SUVs are the new norm but how about coupe-SUVs? Yes, they are seamlessly attractive vehicles for whom practicality and sleek coupe-like design matter. Infiniti recently launched a more advanced and more performance-centric SUV which is heavily based on the entry-level QX50 but has a higher price tag (of course), is more coupe-like, has engine hardware and software refinements, has more standard features, and of course a better interior experience including a refined ride quality. But that makes the QX50 inferior, right? Not exactly. The QX50 is a proper compact SUV with a lot of “goods” for the price like its meticulously crafted cabin, loads of features on offer, and everything feels right except for the dual infotainment displays which might be fiddly to use on the go. For the 2022 model year, Infiniti has added the ProPilot Assist suite for all the trims, made wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility too, and a few added features sprinkled across all five trims. So if both of them have already impressed you, which one would be your pick?

How different are they in terms of the overall looks?

The first notable difference between the two would be how sportier the QX55 is than the mainstream QX50. Both sportier and aggressive, we would say. The front of the new QX55 looks sharp with a bigger intake grille along with the mesh design on it. The fake side vents are more prominent along with more cuts along the sides. The QX50, on the other hand, has the more subtle but attacking looks but we would rate the newer QX55 for being a more option between the two. You would see the differences more if you get to the sides. The sloping roofline, slightly raised tail, and sportier wheels make the differences heavier. Under the skin, both of the siblings are very similar. So you are looking at a similarly sized 110.2-inch wheelbase, the same 8.6-inch ground clearance, and even the same width of 74.9-inches. The differences lie in the curb weight which makes the QX50 a bit lighter than the coupe-like QX55 with the former being slightly taller. The new QX55 is also longer than its elder brother and that makes a lot of sense, hence the coupe-SUV claim.

2022 Infiniti QX55 vs 2022 Infiniti QX50 Exterior Dimensions

How does the cabin look and feel?

We couldn’t find any noticeable difference in both the luxury SUVs except for the cabin color profiles, materials used, and the spaciousness, of course. Both the SUVs have a great interior look and feel, and it is nice to see how Infiniti is trying to stir a few heads off the popular German offerings like the BMW X4 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. But it is still years behind the cutting-edge tech like the absence of a fully digital instrument console which the thriving competition offers along with a big infotainment screen.

The instant feel after getting inside the cabin would be the headroom and that the QX55 has about an inch less on the front, and it's down by about two inches in the rear. The shoulder and legroom stay the same, thankfully. But taller passengers might get a creak on the back which is why coupe-SUVs look good but feel average in the rear, thanks to its sloping roofline. Another noticeable difference is in the cargo capacity where you will get a slightly better 31.4 cubic feet with the QX50 while the QX55 has only 26.9 cubic feet.

It seems that the former is more practical and family friendly while the other one looks and feels sporty but cuts out the front and rear headroom along with a slightly smaller boot. A few of the common interior features are as follows:

- Keyless/remote ignition.

- Dual-zone automatic climate control.

- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with multi-level heating options.

- Power-adjustable steering column.

- Leather upholstery.

- 8-way power-adjustable front seats with multi-level heating options.

- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

- 8-inch upper and 7-inch lower touchscreen infotainment display.

2022 Infiniti QX55 vs 2022 Infiniti QX50 Interior Dimensions

How different are they in terms of performance?

Under the hood, both engines are the same VC-Turbo or variable-compression turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. This four-pot mill is said to deliver punchy performance and a good fuel economy at the same time, but the whole thing is overhyped. Both the engines can put out the same 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet while ringing the engine hard. The QX50 comes standard with FWD whereas the QX55 is only available in AWD. Now, the changes are seen with the torque converter automatic gearbox added to the fresh new QX55 while the regular crossover uses a more conventional CVT. The torque converter along with a transmission software update will make the QX55 feel peppier off the line. How do all of these translate to real-world tests?

Well, the QX55 is 0.1 seconds faster in both the knot to 60 and standing quarter-mile timings, no huge deal to be honest. Car and Driver tested both of them and the results are not something that will convince you to go for the QX55. If you want to talk about fuel economy, they both are very similar but the QX50 has an edge by a mile per gallon because of its availability with FWD, unlike the QX55 which comes equipped with AWD only. In fact, according to the EPA, the QX55’s mileage figures match the QX50 AWD.

2022 Infiniti QX55 vs 2022 Infiniti QX50 Performance Stats

Are both of them safe to recommend?

Yes, of course. We mean both of them are heavily equipped with advanced driver assistance features like forward collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot intervention. Not all of them are available as standard but are plentiful. The latest iteration of the QX50 has scored a 5-star rating in the tests conducted by the NHTSA whereas the new QX55 has not been thoroughly tested and thus has a 5-star rating in the Frontal Crash category. We have known Nissan and Infiniti cars which are not on the softer side. They are built to last and most importantly, they have a relatively cheaper cost of ownership than some other foreign brands.

Should you consider either of these two?

While they look and feel slightly different, they both are just the same under the skin. It is a good thing that Infiniti is trying and catching up with the latest trend and tech. If you already made it here then we are sure that you like them both. We do too but, if you prefer comfort and practicality over style then the Infiniti QX50 would be the perfect fit for you. Otherwise, the QX55 is a serious looker, is loaded better, and of course, is a few thousand dollars pricier. There are a few other options if you look out the whole Infiniti range like the BMW X3 or the X4, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, and the Volvo XC60 are available offering similar or even better specs. But both the Infinitis offer more bang for the buck, something most of the thriving Japanese automakers are known for.