Design Director Alfonso Albaisa introduced the 2016 Infiniti QX50, the brand's new face for the hottest segment in the luxury market: compact crossovers.
You can’t tell the players without a scorecard, or so they once said about baseball. But that also applies to the line-up at Infiniti. The maker migrated to a new nomenclature a couple years back, complicating the process by adding a number of new models like the upcoming QX30 – which will be shown in concept form at this year’s New York International Auto Show.
Also making its debut is the newly updated Infiniti QX50 – which that scorecard might tell you was previously known as the EX35. It was one of the first entries into what has today become the hottest segment in the luxury market, the compact crossover.
The model not only has a new name but also gets some significant updates for 2016, adding 3.2 inches to its wheelbase and plenty of additional room to its interior. It also gets a revised exterior that brings it more in line with the rest of Infiniti’s newest models.
“Even as Infiniti is getting ready to significantly expand its product portfolio in the next few years,” said Randy Parker, vice president of Infiniti Americas, “we’re also making significant enhancements to our current line-up.”
The QX50 is part of a larger product renaissance within Infiniti's portfolio.
The 2016 Infiniti QX50 now has a 113.4-inch wheelbase, while overall length grows 4.5 inches, to 186.8. The math whizzes have figured out that translates into an extra 8.3 cubic feet of interior space, most of it coming in the back row. Meanwhile, ground clearance jumps by anywhere from 0.4 to 0.8 inches, depending on whether you’re in a rear- or all-wheel-drive model.
One of the first crossovers to adopt a coupe-like shape – something that is today increasingly common – what is now known as the QX50 boasts large L-shaped headlamps with new LED daytime running lights. An adaptive xenon front lighting system is available.
(Infiniti QX30 concept makes its Geneva debut. For more, Click Here.)
The 2016 model also features a high-mounted rear hatchback spoiler and chrome-tipped exhaust pipes.
Inside, the 2016 Infiniti QX50 features what the maker calls its “double-wave” instrument panel with high-contrast, easy-to-read gauges and a seven-inch color touchscreen. There’s an eight-way power driver’s seat and a four-way power front passenger seat.
(Click Here for details about Mazda’s new 2016 Miata MX-5.)
All 2016 Infiniti QX50 models will be powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 making 325 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque.
The infotainment system offers not just mapping but real-time traffic and weather updates. There’s voice recognition and Bluetooth audio streaming, as well. The QX50 gives buyers a four-year, no-charge Personal Assistant for service requests ranging from weather forecasts to hotel and dinner reservations.
All 2016 Infiniti QX50 models will be powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 making 325 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a seven-speed automatic with manual shift mode. Intelligent all-wheel-drive is optional.
(To see more about Scion’s new iA and iM, Click Here.)
Safety features include a 360-degree around-view monitor, Vehicle Dynamic Control and Intelligent Cruise Control.