2022 Infiniti QX55 Review: A First Drive Adventure
The 2022 Infiniti QX55 is a new crossover coupe with sharp looks, wireless Apple Carplay, all-wheel drive and available ProPILOT Assist.
After the 2022 QX55 arrived at my apartment, I set out on an adventure to make the most of my 24 hours with the crossover. A crossover coupe is an SUV with a roofline and styling that more closely mirrors that of a two-door car, without losing the convenience of an SUV.
The 2022 Infiniti QX55 is available to reserve now through Infiniti, starting at $46,500.
The Dynamic Sunstone Red exterior and bold styling drew eyes as I met to check out my dad from the hospital when I was told to keep it under the speed limit. Clearly, he didn't lose a step after surgery. After taking delivery of the QX55, and deciding this vehicle needed more than a typical drive route, I made plans to meet someone new in Columbus, Ohio.
With sage fatherly advice in mind, and also a sense of adventure, I paired my iPhone to the QX55's wireless Apple CarPlay, plugged in a new address and hit the road. The two displays on the QX55 allowed me to see Google Maps on the top screen and then music information on the bottom screen. I do wish the lower screen offered a higher resolution and more functionality, but it is handy.
The 16-speaker Bose Performance sound system is one of the best I've heard in an SUV. While Volvo still has an edge, Infiniti and Bose did a wonderful job of delivering a stereo that sounds great even at high volumes. I especially appreciate the capability to carry sound from left to right through the cabin during the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and the overall range while listening to "We're Good" by Dua Lipa. I enjoyed singing along to the music as I cruised down the interstate and onto a state route toward a first date.
Multiple drive modes allowed me to adjust the driving dynamics. At the start of the trip, I tested sport mode, which tightens up the steering, stiffens the suspension and increases the throttle response. This is a noticeable change, but the QX55 is channeling the Infiniti FX in looks more than in performance with this new iteration.
The standard drive mode is comfortable and great for a longer trip on the highway. The QX55 is rated of 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.
Overall handling is good, and it was easy to navigate the tight spaces of a parking garage and a crowded parking lot. On the highway, road noise was minimal. The ProPILOT Assist feature is wonderful for long trips. I set the cruise control speed and enabled steering assist once on the highway, and the QX55 kept me with the flow of traffic and helped keep me centered in my lane. This is not an autonomous driving mode, but it is very useful for long trips by removing the need for micro-corrections as you drive. At the end of the round trip, I had more energy than if I'd driven a vehicle without this type of feature.
The 2022 QX55 interior is spacious and nicely appointed. The graphite interior on my loaner was stylish with a mix of soft-touch materials, stitching, chrome and accent trim.
The back seat offers enough room for adult passengers, and the second row slides easily to choose between more space for passengers or for cargo. The rear seat features charging ports and separate temperature controls. Infiniti blends the hatch release into the Infiniti badge on the lift gate, which is a nice touch. While I didn't need it on this short trip, there is room for a full Costco run or for luggage for a weekend getaway.
I used the wireless Apple CarPlay option to stream music, get directions, text and make calls while on the road. The system also supports Android Auto, though not wirelessly. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay show up on the top screen. This upper screen looks great for these connected-car options. The lower screen is handy for seeing secondary information, like what song is playing, but I would like to see more alternatives. This second screen is also lower resolution. Overall the tech is good, but Infiniti could step it up with a nicer-looking second display and a refreshed look for the software.
An optional Head-Up Display shows important information like speed while you're looking out at the road. Standard safety features like Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Rear Automatic Braking, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert made the trip easier. The headlights are bright, and the automatic bright option proved useful on desolate stretches of road.
As it turns out, this was the start of more than just a 24-hour adventure.
2022 Infiniti QX55 Review
Infiniti provided Newsweek with the vehicle, a gift certificate for a meal, insurance and a full tank of gas for the purpose of this review. Opinions are our own.
