Car History: Infiniti QX50
Nissan’s luxury car brand, Infiniti, has launched many luxury cars, from SUVs to sedans. Among them, Infiniti QX50, a luxury crossover SUV, is one of the most popular ones.
Beginning its journey as Infiniti EX-series: EX35 and EX37, the auto brand rebadged its entire lineup in 2013. That’s how the QX50 was born. The Infiniti QX50’s history spans three generations overall, and after renaming its lineup, two generations made their way to the market.
Let’s rewind to 2007, when Infiniti rolled out this luxury crossover SUV, and take a look at the detailed features and specifications of QX50 models in each generation.
Journey of the Infiniti QX50
Infiniti QX50’s history is a decade and a half old. It started with coupe-like rear styling. Currently, QX50 possesses a crossover car body style with a sleek exterior and comfortable interior. Infiniti designed the crossover similar to a station wagon and didn’t feature a rugged SUV look.
Let’s walk back to the start of the Infiniti QX50 and how it has evolved since its inception in 2007.
Infiniti EX (2007 to 2013)
Infiniti had a reputation for designing sports and luxury cars. Coming into the crossover segment, Infiniti combined its expertise in producing SUVs and sports cars to build its first-ever crossover, EX35 and EX37.
EX35 and EX37 boasted 3.5 and 3.7-litre V6 engines producing 297 and 320 hp and mated with five and seven-speed automatic transmissions, respectively. Moreover, both the Infiniti EX models came with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options.
At the front, the crossover featured headlights similar to the Infiniti G35 sedan, and the hood was longer to provide a sporty appearance. The rear fascia looked like a hatchback from some views and included sleek lines to enhance the aerodynamics.
In the interior, the Infiniti EX model has leather seats with premium stitching. The interior could seat four adults comfortably.
First Generation Infiniti QX50 (2013 to 2019)
After rebadging its entire lineup, EX got a new name, Infiniti QX50. Continuing its commanding position in Infiniti history, the QX50 came with the following engine lineup paired with all-wheel drive and 7-speed automatic transmission:
- 2.5-litre V6 engine generating 222 hp
- 3.7-litre V6 engine producing 334 hp
Infiniti QX50 models featured the iconic car front grille with a logo in between. Plus, the rear fascia gave a station wagon appearance.
For the first time in the Infiniti QX50’s history, the crossover came with many technological features and inevitable comfort. Power-heated leather seats, leather-wrapped armrests, cup holders, voice control and connectivity features, such as Bluetooth, enhanced the user experience.
Power seats had memory settings. Alongside, the crossover also featured an intelligent braking assist (IBA).
First Generation Infiniti QX50 Facelift (2016)
Infiniti refreshed the QX50’s design in its facelift launched in 2016. The wheelbase was increased by 88 millimetres. Additionally, the overall vehicle length increased by 115 millimetres.
Facelifted Infiniti QX50 models included the same 3.7-litre V6 engine. Meanwhile, the 2.5-litre V6 engine was discontinued. The front fascia was lower than the predecessors, and the interior had more head and legroom.
Second Generation Infiniti QX50 (2019 to Present)
In 2018, Infiniti introduced the second-generation QX50 for the 2019 model year. It featured a more dynamic and sporty appearance with the same powerful performance.
Inside the hood, a new 2.0-litre engine paired with the continuously variable transmission was installed for the first time in the history of the Infiniti QX50. It boasted 268 horsepower and was available in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive options. Plus, it was a revolutionary change as the crossover featured a variable compression (VC) engine.
The exterior was sportier and sleeker as the rear fascia featured a car spoiler. At the front, a 3D-meshed car grille enhanced the crossover’s appearance.
Moreover, Infiniti QX80 models featured i-LED adaptive headlights that changed the direction as the driver steered the car left or right. Taillights also got a refreshed design, and new alloy wheels were light and reduced the vehicle’s curb weight.
The interior included hand-stitched leather seats with diamond stitches. Besides, the latest infotainment system was more user-friendly since it featured easy navigation and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Refreshed Second Generation Infiniti QX50 Facelift (2021)
Infiniti launched the refreshed QX50 for the 2021 model year. Its design gave a compact SUV appearance. Moreover, design and technology improvements enhanced the overall appearance and driving experience.
Featuring the same 2.0-litre engine, the all-new 2022 Infiniti QX50 focuses on driver-centric systems and technology. The QX50 models have a digital instrument cluster alongside two touchscreens.
While the car offers a powerful road drive, it also saves fuel with cutting-edge technology used in the engine and reduced weight. The new headlight design with LED daytime running lamps is also among the intriguing features.
That was a revisit to the Infiniti QX50’s history and its evolution with modern technology and features. Plus, it’s an interesting fact about Infiniti that its car models became part of movies and tv-series. Among these car models, Infiniti QX50 was on the screens in the ‘Avengers: Infinity War’.
If the crossover’s history has caught your attention, you can add it to your car collection by exploring the used Infiniti QX50s for sale in the UAE. You can also browse the listings of used cars for sale in the UAE and find a perfect drive for yourself.
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