Why is the Infiniti QX50 so disliked?
The one that was supposed to be the savior of the Infiniti brand hasn't been as successful as expected, remaining far in the shadow of other compact luxury SUVs on the market. Please note: we're talking about the current-generation QX50, launched in the 2019 model year, not the former EX35, renamed QX50 in 2014 and stretched to 2017.
It has appeared in the last two annual rankings of the vehicles with the lowest satisfaction ratings according to the American magazine Consumer Reports - in other words, those whose owners would least like to buy them again.
But why? The Infiniti QX50 is a handsome SUV with a welcoming, well-finished interior and a comfortable ride. What's wrong with it?
On the whole, most buyers don't feel they're getting their money's worth, and the QX50 causes them more problems and frustration than just about any other competitor. Many complain of assembly quality that doesn't live up to expectations, a lack of space in the front seats, and controls that are sometimes complicated and distracting to use. The multimedia system doesn't help either.
Much of the QX50's disappointing character stems from its turbocharged powertrain, which struggles to live up to its promises in terms of performance and fuel economy. Billed as the world's first variable-compression engine, with a ratio varying from 8:1 to 14:1, the four-cylinder VC-Turbo promised to combine the performance of a turbocharged engine with the frugality of a diesel.
Power is rated at 268 hp at 5,600 rpm, and a maximum torque of 280 lb-ft is obtained between 1,600 and 4,800 rpm. Yet the engine is rather noisy under hard acceleration, handicapped by a continuously variable automatic transmission that is not very responsive even though eight gears are “programmed” into its operating mode, undermining some of the QX50's driving pleasure.
Finally, fuel consumption ratings have increased over the years, from an average of 9 L/100 km in 2019 to 9.7 L/100 km in 2024. Strange, since the vehicle hasn't changed fundamentally. It should also be pointed out that premium gasoline is recommended, if not essential, for optimum performance and long-term health of the VC-Turbo engine, which increases the bill.
At the very end of last year, we learned that numerous complaints in the USA from owners of Nissan Rogues (which use a three-cylinder version of the VC-Turbo) had forced the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to open an investigation. The automaker says it has modified its engine during production, improving the quality of the crankshaft bearings, but no recall or service bulletin has yet been issued.
In short, take the time to test-drive a pre-owned QX50 and learn about its history before you buy, so you know what you're getting into. Be warned, too, that depreciation is higher than the average for other compact luxury SUVs.
