Remember the old Infiniti FX, the company's first attempt at the coupe-styled SUV market? Or maybe you remember it as the QX70 following its name change in 2013? Don't worry if you don't, it wasn't a very remarkable vehicle and it was discontinued in 2017 anyway. But Infiniti just introduced a spiritual successor that looks infinitely better. It's called the QX55 and yes, it's a coupe version of the more familiar QX50. And it's coming to the U.S. in spring 2021 to take on the German competition.

The Infiniti QX55 is a hot SUV if you're into coupe-style crossovers

A coupe roof on an SUV is a cool idea, but not all crossovers in this niche are pretty. The BMW X4 and X6, for instance, have been criticized for their hunchback look, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is also of the "love it or hate it" design. The old Infiniti FX and QX70 wasn't all that great either, but the Japanese firm nailed it with the QX55. Sure, the rear end is still plagued by the extremely short deck lid and tall fascia some don't like on other models, but the muscular fenders and the rounded roofline make things significantly better.

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The front grille is larger and boasts an origami-like mesh inlay, while the front bumper is unique to this model and features taller side vents. Around back, we can see piano-key taillights, a feature that doesn't come from the QX50, but from the recently redesigned QX60. The 20-inch wheels shown in these photos are unique to the QX55 and come standard.

The QX55's cabin is obviously based on the QX50, but you can opt for bolder upholstery colors and even a two-tone look. Two-tone leather and semi-aniline leather, however, are only offered on the mid-range Essential and top-spec Sensory trims. If you go with the entry-level trim, you'll have to settle for faux leather. The range-topping model also comes with open-pore wood trim on the dashboard and door panels, a stylish solution to the carbon-fiber and aluminum usually found in sporty SUVs. The infotainment system is shared with the QX50, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are now standard.

The Infiniti QX55 comes with reduced rear-seat headroom and a smaller trunk

The downside of a coupe-style SUV is that its offers less headroom for rear-seat passengers and a small trunk compared to its regular sibling. The QX55 is no exception from this rule, so tall passengers may find the rear-seat compartment a bit cramped. The trunk is also a bit smaller compared to the QX50. Specifically, while the latter offers 31.5 cubic feet of luggage room, the QX55 comes with 26.9 cubic feet, a decrease of 4.6 cubic feet.

The Infiniti QX55 hides a turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood

The QX55 shares underpinnings with the QX50, but that's actually good news, because oomph comes from a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder that packs a muscular 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.

The big news here is that the QX55 is fitted with Infiniti's all-wheel-drive system as standard. Performance figures aren't yet available, but the coupe-style SUV should hit 60 mph from a standing start in around 6.4 seconds, while top speed should kick in at 155 mph.

2022 Infiniti QX55 specifications

Engine

2.0-liter four-cylinder

Horsepower

268 HP

Torque

280 LB-FT

0 to 60 mph

6.4 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph


The Infiniti QX55 is the brand's answer to the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

A shrunken X6 based on the X3, the BMW X4 is among the earliest coupe SUVs in the compact market, having been launched in 2014. Now in its second generation, it's available with a variety of gasoline and diesel engines globally. At 268 horsepower, the QX55 is a competitor for the X4 xDrive30i trim, powered by a 248-horsepower four-cylinder. But BMW also offers an M40i trim with 355 horsepower and an X4 M model with 473 and 503 horsepower (Competition version).

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe arrived in 2016 and it's also available with more drivetrains than the Infiniti, including a hybrid. The GLC 300 Coupe 4Matic would be a direct rival thanks to its four-cylinder rated at 242 horsepower. But just like BMW, Mercedes offers higher performance models like the AMG GLC 43 Coupe (362 horsepower), AMG GLC 63 Coupe (469 horsepower), and the AMG GLC 63 S Coupe (503 horsepower).