How I Would Fix an Infiniti – The Autopian

Here for The Autopian Athlete, few things hurt us more than a car not living up to its potential. After all, wouldn’t it be great if every brand was successful? That will mean more choices in good cars for everyday drivers. One brand that is still getting back on the horse is Infiniti, after a long period of neglect by the company. Between 2010 and 2012, Infiniti’s US sales increased by more than 200,000 vehicles annually. However, the momentum was not sustainable.

In 2015, Infiniti’s U.S. sales totaled just 133,498 vehicles, and while there have been ups and downs since then, the trend has been downward. In 2019, US sales stood at 117,708 vehicles, and although 2023 was a post-scarcity rebuilding year with a 40 percent increase in sales over 2022, which totaled 64,699 vehicles. Mercifully, a new product is on the way, but it may not be the product Infiniti needs. Like Automotive News report:

The redesigned, six-figure QX80 flagship crossover will arrive this summer, while the QX65 sports coupe will arrive in 2026 — the first addition to the portfolio since 2021. A pair of battery-powered vehicles — a sedan and a crossover — will happen. to follow in the second half of the decade.

Under this strategy, there are no plans to replace the QX50 compact crossover that went on sale in 2017, nor plans for high-end products to find a new generation of luxury consumers within the Infiniti brand. Add in the industry’s view of cooling off on EVs and the resurgence of hybrids, and it looks like Infiniti is still trying to find its feet. Not to worry, though. We’re here to help, and here’s what I’d do to revive the Infiniti lineup.

The Naming Program Is Really Right

It’s been a decade since Infiniti fell for Johann De Nysschen’s right to completely confuse consumers with brand new name schemes before they left the building, and while some might argue that it’s still hard to remember models by name alone, enough time has passed that the past . model names are largely irrelevant. Volvo’s claimed the EX prefix that was used on the QX50’s predecessor, the QX60’s made a strong brand of its own, and the Q50 has been around for a decade, so people know what it is by now. Does Infiniti have a good naming scheme? No, but it’s enough, and if we’re going to do this, holding enough names is good for the bottom line.

Qashqai By Any Other Name

Let’s start by addressing two gaps in Infiniti’s current lineup — it sells nothing less than the uncompetitive QX50 compact crossover, and it offers nothing with a hybrid powertrain. However, there’s a way to fix that right away, and that’s by disguising the third-generation Qashqai e-Power hybrid as Infiniti’s own chef. It already has massaging seats, a large moonroof, leather upholstery, and an available 360-degree camera system, and the top trim looks good enough to be a legitimate Infiniti.

Now, before it comes here, a few changes must be made. The headlights, front bumper, front grill, and tailgate treads would need to be replaced with items that carry the Infiniti brand image, but I think Infiniti can get away with leaving most of the exterior unchanged. That’s a good thing, since the headlights are reasonably expensive, but once the extra interior glitz is added, the result should be a product different enough from current American Nissan fare that most people won’t recognize the Infiniti’s baby roots, just bigger enough. gaining fans, and it’s good enough to be a legitimate high-end product. Hypothetically, let’s call it the QX40, because nobody wants to be reminded of the Mercedes-Benz GLA QX30 from a few years back.

What is Japanese to Mopar?

Congratulations! There’s now a hybrid in the Infiniti lineup, which means something needs to be done about the aging Q50. Well, why not take a page from Dodge’s book and give every level of trim to the Red Sport’s 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 while keeping the price the same? Sure, it won’t move much, but the extra 100 horsepower is one of the sweet ones, and should keep the metal moving until the replacement comes along.

Using Synergy To, Um, Keep Lexus At Bay

You know what’s hot right now? Connected crossovers and plug-in hybrids. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a kick-ass hybrid system, and since it’s built on the same platform as the Nissan Rogue, Infiniti could get the nod to dress it up into a convincing compact crossover. If there’s any theoretical product to go on, it’s this one. We’re talking new seals, exterior moldings, and lights to make it look like a baby QX80, a smoother dashboard, softer door cards, deleting the third row and moving the second row back for increased legroom, and tweaked the suspension. trip comfort. Not only could this offer a greener alternative in the premium crossover space, it could find Lexus NX PHEV buyers who can’t find the dividend.

Leave the QX60 Alone

I’ve driven the new Infiniti QX60, and I’m happy to report that it’s pretty swell. Not only does it have a richer cabin than the Lexus TX, thanks to a precise ZF nine-speed automatic transmission, it drives leagues better than its predecessor. Good job, Infiniti. More like this, please.

Sure, Let’s Add EV

It’s time for Infiniti to have an electric car, and with the QX70 nameplate sitting still, why not love the Nissan Ariya? Ariya already has a great booth, but more is always more, so why not include it? Things like a wraparound dashboard, enclosed headliner, crystal-like switchgear, more steel, more wood, a different steering wheel, thicker armrests, a full-length dashboard with dual wireless chargers and a custom climate control panel , bright colors, all that jazz. Sure, this is a no-brainer, but it’s all just a thought for now.

Let the QX80 Run Its Course

Belting everyone’s brains, Infiniti celebrated this year’s New York International Auto Show by unveiling the all-new QX80 full-size SUV with a price tag that gets into six-person territory as you climb the range. Sure, it feels like Infiniti didn’t read the room at the launch of this beast, but it’s already there, so let’s let it play. Only time will tell if the new QX80 is the product Infiniti needs right now.

How do you fix an Infiniti?

So then, a theoretical top-to-bottom lineup that doesn’t include anything from scratch, fills two holes in the lineup, updates one aging model, and gives the Q50 more bang for the buck. While we miss Infiniti’s days as a performance car maker, I have a strong feeling that a lineup like this could be just what the brand needs right now. Then again, maybe not, which is why we’re turning it over to you. How do you fix an Infiniti? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

(Photo credits: Infiniti, Nissan, Thomas Hundal)

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