Volume 15 Issue 1 » 61
2019 Infiniti QX50
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Arriving summer 2018, the all-new Infiniti QX50 is not only a
luxury crossover, but also the first production vehicle whose engine
will actively vary its compression ratio. The interior is what you would expect from a luxury vehicle with a
relatively commanding view of the road, Ultrasuede accents, hand-
stitched leather, and no less than four LCD screens.
In other words, this technological advancement saves you money
at the gas pump. The QX50’s 268-hp four-cylinder turbocharged
engine is 27 percent more efficient than a six-cylinder engine
with equivalent power. Dubbed VC-T - variable compression
turbocharged - this new engine is fitted with a continuously variable
transmission and feeds its power to all four drive wheels. Infiniti
claims a 0-97 km/hr time of 6.3 seconds, putting it in the ballpark
with its rivals. Within Infiniti’s own model range, the QX50 is one step up from
the entry-level QX30, and replaces the RWD-based processor
formerly known as the QX37. The 2019 QX50 is actually based on a
totally new architecture that was co-developed with Mercedes-Benz.
The company expects the QX50 to become its most popular model
in Canada, and therefore is offering five different trim levels to suit
varying tastes and budgets. The QX50 is also available with the
brand’s ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driver assist system.
Size-wise, measuring in at just over 185 inches from end to end,
the QX50 slots in at the larger end of the luxury compact crossover
segment. Cargo-volume numbers are near best-in-class levels, and a
sliding rear seat enhances cargo flexibility and passenger comfort.