The Infiniti QX55 is a luxury crossover SUV that comes in different trim levels, with the Luxe and Essential being two popular options. These trims offer varying features and amenities, catering to different preferences and budgets. Understanding the differences between the QX55 Luxe and Essential can help potential buyers make an informed decision when choosing their ideal vehicle.
Both the Luxe and Essential trims share the same powerful engine and drivetrain, but they differ in terms of interior features, technology, and comfort options. The Essential trim builds upon the Luxe’s foundation, offering additional luxury and convenience features for a more premium driving experience.
| Feature | QX55 Luxe | QX55 Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $50,150 | $54,250 |
| Engine | 2.0L VC-Turbo | 2.0L VC-Turbo |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 268 hp |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
Let’s dive deeper into the key differences between the Infiniti QX55 Luxe and Essential trims to help you determine which one best suits your needs and preferences.
Engine and Performance
Both the Infiniti QX55 Luxe and Essential trims share the same powertrain, ensuring consistent performance across the lineup. The heart of both models is a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder engine that delivers an impressive 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This innovative engine features variable compression technology, which allows it to adjust its compression ratio on the fly, optimizing both power and efficiency.
The engine is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which provides smooth and efficient power delivery. Both trims come standard with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, offering enhanced traction and stability in various driving conditions. This drivetrain combination results in a fuel economy rating of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for both the Luxe and Essential trims.
In terms of performance, drivers won’t notice any significant differences between the two trims. Both offer quick acceleration, responsive handling, and a comfortable ride quality. The VC-Turbo engine provides ample power for daily driving and highway merging, while the all-wheel-drive system ensures confident handling in various weather conditions.
Exterior Features and Design
While the Infiniti QX55 Luxe and Essential share the same striking exterior design, there are some subtle differences in their features:
- LED Headlights: Both trims come with LED headlights, but the Essential trim adds an Adaptive Front Lighting System. This system adjusts the direction of the headlights based on steering input, providing better illumination around corners.
- Wheels: The Luxe and Essential trims both feature 20-inch alloy wheels, but the Essential offers a slightly different design with a dark-painted finish.
- Power Liftgate: While both trims have a power liftgate, the Essential trim upgrades this to a motion-activated liftgate for added convenience.
- Wipers: The Essential trim adds rain-sensing wipers, which automatically adjust their speed based on the intensity of rainfall.
- Exterior Colors: The Essential trim typically offers a wider range of exterior color options compared to the Luxe trim.
Despite these minor differences, both trims maintain the QX55’s distinctive coupe-like silhouette, bold grille design, and sleek overall appearance that sets it apart in the luxury crossover segment.
Interior Comfort and Convenience
The interior is where the differences between the Luxe and Essential trims become more apparent. While both offer a luxurious cabin, the Essential trim adds several premium features:
- Seating: Both trims feature leather-appointed seating, but the Essential upgrades to semi-aniline leather for a more premium look and feel. The Essential also adds ventilated front seats in addition to the heated seats found in both trims.
- Steering Wheel: The Essential trim includes a heated steering wheel, which is not available on the Luxe trim.
- Climate Control: While the Luxe has dual-zone automatic climate control, the Essential upgrades to a tri-zone system, adding a separate climate zone for rear passengers.
- Memory Settings: The Essential trim adds memory settings for the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and outside mirrors, a feature not available on the Luxe.
- Interior Accents: The Essential trim offers more premium interior accent options, including dark open-pore wood trim.
These upgrades in the Essential trim create a more luxurious and comfortable interior environment, catering to drivers who prioritize premium features and materials in their vehicle’s cabin.
Technology and Infotainment
Both the Luxe and Essential trims come well-equipped with modern technology, but the Essential trim offers some notable upgrades:
- Infotainment System: Both trims feature Infiniti’s dual-screen infotainment system with an 8-inch upper and 7-inch lower touchscreen. However, the Essential trim adds built-in navigation, which is not available on the Luxe.
- Audio System: The Luxe trim comes with a 6-speaker audio system, while the Essential upgrades to a premium 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system for superior sound quality.
- Smartphone Integration: Both trims offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Charging: While both trims include a wireless charging pad, the Essential may offer additional USB ports for rear passengers.
- Digital Instrument Cluster: Both trims feature a 7-inch vehicle information display in the instrument cluster.
The technology upgrades in the Essential trim primarily focus on enhancing the audio experience and adding built-in navigation, which may be important factors for tech-savvy buyers or those who frequently use their vehicle’s infotainment system.
Safety Features and Driver Assistance
Safety is a priority for Infiniti, and both the Luxe and Essential trims come equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. However, the Essential trim does offer some additional driver assistance technologies:
- ProPILOT Assist: This advanced driver assistance system is standard on both trims, offering adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and steering assist.
- Around View Monitor: While the Luxe trim has a rearview camera, the Essential trim upgrades to a 360-degree Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, providing a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings.
- Parking Sensors: The Luxe trim includes rear parking sensors, while the Essential adds front parking sensors for easier maneuvering in tight spaces.
- Traffic Sign Recognition: This feature, available on the Essential trim, can detect and display road signs on the instrument cluster.
Both trims include other safety features such as Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The additional features on the Essential trim provide extra convenience and situational awareness, which may be valuable for drivers who frequently navigate in urban or crowded environments.
FAQs About Infiniti QX55 Luxe vs Essential
- Is there a difference in performance between the QX55 Luxe and Essential?
No, both trims have the same 268-hp 2.0L VC-Turbo engine and all-wheel-drive system. - Does the Essential trim have better fuel economy than the Luxe?
No, both trims have identical fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. - What are the main interior upgrades in the Essential trim?
The Essential adds ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. - Are there any significant technology differences between the trims?
Yes, the Essential trim adds built-in navigation and upgrades to a 16-speaker Bose audio system. - Is the safety equipment different between the Luxe and Essential trims?
The Essential adds a 360-degree camera system, front parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition.