2022 Infiniti QX55 AWD First Drive

Fastback SUVs are all the rage and the 2022 Infiniti QX55 AWD is one of the latest. Considered a compact-sized crossover, the QX55 was introduced in mid-2021 as a 2022 model. Napleton News had a chance to give it a go and we came away impressed. Here’s our report.

Comes with good bones.

The 2022 Infiniti QX55 AWD comes from good bones. In this case, those bones come from the Infiniti QX50, which was new in 2019. Surprisingly, it seems much more luxurious than others in the fleet. It rides on a unibody platform, seats four comfortably and five in a pinch. Available trim levels range from the QX55 Luxe, the mid-level QX55 Essential and the highline QX55 Sensory.

Power for the Infiniti QX55 comes from a single source. In this case, it’s the one that also powers the QX50. We’re talking about the Infiniti VC-Turbo 2.0-liter inline-4, making 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It receives a power boost from its variable compression functionality and seemingly punches above its weight class.

All-wheel drive is a part of every QX55. So too, a continuously variable automatic transmission. If we had a quibble, it would be in the area of fuel economy. That pegs in at 25 average, with 22 city / 28 highway. That’s fair at best.

Appearances matter.

The Infiniti QX55 is a good-looker from every angle. The front clip takes on the appearance of an anime fish with its gaping maw ready to suck in every last molecule of oxygen that comes its way. A clamshell hood seals the front end and leads the eyes down to the wheel wells’ cladding. LED lighting has an appearance that looks life-like and features functionality allowing it to turn in the direction of a turn. Below them lie foglights that are at the ready for inclement weather. Remember to turn them off where there is no fog. You’re welcome.

A creased line runs from the hood up to the rear shoulders of the QX55. It’s clean but adds character to the overall look. The curved cabin offers a fast look but may cut into the headroom of some taller passenger types. We all suffer for our fashion, though.

A look inside the 2022 Infiniti QX55 AWD.

Outfitted for five, there is good seating from nearly every position inside the QX55. The front row includes Zero Gravity seating; Since ours was an Essential trim model, it featured heated and ventilated front seats. We are all-aboard for ventilation, but we loved the heated function during an unseasonably chilly Monday morning in South Florida.

The second-row bench seat can slide fore and back up to six inches to maximize legroom or cargo capacity, up to 26.9 cubic feet. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are here as part of the QX’s tech suite, including a 16-speaker Bose Premium Sound System and active noise cancellation. Convenience features are also along for the ride. These include a power moonroof, power liftgate, an around-view monitor and an available head-up display.

The Infiniti QX55 includes laminated side glass to keep the interior quiet. It results in a quiet experience, except under the hardest acceleration. At that point, the engine may take on a more aggressive note.

Behind the wheel of the QX55.

Readers who have spent time behind the wheel of the Infiniti QX50 will find a familiar comfort behind the wheel of the QX55. That’s because they share a platform and powertrain. There are several drive modes available that tailor the Q to various situations. These include Eco, which helps save fuel and sport, which firms things up and remaps the throttle. Standard mode is right in the middle and makes for an excellent set-it-and-forget-it mode that is good for everything from around-town driving to a cross-country excursion.

Steering is suitable for most situations and offers a good, firm feel that gives a driver confidence for any situation. All-wheel drive provides a good grip for roads that are slippery or snowy. It’s good to have full-time AWD on a vehicle like the Infiniti, but we would avoid trying to tackle any severe off-roading with it.

If there were a shortcoming to this Infiniti, we would say it’s in the engine room. We aren’t hot rodders per se, but we would love a few more ponies from this turbo four-cylinder.

2022 Infiniti QX55 AWD SPECIFICATIONS

	2022 Infiniti QX55 AWD
Popular Powertrains
Engine Type	2.0-Liter turbo inline-4 cylinder
Horsepower	268 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
Torque	280 LB-FT @ 1,600-4,800 rpm
Transmission	CVT automatic
Fuel Economy	25 mpg (22 city/28 hwy)
Suspension	MacPherson Strut front/Multi-link rear suspension
Turning Circle	36.4 ft.
Also Available
Specs
Warranty	4 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	6 years/70,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	5-star Frontal Collision
Max Seating Capacity	5
Wheelbase	110.2 inches
Overall Length	186.3 inches
Width	74.9 inches
Height	63.8 inches
Cargo Room	26.9 / 54.1 Cubic Feet
Headroom, Front	39.9 inches
Headroom, Rear	36.9 inches
Legroom, Front	39.6 inches
Legroom, Rear	38.7 inches
Shoulder, Front	57.9 inches
Shoulder, Rear	57.1 inches