DRIVEN + VIDEO: Consumer Reports Weighs In On The Infiniti QX50, Is It A FAIR Assessment?

While I know that Consumer Reports is always a little bit controversial here at AutoSpies, I actually tend to like them. Although we see comments like "Stick to toasters," and the like, you have to keep something in mind.

Consumer Reports isn't in the bag for anyone.

It buys the cars themselves and they do not attend any junkets as far as I've ever seen. It really is an organization on the up and up looking out for the general population's best interest.

And while I am aligned with them, on the whole, that doesn't mean I don't question their results at times. Take, for example, the all-new Infiniti QX50. Let's be serious: No one buys an Infiniti because they're performance monsters. Sure, the brand had tried several times but it's never really delivered. Let the Nissan GT-R do the heavy lifting. But, CR gives the QX50 demerits for having too much body roll on its test track.

What QX50 will ever experience that level of cornering?

Then there's the knock on the two monitor center stack. While I would point out that Nissan/Infiniti seriously need to update their software and user experience, overall the user interface isn't the most complicated in the world. I could understand if it were, say, Volvo's Sensus.

All that said, I want to know, Spies: Is CR being FAIR to the all-new Infiniti QX50? Or, have they called out valid points here?

The Infiniti QX50 has a luxurious cabin and a new, innovative engine that promises improved fuel economy and power. But, confusing controls may steer shoppers toward other SUVs.

MDarringer - 9/15/2018 10:27:06 PM

+1 Boost

It's a horrid Nissan, so it's bound to be total garbage.

cidflekken - 9/15/2018 11:25:14 PM

+3 Boost

Infiniti really had an opportunity to take a strong lead in one of the most competitive segments in the industry. But they failed. They delivered a car that's not as exciting to look at as a Volvo XC60 or even the Acura RDX. They delivered a car that's not as engaging to drive as a BMW X3, Audi Q5 or Acura RDX. They delivered a car that doesn't deliver the level of luxury as a Mercedes GLC or Lexus NX. What they delivered was a bland, middle-of-the-road SUV that provides little to no compelling reason to buy it over its rivals.
That interior really misses the mark. At first glance, it looks new and premium. On closer inspection, the reality is that it's the same basic setup that Infiniti has been using in, say, the Q50 for years, now adorned with fancier surrounding material. Very dated and, really, out of touch with all of the tech advances of every single one of its rivals (save maybe Lexus).

TomM - 9/16/2018 9:26:06 AM

+2 Boost

Consumer reports is not a "bad" vehicle reviewer - in that they clearly show their priorities in what they expect from a car - ie - as a transportation device. THe problem - of course - is the same for all other car reviews -in that are they looking for the same traits in a car that YOU are looking for.

An example is reliability. In general the most reliable cars on the market are also the most boring - least equipped - and they will get a BIG reliability rating from COnsumer reports because there is little to go wrong.

However - just as all other such reports must - their reports depend on input from OWNERS - as to what goes wrong with their cars - and in general Owners are not the least Biased source for that information. In some cars - minor problems like largish gaps in panels will be overlooked by owners due to price =- where the smallest of improper gaps in an expensive luxury car can be the end of the world to an owner.

So - if you look at these "reviews" with that knowledge up front - it is possible for you to get SOME viable information to help you buy a vehicle - but always remember that they may be looking for something entirely different than what YOU had in mind.

As far as the Infiniti - it is being sold in the PRICE range of luxury cars from other manufacturers who apparently CAN control Body Roll -and DO have better Multi-Media systems than the Infiniti has - In fact - the Volvo and Infiniti are in the same 2nd tier Luxury Class - and both are overpriced for their positions in the market.

The Infiniti (and Nissan in general) are falling back from a near class leading position that it once held with the Q45 with active suspension - to being merely passable vehicles that have few endearing traits - and are sold on Price like Hyundai. Nissan once had good suspensions - several good engines - and exciting cars to drive - that time has passed. Today the memory of those long gone vehicles has been replaced with 73% fat Ground Beef - the barest of acceptability.

MDarringer - 9/16/2018 7:37:36 PM

-2 Boost

The customer warranty rage on the CVT is pretty big. It baffles me why manufacturers use a CVT when there is no real world MPG advantage, but there are massive disadvantage in NVH, reliability, durability, and customer satisfaction. Ditto a DCT. A conventional automatic is demonstrably better.

4ron - 9/16/2018 1:34:28 PM

+1 Boost

While I hold great respect for Consumer Reports I think that they often assign too much value to non driving characteristics when rating a vehicle. In this case no doubt the infotainment portion of the test weighted the score possibly too much whereas the light steering assessment falls in line with Infinity's by wire technology that has not been received favorably.