Infiniti has announced that it will cease production of both its QX50 and QX55 SUVs at the end of this year. The QX50 won’t see a direct replacement, though the QX55 will see a replacement in the form of the upcoming QX65, becoming the new entry point for the Nissan-owned brand that’s in the process of revamping parts of its lineup.
The QX50 was a solid seller for the brand, though its sales significantly trailed the larger QX60, which may point to the logic behind Infiniti’s decision to go with a slightly larger two-row SUV as the entry point to its brand. Dealers should have supply until the summer of 2026, and production will officially end for the two this December.
Related: Volvo EX30 starts at $44,900, faster than most sports cars
The QX50 & 55 died to make room for new models
Infiniti
The end of the two small SUVs will make room in the Infiniti lineup for a flurry of new vehicles. For starters, the QX60’s new refreshed form will debut this year, including a variant called the QX60 Sport, per Automotive News, along with a similarly named trim for the updated QX80 that launched in 2024. By 2026, Infiniti will launch the QX65 as the brand’s new entry-level model.
Related: 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S review: The return of zoom-zoom in luxury form
Two EVs, the Vision QXe EV SUV, and Vision Qe EV sedan, are also on their way, though the timeline on these is shaky. For one, automakers have demonstrated hesitancy in introducing new electric models, citing shifting consumer demand. The Trump Administration has also signaled it will look to terminate subsidies for new EV purchases, which could affect Infiniti’s plans for the pair. However, current timelines hint at an arrival sometime after 2026.
Infiniti
Final thoughts
I drove the most recent Infiniti QX50 in its top trim not long ago, and it was a very mixed bag. For starters, the QX50’s interior was a huge surprise, with the top-trim $61,000 Autograph model featuring a great selection of novel materials like suede and wood and an overall high-quality feel. The seats were comfy, and I felt the SUV would be plenty for a small family or a couple looking for a slightly larger vehicle with good room and storage capacity, given its footprint.
However, the SUV’s dated bones also shined through.
Related: A wave of new EVs are set to hit the U.S. in 2025
Infiniti
I found the turbocharged 268 horsepower engine a little anemic compared to similarly priced offerings from German competitors like BMW and Audi. Moreover, the transmission actively worked against me, never really doing what I wanted it to.
On top of this issue, the car’s tech was vastly outdone by every one of its competitors, all of whom offer much more recent, simplistic, and technologically advanced infotainment systems. Having experienced this, it’s easy to see why Infiniti made the call to pull the plug on these two in favor of introducing a much fresher lineup.
Related: The most and least expensive states to own a car in 2025