Driving the 2025 Infiniti QX55 puts me in a place where I feel as if I am once again welcoming back an old, reliable friend who continues to keep me somewhat entertained but remains set in their ways, albeit with a confident, good-looking smile. That’s the vibe the 2025 Infiniti QX55 exudes as a stylish and uniquely designed crossover coupe that holds steadfast to its roots, including its often-criticized CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and dated infotainment system.
Now entering the 2025 model year, the QX55 remains mostly unchanged since its 2022 debut, other than how some of the trim levels fall, standing as a sleeker coupe-like sibling to the QX50 crossover. The QX55’s strengths and weaknesses remain, while its attractive styling seems to carry the vehicle apart from the compact crossover’s lingering quirks.
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The 2025 Infiniti QX55 shares its powertrain with the QX50, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged variable-compression inline 4-cylinder engine. Producing a respectable 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, the engine delivers its power to all four wheels via an AWD system with a front-wheel-drive bias. The engine’s innovative technology with its variable compression offers decent performance, but the CVT (continuously variable transmission) continues to undermine what could otherwise be a much better driving experience.
The CVT attempts to emulate a traditional automatic transmission, particularly at lower speeds or under full throttle, but it struggles with consistency. Power delivery is inconsistent, and the throttle feels sluggish initially. After passing 15 mph or so the QX55 surges in a way that feels disconnected from the driver’s intention. This lack of smoothness takes away from what could have been an enjoyable ride, especially given the engine’s respected capability and decent power output for a compact crossover.
The ride quality and handling remain pretty good and nearly on the sporty side for the segment, but the driving experience would be greatly improved with a traditional automatic transmission. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph takes around 6.5 seconds, with much of the delay happening in the first few moments as the CVT adjusts to let the engine hit its stride. Fundamentally, the CVT saps most of the initial acceleration out of the hole, but once things get going, there’s a welcomed surge of power where it allows the engine to wind up and sing without unwanted harshness and only a slight buzzing sound.
The fuel economy is decent, with EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. However, as in previous years, the CVT’s lumpiness in delivering power consistently may slightly impact real-world fuel consumption.
The 2025 QX55’s interior remains mostly unchanged and reflects Infiniti’s desire to stick with a tried-and-true tech setup that’s quite aged now. The dual-screen infotainment system, an 8-inch upper screen paired with a 7-inch lower touchscreen, continues to feel dated. While functional and relatively user-friendly, the graphics lack the sharpness and sophistication found in competitors’ systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available wirelessly or via USB connection, but their display quality is mostly underwhelming on the top screen.
Despite the aging tech, the QX55 compensates with comfortable heated and ventilated front seats that excel at reducing fatigue on long drives, something Nissan and Infiniti have done well with their NASA-inspired zero gravity seats. The cabin materials, including soft-touch surfaces and a touch of accented stitching, give a slight upscale feel, even if they don’t quite match the premium and luxury standard set by some rivals.
The sloping roofline gives the QX55 a sleek profile but compromises rear headroom and cargo space compared to the more conventional QX50 crossover sibling. Still, the stylish design arguably makes it more appealing for those seeking a luxury statement vehicle rather than outright practicality.
The 2025 QX55 continues to offer a respected suite of active safety features. Highlights include Infiniti’s ProPILOT Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane departure warning. The system decently tracks road lines and adapts smoothly to curves, providing confidence on longer trips.
The 360-degree Around View Monitor remains useful but is marred by grainy, low-resolution graphics that detract from its otherwise advanced functionality – again, part of the aged infotainment system still present in the QX55.
While the fundamentals remain unchanged, the 2025 QX55 still stands out in a crowd as visually distinctive, especially when adorned in the gleaming Dynamic Sunstone Red paint. The QX55 remains a decently priced option in the luxury crossover segment, starting at $50,150 for the base Luxe trim before any options or fees, provided you’re willing to accept its lingering quirks. Moving through the three trim levels that are all all-wheel-drive and landing at the top-end for my loaded-up QX55 Sensory AWD test vehicle, you’ll expect to shell out $62,710, which includes a $1,350 destination charge.
