2018 Infiniti QX50 — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2018 Infiniti QX50

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $33,415–$40,361
Fuel Economy 20 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,625/yr

Key Specifications — 2018 Infiniti QX50

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$33,415–$40,361

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

About the 2018 Infiniti QX50

The 2018 Infiniti QX50 is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 6.9/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.9/10, while Performance at 6.1/10 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. At 6.9/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.9/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 6.1/10 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. At 7.1/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $33,415–$40,361, 20 MPG, seating 5, the Infiniti QX50 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.6/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2018 Infiniti QX50 sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and value and performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

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 2018 Infiniti QX50 ranks #2137 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 13% of the segment. Its 6.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $33,415 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 7%.

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

Which QX50 Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2015 Infiniti QX50 scores 6.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 6.9 — and starts roughly $3,500 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 (this review) 6.9/10$33,415
2017 6.8/10$32,192 Read review →
2016 6.8/10$30,970 Read review →
2015 6.8/10$29,747 Read review →
2014 7.1/10$25,900 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2018 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 20 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

Common Questions — 2018 Infiniti QX50

Is the 2018 Infiniti QX50 reliable?

We rate the 2018 Infiniti QX50's reliability 6.9/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance.

Is the 2018 Infiniti QX50 worth buying?

It scores 6.9/10 overall, ranking #2137 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 13% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2018 Infiniti QX50 cost?

The 2018 Infiniti QX50 starts at $33,415 and ranges up to $40,361 across trims (MSRP when new). At 20 MPG, expect roughly $2,625/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

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 →

Get the Monthly Reliability Report

Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Similar SUV to Consider

Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.

2026 Toyota RAV4
2026 Toyota RAV4
8.4/10
View →
2024 Genesis GV70
2024 Genesis GV70
8.4/10
View →
2025 Genesis GV70
2025 Genesis GV70
8.4/10
View →
2026 Genesis GV70
2026 Genesis GV70
8.4/10
View →

More Infiniti Reviews

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