a subwoofer, tweeters on the doors, and metallic speaker grilles. The result is a crisp and clear sound. To give people more listening options, Infiniti has made SiriusXM Radio a standard component, and of course, people can play their downloaded or streamed music using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
10. Protecting Passengers
All five trims of the Infiniti QX50 come with numerous advanced safety mechanisms. The QX50 can monitor its blind spots, predict forward collisions and engage emergency braking as necessary, warn drivers when they're veering out of a lane, alert people to the presence of rear cross traffic, and engage rear automatic braking to keep the Infiniti from backing up into an object. It can be very beneficial to have an extra pair of "eyes" looking out for drivers since problems can pop up at any moment.
Reasons You May Not Like the 2021 Infiniti QX50 – The Cons
1. Fuel Economy Not Great
Despite being a fresh entry to the market, the Infiniti QX50 falls short in fuel economy. On average, it earns an estimated 29 MPG on highways and 23 MPG in cities - scarcely better than its all-wheel equivalents at 28/22 (highway/city) miles per gallon. In comparison with other hybrid options offering significantly improved efficiency for customers today, these figures present only marginal appeal.
2. Regular Suspension
Luxury vehicles are renown for their ability to conquer the bumpiest of roads with ease, though in certain models such as the Infiniti QX50 this is not always achieved due to a lack of advanced components. This unfortunately can result in an underwhelming ride experience that fails to meet expectations set by its luxurious reputation.
3. No High-Performance Option
The QX50, with its first-class suspension and sleek interior detailing of the Autograph trim level may leave drivers feeling satisfied - that is until they consider other models boasting superior horsepower. With no high performance option available as an upgrade for Infiniti's top offering, customers' hopes of extra power beneath the hood could be dashed elsewhere.
How it Stacks Up to the Competition:
2021 Infiniti QX50 vs 2021 Acura RDX
In comparing the 2021 Infiniti QX50 and Acura RDX, shoppers will find both offer comparable power and premium features. However, those seeking more generous cargo space may be drawn to what the QX50 has to offer - from greater capacity with rear seats up or down as well as improved legroom for backseat passengers. And when it comes to budgeting for their new vehicle investment, buyers can also benefit from an edge in affordability that accompanies picking the Infiniti over its rival model – a deal-clincher not to miss out on.
2021 Infiniti QX50 vs 2021 Volvo XC60
Car buyers looking for a luxurious, high-end SUV experience have two compelling options in 2021: the Infiniti QX50 and Volvo XC60. Although both vehicles offer drivers an elite level of comfort and performance, their prices differ significantly - with higher trim levels commanding a greater cost from those who choose the XC60. In addition to price variances between these models, those selecting lower T5 trims on the Volvo will not enjoy as much horsepower power when compared to that found within the QX50 range.
Conclusion
A lot of people really want to drive luxury vehicles because of their overall style. For those types of consumers who want versatile models that aren't too bulky nor expensive, there's the 2021 Infiniti QX50. The QX50 has a timeless look to it, with tasteful exterior details and a sophisticated cabin. It's capable enough to make driving fun, and because there are five available trims, people can easily find a model that suits their preferences.
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