2016 Infiniti QX50 — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2016 Infiniti QX50

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $30,970–$40,389
Fuel Economy 18 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,917/yr
The 2016 Infiniti QX50 scores 6.8/10 at Carivo, ranking #2205 of 2454 suvs and an estimated $2,917/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2016 Infiniti QX50

Engine3.7L 6-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S7)
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypePremium
City / Hwy MPG17 / 24 MPG
Combined MPG20 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$3,700
CO₂ Emissions448 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$30,970–$40,389

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2016 Infiniti QX50

With an overall Carivo score of 6.8/10, the 2016 Infiniti QX50 earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.8/10, while Performance at 5.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.7/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.8/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 5.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.9/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $30,970–$40,389, 18 MPG, seating 5, the Infiniti QX50 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2016 Infiniti QX50, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology and reliability and value and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2016 Infiniti QX50 ranks #2205 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 10% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $30,970 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 14%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2016 Infiniti QX50

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$14,585 ($2,917/year at $3.50/gal)
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which QX50 Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2014 Infiniti QX50 scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2016's 6.8 — and starts roughly $5,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2025 7.3/10$41,972 Read review →
2024 7.2/10$40,750 Read review →
2023 7.2/10$39,527 Read review →
2022 7.1/10$38,305 Read review →
2021 7.1/10$37,082 Read review →
2020 7.0/10$35,860 Read review →
2019 7.0/10$34,637 Read review →
2018 6.9/10$33,415 Read review →
2017 6.8/10$32,192 Read review →
2016 (this review) 6.8/10$30,970
2015 6.8/10$29,747 Read review →
2014 7.1/10$25,900 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2016 Infiniti QX50

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 18 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

Common Questions — 2016 Infiniti QX50

Is the 2016 Infiniti QX50 reliable?

We rate the 2016 Infiniti QX50's reliability 6.7/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance.

Is the 2016 Infiniti QX50 worth buying?

It scores 6.8/10 overall, ranking #2205 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 10% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2016 Infiniti QX50 cost?

The 2016 Infiniti QX50 starts at $30,970 and ranges up to $40,389 across trims (MSRP when new). At 18 MPG, expect roughly $2,917/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which QX50 years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest QX50 years we've rated are 2017 (6.8/10), 2016 (6.8/10), 2015 (6.8/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.3/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

Owner Essentials — Infiniti QX50

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Infiniti Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Infiniti models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.