2020 Infiniti QX50
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S8) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 23 / 29 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,850 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 346 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $35,860–$44,953 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2020 Infiniti QX50 at 7.0/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.8/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 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. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.9/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.8/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.2/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.4/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $35,860–$44,953, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Infiniti QX50 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2020 Infiniti QX50 is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in reliability and value and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
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 →
The 2020 Infiniti QX50 ranks #2010 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $35,860 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$11,930 ($2,386/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies 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.
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Infiniti QX50 scores 6.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.0 — 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.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 (this review) | 7.0/10 | $35,860 | |
| 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 | 6.8/10 | $30,970 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $29,747 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 7.1/10 | $25,900 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Tires 26/01/2021 · 21V025000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2020 INFINITI QX50 vehicles. The text of the Tire and Loading Information placard, including the tire size and loading capacity, may be illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… |
|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Hard parts internal/mechanical 27/06/2025 · 25V437000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2020 Infiniti QX50 that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2020 Infiniti QX50's reliability 6.9/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.0/10 overall, ranking #2010 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 18% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2020 Infiniti QX50 starts at $35,860 and ranges up to $44,953 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
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.
The documented issues for the 2020 Infiniti QX50 are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Tires, Engine and engine cooling (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
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.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Infiniti models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.