2016 Infiniti QX50: Test Drive

New technologies Infiniti QX50.

Infiniti has recently released a new crossover Infiniti QX50, which is a direct competitor to Acura cars or Lexus. Immediately it should be noted that the competition is much less power crossovers. Including new crossover Infiniti has better efficiency. Initially, the novelty was positioned as a competitor to Porsche Macan, but we believe that this is a completely different category, and comparisons are not appropriate.

Infiniti claims that their company has established the world’s first crossover for the city. In their opinion, this model was the predecessor QX50 crossover EX35, which entered the market in 2007. Of course, such a statement is not true, but, nevertheless, we must admit that many of the ideas that are brought to the Japanese brand car market, releasing EX35, and became the main class SUV.

When the model EX35 entered the market, it created a furor among the public. But despite the beautiful appearance and a number of modern technologies, over time, this car was getting plenty of criticism for too little space for rear passengers. The fact that the rear-seat crossover were small, but the legroom was less than the C-Class cars.

That’s why Infiniti decided when designing the new generation of crossover into account all the shortcomings and all the criticism coming from the experts and customers.

As a result, the brand recently introduced a new generation EX35, which received a new designation QX50. As you can see Japanese premium crossover due to the new appearance of trying to escape from under the hand of Nissan. All this became possible thanks to the collaboration of Infiniti with Mercedes. In addition, seeing the first pictures of the new crossover you immediately struck by the increased dimensions of the body. This allowed the engineers to increase the space for rear passengers.

Appearance

When you look at the new 2016 Infiniti QX50, it becomes clear that the designers, engineers and designers have tried much of the Japanese brand, to try to get away from the appearance of the old generation of the crossover.

The truth is not quite turned out as expected fans of the car, but, nevertheless, the car still looks stylish and more modern. A similar venture at the time made with the new generations of Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Outback. And if Toyota RAV4 arranged a new look not all, the new style for the Infiniti QX50, we believe many will like.

When we look at the car attracts attention stylish new grille and bumper, which in combination provide design interesting luxury line.This crossover design with the front gives the car more emotional energy.

Wheels cars have classic-style notes, but, nevertheless, in conjunction with a new exterior look elegant.

Interior

Infiniti radically redesigned the two most important parts of the passenger compartment. This instrument panel and infotainment system, with clear image quality that is easy to read at any time. In addition, the interface control various functions more intuitive, making a bunch of man-machine almost perfect.

We can not say that the rest of the new design is a huge delight. But, nevertheless, even the abundance of retro style, does not spoil the interior of the car. Yes, it’s not a modern luxury interior, which in recent years began to appear even in the non-criminal cars, but all the same interior Infiniti QX50 made soundly and tastefully.

Special thanks to the seat crossover, which unlike most modern cars in this class (even in the premium), literally drowning and relaxing.

Sitting in the driver’s seat, you can feel like your back sinks into the soft seat, which is distributing the whole weight of your body, giving a feeling of lightness and unforgettable comfort. Although it should be noted that the lateral support of seats, too rigid and if the driver and front passenger have a great complexion, the rigid side support for the seats will only bring discomfort.

But the main feature of the interior of the car is to increase interior space. This was made possible by increasing the wheelbase (2880mm vs. 2800mm). As a result, the space for the rear passengers has increased by 10 cm.

In addition, for the convenience and comfort of the rear passengers rear seats equipped with an electric drive, which adjusts the backrest, changing the angle of inclination, and can move the seat forward and back, giving access to the trunk through the interior of the vehicle.

Of course with an increase in body size and wheelbase, the crossover of many fans would like to increase the amount of luggage. But a miracle in this regard has not happened. The main goal of the designers for new items was an increase of space for rear passengers, so the trunk did not pay special attention.

Technologies

The new crossover is equipped with standard security suites, which are equipped with in our time, this segment premium cars. So Infiniti QX50 received a warning system exit of the strip, a system for monitoring blind spots and collision avoidance systems.

During the test drive when checking autonomous collision avoidance systems, it was noted that the actual security technology protects against accident by emergency braking in case of danger.

True, we would like to note that in case of danger, it is better not to hope for the system, and it is better to take action, as this technology is, in principle, security is positioned as an aid to the driver, and not as a completely autonomous technology that allows the driver to not participate in the braking.

But, nevertheless, the system operates properly and clearly. Even if you do not press the brake pedal before the barrier, the technology in any case will do everything possible to mitigate the consequences of the accident.

Special attention is given video parking assist system in reverse.With 360 degree cameras are monitored rear of the machine. The image quality on the screen rearview normal and does not cause irritation at any time.

This was made possible thanks to high-quality LCD monitor with anti-glare technology, etc. That is not true of a small LCD screen, which is between the sensors dashboards. Unfortunately, the small screen is similar to the first color screen mobile phones Nokia.

Motor

During the presentation of the new crossover Infiniti company spokesman said that according to statistics 27 per cent of car buyers Infiniti, when choosing a machine guided power. That is, for these people the main selection criterion, it is a big power of the engine.According to a survey of Japanese brands, only 17 percent of buyers of other brands crossover vehicle into account when selecting the advantage of a powerful engine.

Of course, this information does not really bear any utility and nothing says. But this statement by the Infiniti says that the company wants to give us to understand that the new crossover model is positioned as having a sporty character.

And you can argue with that, but not necessary. After all, the car is equipped with a powerful 3.7 liter engine V6 power of 330 hp(VQ37VHR). However, there is still less powerful version with a 2.5 liter six-cylinder power unit capacity of 222 hp But our today’s article is devoted to the most powerful version, so the less powerful versions we will tell it some other time.

All are equipped with a four-wheel drive AWD and automatic transmission. So setting box mode “D” and pressing the pedal to the floor, the machine first issue is too much noise, and then rush to conquer the speed records. The good news is that a single box, which is equipped with a crossover became the 7-speed automatic transmission complete with manual shift function.

So you can not be afraid of that, buying Infiniti QX50, on it will not be very comfortable continuously variable automatic transmission, CVT, is installed in the Nissan. By the way we would like to note that the 7-speed gearbox is automatic mode “Sport”, which translates box in the maximum acceleration that enables 330-horsepower engine accelerates from 0-100 crossover km / h in 6.4 seconds.

But for those who like to drive the maximum you need to know what they will be up this style of driving Infiniti QX50. So, despite the new technology, a crossover in the city consumes 15.7 liters of fuel per 100 km on the highway 10l / 100km in the combined cycle and 12,1l / 100km.

That’s where the VQ V6 engine is really showing its age. After all, modern technology in the production of cars aimed at maximum efficiency. That’s it, and can not boast of Infiniti QX50.

But if you have excessive fuel consumption are not afraid, then you should know that with the flow you’re a frequent visitor to the gas station as the fuel tank of 80 liters is not comparable with a big appetite engine.

Clearance for the model 2016 has been raised by 2 centimeters. As a result, the 3.7-liter version of the QX50 clearance is 148.9 mm.Increased ground clearance has been made to provide an advantage over other competing crossover vehicles principally designed for urban use.

Thus, the company is trying to create Infiniti “middle ground” between sportiness and practicality of a crossover in the city. We, however, did not appreciate the advantages of the car contrast, since it has its pluses and minuses. But we do not argue that someone it will be important.

While driving QX50 mild and pleasant in all respects. The only negative crossover as we have said so in its economy. So, despite a number of advantages over its competitors Acura RDX and Lexus NX, in fuel efficiency compared with these machines QX50 can not compete.

So in any case, we hope that soon will be a hybrid version of the Infiniti, and then, of course, QX50 can compete for their share of customers who value efficiency in the premium crossover.

Of course, someone might say that those who will buy the 3.7 liter crossover may not be important is the fact of a large flow of fuel.Maybe so, but the fact is that if the buyer is not important economy, then such class drivers can simply buy a luxury German crossover and gain advantages in handling, power dynamics. Obviously, this will have to overpay. But for those who no matter how much the vehicle consumes, and we think we do not particularly important ultimate cost of the machine.

Outcome

Cost 2.5 liter version 2016 Infiniti QX50 starts at 1.82 million. Rubles.3.7 liter modification of course is more expensive. At the moment, yet powerful version is not officially sold in Russia. But, nevertheless, Infiniti is already taking pre-orders for those who want to buy a more powerful version.

We expect that the 3.7 liter version will be priced comparable to many less powerful classmates Lexus or Acura.

The fact that Infiniti plans to compete with other brands of pricing, offering for the same money or a little more than a more powerful premium crossover.

But in our view the main disadvantage is the fuel consumption of a vehicle. Also, do not forget that one of the downsides is a great vehicle tax in Russia on this machine because of the great power.We think not everyone even affluent buyers willing to throw every year for a decent amount of taxes for the car, which for example can not compete in many ways with the Porsche Macan, or other German brands.

However, we note that the partnership with Infiniti by Mercedes fruitful influence on the company. As a result of the partnership, we see how the new models began to appear, which may help the Japanese brand to regain its position at the car and make a new round of development.