It’s interesting to see what models paved the way for others to come along and participate in the luxury crossover SUV game.  The QX50 was one of the first compact versions made and was first offered as the EX.  This model, while a great first offering did not get the respect or success it should have as others like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK quickly overshadowed this small beauty that was just trying to break ground.  New for 2016 the QX50 rights and wrongs that were in place before and gives us a fantastic small luxury crossover SUV to enjoy driving as a better choice than many of the others on the market.

When you want a great looking compact luxury SUV at the right price this is the one to choose.  There are features galore in this little beauty and it comes with one of the most powerful engines in the class and at a great price.  Not only do you get the price and engine but this is a rear-wheel drive beauty that lets you enjoy what driving should be about.  The changes for this year include an increased length by 4.5 inches and more leg room for the rear seating area.  To go along with this the front and rear have improved and the ground clearance has increased some to be higher and more enjoyable.

I said you could get the QX50 for a great price and at a base price of only $35,445 you won’t find any other luxury SUV that starts out this low.  Adding the Premium Package only increases this price by $500 and the AWD is $1,400 to have a bit more control.  Load up the QX50 and you might think it will be more in line with the rest but that wouldn’t be true either.  You still barely reach into the mid-$40,000 range with a loaded up version of this SUV, making for a great vehicle at a fantastic price.

Did I mention it has a powerful V6 engine?  If not, well it does and that V6 is a 3.7-liter model that brings in a full 325 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque.  While other compact crossover SUVs are moving to smaller engines this one stays at the V6 level and is attached to a smooth seven-speed automatic transmission to bring you a fuel mileage of 17 city/24 hwy mpg.  You do need premium fuel to run this engine, but as a luxury vehicle that is to be expected.

Taking a drive in the QX50 will give you the feeling that is similar to driving a sports sedan.  When you have the RWD version you have a great driving SUV to enjoy with dynamic steering and a beautiful suspension performance along with a stiff chassis to let you know what the car is feeling.  The AWD version increases you control of the vehicle and let you enjoy the ride even more to allow you to create a quiet oasis in the cabin away from the noise and craziness of the outdoors.

On the inside of the QX50 you will find a very nice two-row, five seat configuration that offers some of the most comfortable seating in any luxury SUV.  There is a massive cargo area in the back with a full 18.6 cubic feet of space.  All seats on the QX50 have beautiful leather upholstery to offer a smooth and upgraded style.  The control area of this SUV is dynamic and easy to navigate with some of the most modern technologies offered in the automotive world to ensure you still get to enjoy the Infiniti advantage.

ON the outside the QX50 you get to have a great vehicle to drive with a long hood and an aggressive stance.  This is the result of the engineering and styling that Infiniti has become known for over the years.  The sportiness of this SUV is awesome and an increase in many areas has made this one of the premiere SUVs on the market to drive.  To the rear the QX50 does not drop off sharp, but instead offers a strong rear that adds more length which certainly allows for the overall great interior space and cargo capacity.

The QX50 is a great SUV even just out the door at that standard offering.  The features offered on the base model include leather seating, power adjustable and heated front seats, a moonroof, dual zone climate control with rear vents, a rearview camera, push button starting, a six-speaker audio system with an auxiliary and USB port and Bluetooth connectivity.  Add to this the standard menu of great safety features and you see an SUV that is one of the best on the market to ensure you have a vehicle that really is a lot of fun to drive and well equipped even at the base price.

Looking to the options of the QX50 you see the Premium Package which should be an easy add on at only $500 that includes an eleven-speaker Bose premium audio system, a power adjustable steering wheel with entry and exit assistance, aluminum roof rails, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a HomeLink garage door opener.  Other features you can add include the navigation system, power up rear seats, a bird’s eye view rearview camera, front and rear SONAR parking assistance, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, forward collision and intelligent cruise control.  This makes for a fully loaded luxury SUV that can be a lot of fun to drive.

If you want an SUV that will give you plenty of great features for a fantastic price, the Infiniti QX50 is the one to buy.  As a great drive with a powerful engine and a look that distinguishes it easily as a leader in the class the QX50 is the right choice for you to drive and have the SUV you have always wanted.  Come on in to your local Infiniti dealership and drive away with a huge smile on your face as you enjoy the awesome beauty and grace of the QX50.