DecodedCars2021 Infiniti QX50
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 26 combined · 23 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 185 in
- Curb weight
- 4,173 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Infiniti QX50 is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 185 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,173 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 29 highway), 2% worse than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,150 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 QX50 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 QX50 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 185 in | 75.2 in | 66.1 in | 110.2 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 4,173 lb | 59/41 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QX50 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 29 / 26 | -2% | $3,150 | 349 |
| QX50 AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 25 | +5% | $3,300 | 367 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Infiniti QX50 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 14.7% |
| 2021 Infiniti QX50 SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.5% |
Similar 2021 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Infiniti QX50 (this car) | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Tesla Model Y | 326 mi | Not rated | 23 |
| 2021 Land Rover Defender | 19 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2021 BMW X3 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 10 |
| 2021 Lexus RX | 30 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2021 Volvo XC90 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2021 Porsche Macan | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · Jun 27, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V437000 · 443,899 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.
- Risk
- Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Spindle · May 27, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V402000 · 14,276 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano, INFINITI QX60, 2021 Nissan GT-R, INFINITI QX50, and Q50 vehicles. The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment.
- Risk
- The steering knuckle or rear axle could deform upon impact, such as from hitting a curb, resulting in a loss of steering control, or possible wheel separation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2021. Nissan owners may contact customer service at 1-800-867-7669. INFINITI owners may contact customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Not every 2021 Infiniti QX50 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Infiniti QX50 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 18 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 8 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 7 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Infiniti QX50. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other QX50 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 QX50 | 26 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 QX50 | 26 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 4 |
| 2023 QX50 | 26 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 4 |
| 2022 QX50 | 26 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 17 |
| 2020 QX50 | 26 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 33 |
| 2019 QX50 | 27 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 145 |
| 2017 QX50 | 20 | 186.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 13 |
| 2016 QX50 | 20 | 186.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 19 |
| 2015 QX50 | 20 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2014 QX50 | 20 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Infiniti. How we calculate this →