Infiniti SUV instead of BMW?

We hesitate betweenInfiniti QX55 and BMW X2. At BMW, we were told that the Infiniti brand will disappear soon. Is it true? Also, what do you think about Infiniti’s variable compression engine technology? Is it reliable?

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Hi Chris,

First, know that although the Infiniti brand has seen better days, nothing leads us to believe that it will disappear in the short or medium term. This argument therefore does not hold, especially since if it were, the division Nissan will be responsible for honoring the warranty, making repairs and maintaining the parts inventory for a very long time. I would add that this kind of garbage from the seller shows all the seriousness of the end, who, with this information alone, would lose any chance of selling me the car.

Then, I agree that it is difficult to compare the QX55 with the BMW X2. The first is a spacious and comfortable SUV while the second is small. Lots of power doesn’t equate to character and driving pleasure.

The BMW X2 is clearly more fun and more aggressive. It has incredible handling, accelerates furiously and has all-wheel drive that makes it especially effective in winter. However, you should know that this model is about to be replaced, as it comes directly from the BMW X1which is completely updated for 2023. This is also information that your BMW dealer surely forgot to send you…

However, we should not rule out X2. It is BMW’s most popular SUV, and people generally prefer the X1 or X3. However, the X2 remains twice as popular as the QX55, a product that has had far less success. Infiniti sold 464 units of the QX55 last year, when the model was new to the market.

The image of the brand, the efficiency of the CVT gearbox and the more or less impulsive driving partly explain the low success of this model, which is not bad, but which lacks a lot of arguments compared to its real competitors (Audi Q5, BMW X4, Lexus NXand so on.).

As for the variable compression ratio engine, it was designed with the aim of increasing power and torque and with low energy efficiency. Unfortunately, if this mechanism can be amazing on paper, it is disappointing every day: its use is not more interesting than that of the competition. It is difficult to comment on the long-term reliability of the latter, but so far, there are no known problems of significance.

So my answer will be as follows. If you want a fun little car, consider the Audi Q3, which will give you the same fun drive as the X2, on the more practical side. On the other hand, if you are looking for more space and comfort, you will be better served by the Acura RDX, Lexus NX or a variety of German SUVs, which will however cost you a little more. Infiniti can only be attractive if the bill is below that of its rivals. But again, you won’t have the same driving pleasure.

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