Is the 2022 Infiniti QX55 the next incarnation of the sedan despite it being sold as a crossover? Well, it sure as heck should be! Just look at it! The low-slung roofline and that pseudo lip on the trunk all scream raised sedan. Think of cars like the Volvo S60 Cross Country and the fourth-generation Subaru Outback sedan, which was essentially a Legacy with a raised suspension, and you’ll see the similarities between in and the QX55. One big difference is that the Infiniti QX55 has a liftgate instead of a conventional trunk, making it more practical and versatile than your average sedan despite its coupe-y looks. From the front, the QX55 looks just like the QX50. Once you get past the B-pillar, the roofline sweeps down dramatically to create that stylish silhouette.
Step inside the 2022 Infiniti QX55 and you’ll find a cabin similar to the more practical QX50. That means the QX55 sports the same dual-display layout featuring an 8.0-inch main touchscreen on top and a 7.0-inch unit just below it for functions like climate controls and settings. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are displayed on the upper screen meaning you’ll be able to jump between the two interfaces seamlessly.
You get less rear headroom due to that low roofline while legroom is generous. Although cargo capacity is reduced versus the QX50, it’s not as much you think because the QX55 still has generous interior space. The split-folding second row, which also reclines, adds extra flexibility.
According to Infiniti, the QX55 pays homage to one of the original sporty crossovers, the FX, a model that helped put Nissan’s luxury division on the map during the early 2000s. Does it really though? Unlike the rear-drive-based FX, the QX55 is front-drive-based but it wears wide tires regardless of the version you get.
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbo-four that can vary its compression ratio coupled to a CVT automatic. With 268 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, there’s plenty of power on tap. It will, however, feel different because the transmission imitates gears and the engine constantly changing its ratios. The steer-by-wire system also adds to the QX55 feeling less traditional. While precise, some have declared it video game-like but for most, it’ll operate just like your typical electric power steering system.
Think of the new crop of coupe-like crossovers as the reinvention of the sedan. The 2022 Infiniti QX55 is now part of that growing crop, which includes the coupe versions of Mercedes-Benz’s GLC- and GLE-Class, the BMW X2, X4, and X6, and Audi’s Q5 Sportback, e-tron Sportback, Q8, and the upcoming Q4 e-tron Sportback.
The added style, however, will cost you because these less practical variants are more expensive and/or have more standard equipment. In some cases, they’re also sportier and more fun to drive. In the case of the QX55, it’s essentially a more stylish QX50 that somehow manages to keep the hit in practicality minimum. Think of it more as a styling statement. If you’re looking for something more fun to drive, you may want to look at other options like the Acura RDX.
0 to 60: 6.3 seconds
60 to 0: 112 feet
Handling: B
Ride: A-
Cabin Noise: A; 71 dB
Fuel Economy: B+