If we’ve learned anything at all from High School Musical (the film or the series, whichever you prefer), let it be that the status quo is boring. The jock can be an amazing chef, the nerd can be an awesome dancer, and the shy kid can be the most influential student.
And in sticking with the theme of breaking free from the status quo, automobiles have long been trying to branch out with new concepts and weird gear selectors.
Furthermore, if the Kia Carnival can be an SUV-shaped minivan, then sure, the 2022 Infiniti QX55 can be a coupe-styled SUV — because who wants to be stuck in one category? Besides, it’s not a new concept: think of the Mercedes GLE Coupe and the BMW X6, SUVs which also cross over into smaller territory. In fact, as Driving’s Graeme Fletcher pointed out in his First Drive of the QX55 last year, “The look was inspired by the original FX that debuted almost twenty years ago; it introduced the world to the notion of a ‘couped’ crossover.”
Regardless, it’s the first time I’ve been in a coupe-y SUV, and quite frankly, if I had to bet on it, I thought I would walk away from this $60,998 vehicle disappointed (the base trim starts at $51,995). Instead, I was quite pleased — this could be the start of something new and potentially just what I’ve been looking for.
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
Work This Out
Sure, it’s smaller than the average SUV, but it’s supposed to be. It doesn’t have a lot of room for children in the back seat, but again, it’s not meant to haul families. And as a mom of three, I don’t mind; I’m always looking for an excuse to leave the kids at home.
During an outing with my youngest and husband, we decided to put the child seat behind the front passenger’s seat, but quickly realized we’d have more space if we had put it behind the driver’s seat. In our failed attempt at maximizing space, the car seat had forced the passenger all the way forward, leaving very limited space up in front. However, since I’m short and drive fairly close to the wheel, my husband had enough space to sit behind me.
On the flip side, if the car seat was behind me, his long legs would fit in the front passenger’s area. However, that leaves limited space in the seat behind, meaning there would probably be some squished legs back there, again circling back to it not being a family hauler.
The trunk space, however, is glorious! The second row reclines and can be moved back and forth, but apart from testing its function, we didn’t move it forward due to an already cramped back seat. Still, if you happen to need more trunk space, it’s an option. I don’t often advocate for less cargo space, but I wouldn’t object to intruding a few centimetres into the trunk if it improved that second-row legroom.
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
What Time Is It?
It doesn’t matter because it’s not summer, summer, summer…
Regardless of time or season, the QX55 is a smooth and quiet drive, and extremely easy to forward or reverse park. The driver’s seat is comfy but also somewhat hard, in a good way. It’s comparable to a firm mattress, which is totally acceptable when driving, but while sitting outside and waiting in a parking lot for an hour, it was unusually uncomfortable — though, in its defence, sitting in any one spot for too long is generally unpleasant.
We’re All in This Together
Despite astronomically high gas prices, the QX55 returns a combined 9.5 L/100 km, which is decent fuel consumption for a vehicle of this size.
Standard safety features include forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic alert. Rear parking sensors are also standard, but only the top two trims are equipped with front parking sensors and Around View monitor with moving object detection. This Sensory trim also features ProPILOT assist.
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
You Are the Music in Me
There are two separate touch screens in the middle. The top screen is mainly for navigation and reverse cameras, while the lower one services the radio, climate controls, system settings, and pretty much everything else. At first glance, it seems odd that there would be two screens; why not one big screen (like Tesla), or one smaller one that houses everything? However, the separate screens work. Instead of digging into layers of options on one screen, you can find most of what you need on either display.
There’s also a CD player for the minimal amount of people who still use it (me), but however you choose to listen, crank up the volume to take advantage of the Bose audio system that features 16 speakers.
2022 Infiniti QX55 Photo by Renita Naraine
A Night Crossover to Remember
From the outside, it’s a fairly typical SUV in size, despite its modern and sleek look that was inspired by something a lot older. These specific types of cars always catch my eye, because it looks like a coupe on steroids. However, it’s still a bit cramped on the inside, there isn’t even space for a wireless charger in the front cabin (though they did manage to fit a CD player) and there’s limited legroom in the back.
If I didn’t have kids to fit into the back, I could get used to this fabulous car, right here, right now. But if it’s a now or never type of deal, then I gotta go my own way and find something that better suits my lifestyle; something bigger, and probably less expensive. For anyone looking for a $50-60k coupe-shaped SUV that won’t get much action in the limited space in the back, this is a great option.
GO WILDCATS!
Keyword: Millennial Mom’s Review: 2022 Infiniti QX55