2019 Infiniti QX50 Has Confusing Steering and Unimpressive Engine, Says CR

As a premium SUV, the QX50 faces up against stiff competition from the German automakers, as well as Jaguar, Volvo, and even Cadillac. Some of its rivals are well established but unimaginative, so Infiniti came up with a brilliant new engine, on paper at least.

The variable compressions four-cylinder was supposed to deliver the performance of a V6 combined with the fuel economy of a smaller unit. However, Consumer Reports says acceleration is uninspiring, which is not what you want to hear. With 268 HP, the QX50 is supposed to do 60 in 6.3 seconds, which isn't slow, though.

Of course, those numbers are just the official ones, because we doubt the CVT gearbox does as good a job as the 8- or 9-speed autos used by rivals. But the biggest problem with the car is the off-putting steering. The drive-by-wire setup can be observed in the short video providing inconsistent steering responses.

The real forte of this model is the interior, well finished, comfortable and practical. Sure, there are things CR doesn't like, such as the lack of rear visibility and the confusing twin-screen infotainment system.

There an 8-inch screen up top for the cameras and navigation plus another 7-inch one for the infotainment, which at this moment isn't smartphone-compatible. It's difficult to read and lacks the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that even economy cars get nowadays. However, the review praises it for the high level of safety equipment.

The QX50 could have been a great SUV, but when Consumer Reports uses words like "look elsewhere" to describe it, it's clear that many people will be put off by that steering.