2018 Infiniti QX50 Release date, Price, Redesign, Interior, New Engine

The 2017 Detroit Auto Show brought many surprises and the 2018 Infiniti QX50 was one of them. It dragged a lot of attention during the show and the Japanese automaker can be very satisfied. The new model has brought some improvements such as the new VC-Turbo compression ratio engine. The revolutionary technology is the biggest improvement this year, but it’s not the only one. Generally, the vehicle looks more muscular and has some new design features. In this review, we tried to summarize the main aspects of the compact luxury crossover and gather all pros and cons in one place.

2018 Infiniti QX50 Release Date and Price

Even though the 2018 Infiniti QX50 is a luxury compact SUV, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. The base model costs around $35,000 which are a fair price and above the average in this class of SUV’s. The new Infiniti is expected to hit the market sometime in early 2018 with the official unveiling being expected by the end of 2017.

Concept and History

The successor of the Infiniti EX was named as one of the top 10 luxury SUV’s three years in a row according to the GQ magazine. A five-door crossover was unveiled in 2013 and went on sale a year later. The following model got several updates such as LED daylight running lights and panoramic glass roof and the sale in the US started in 2016.

The second generation was presented in the same year, first in Beijing and then in Paris, while the new concept debuted in Detroit this year. The new concept is based on the Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration and, tell you the truth, and there are no many updates and improvements. However, you will be thrilled with the new engine.

Engine and Fuel Economy

What is the fuss all about? Well, if you were reading carefully you could notice we mentioned the new compression ratio engine. This is the biggest advantage of the 2018 Infiniti QX50, and the engine is in the center of all discussions regarding this crossover. A 2.0-litre inline-four is placed under the hood with a compression ratio between 8:1 and 14:1. According to the several sources, the output is 268 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque, and that is 27% more efficient than a comparable V6. The drive mode is switched to front wheels while the all-wheel drive should come as an option. This engine is a giant step forward and it will be interesting to see how it will develop further.
This engine definitely has some advantages and fuel efficiency is one of them. According to Nissan’s announcements, fuel consumption is rated at 21/31 mpg. Thanks to these figures it will have a slight advantage over the rivals. The 2.0-liter is the only engine for the 2018 model, and there won’t be optional units.

Exterior Review

Regarding design, the 2018 Infiniti QX50 is identical to the QX Sport Inspiration. Well, it’s not completely identical, but it is hard to tell the difference between these two on the first sight. The size of the car and the shape is the same, as well as headlights which use LED technology. On the front fascia, two things are different: grille and bumper. The bumper has redesigned air vents and fog lights, while the grille has a different mesh. On the sides, there won’t be cameras this time, only mirrors.

Interior of 2018 Infiniti QX50

The interior also takes after the QX Sport Inspiration, but there are again few differences. Seats don’t resemble, but upholstery stays the same. They are wrapped in leather as well as door trims and steering wheel. Steering wheel will not have a flat model, opposed to the QX Sport Inspiration. The cabin is equipped with all standard features: wide touchscreen, navigation, HMI, top-notch audio system and much more. There are also lots of drive support technologies, for example, Active Lane Control and Direct Adaptive Steering.

2018 Infiniti QX50
Dimensions And Weight
Wheelbase	113.4 inch
Length	186.8 inch
Height	62.7 inch
Width	71.0 inch
Weigh	4020 lbs
Engine And Transmission
Engine type	Variable Compression-Turbocharged
Displacement	3.7-liter
Power/torque	268 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Performance
0-60 mph/	/
Top speed	/
PRICE RANGE: starting at $35,000 (est)
*Competitors: BMW X3, Cadillac XT5, Mercedes GLC-class, Jaguar F-Pace, Audi Q5*