[Hawkman]

The US does not much care for station wagons. I'm sure this doesn't come as a surprise to you. On the other hand, crossover sales are increasing at an incredible rate. For example, in July, 16 of the 20 most popular utility vehicles in America posted year over year improvements in sales.

So how do you sell a station wagon in a market that wants crossovers? Well, Infiniti seems to think it has found the magic bullet -- call your station wagon a crossover, raise the ride height a few inches, and put it on a longer wheelbase. These are really the only significant things that are separating the QX50 from what the average person would call a station wagon. Take a look.

What is a station wagon other than a hatchback with a longer rear end?

Just look at that side profile. Wagon-like isn't it? OK, maybe it's more of a wagon with a coupe roof.

I think that ultimately the classification was not chosen because of the characteristics of the car; it was chosen as part of a marketing exercise. Focus groups said that the QX50 crossover was better than the QX50 wagon.

Looking into the death of the station wagon I found this little analysis of history interesting:

“We could see the sales explode in SUVs and nobody else really produced a car-based SUV,” Michael McHale, director of corporate communications at Subaru of America told me. “They were truck-based—heavy and slow and lumbering.” So Subaru decided to bridge that gap. This was the first crossover vehicle: a station wagon with SUV features. The Outback would offer car-like handling with truck-like durability.

The QX50 follows that tradition perfectly. It is most definitely a station wagon with SUV features, and that is the very definition of a crossover.

 

[QueEX]

That's one thing I always felt about it ever since being used to the QX70 and then seeing this come to market, didn't seem very SUV/CUV like but had some of that DNA in it.

At least they seem to be having luck with this product and should be at a steady rate with the state of the market currently.

 

[alohabra]

Well, I just bought one. I liked the Nissan Z type drive train with the 3.7L V-6. Almost bought the Acura RDX and then I drove this.
Also tried the Lexus NX200t but did really like the turbo four and the slight bit of torque steer (The QX50 does not do that).
Don't really need a full size SUV (I already have two other compact Suvs in the household).

 

[QueEX]

Well, I just bought one. I liked the Nissan Z type drive train with the 3.7L V-6. Almost bought the Acura RDX and then I drove this.
Also tried the Lexus NX200t but did really like the turbo four and the slight bit of torque steer (The QX50 does not do that).
Don't really need a full size SUV (I already have two other compact Suvs in the household).

Good point on that Z-Type drive train, it's something we're likely to see with the next generation model. Might be a case of the Q50/Q60 drive train going into it and us getting some sport next gen model as a result. Along with that, it should have the looks to go with it.

 

[alohabra]

Shooting Brake it is (or Station Wagon). It is classified that way by the EPA. Mine did not come with privacy glass like SUVs. Paid $200 to have it tinted 20%. Don't think privacy glass is even available from the factory.

 

[QueEX]

Another good example of Infiniti refusing to call something a wagon is the Q30. No where did they mention its a wagon, which just goes to show how much car makers are scared from saying that, as to not get the wrong image across and the wrong impression.

 

[1nf1n1t]

Noticed that as well even with Audi, they don't call their wagon based off the A4 a wagon, instead it's called an "All-Road", then you have Honda with the Honda Crosstour which is basically a wagon, but again they refuse to call it that.

 

[DrGP]

Btw,

Audi calls it's "station wagons" Avants. Much more popular in europe

 

[David Beale]

I laugh out loud on the term "crossover". "But Mr. Beale, it doesn't have a frame so it's a "crossover"." That's nice, my 2001 Pathfinder didn't have a frame either, and it was called an SUV. Get your stories straight people! -I- think it's an SUV. It has SUVish weight (3850 lbs curb), AWD, and "small SUV" size, layout, and look.

 

[LQQX50]

It's a Sports Car !

a . . . " SCUV " if you will

Ok, so it has 4 doors, a Hatch, Fold Down Seats, Available AWD, Roof Rails, so does indeed have " U " for Utility

Lets discuss the " S " for Sporty:
325 HP VQHR V6 that requires Premium Fuel
267 Ft Lbs of Torque
7 Speeds with automatic down shift rev matching with sport mode and manual slapping ability
Hydraulic Steering ( non of this electric assisted stuff )
Front Mid Ship ( FMS ) platform for even weight distribution at all wheels
V-6 mounted longitudinally in a traditional rear-wheel-drive configuration
Double Wishbone Front Suspension with Real Multilink Suspension

As for " C ":
It is far more Car like than Crossever Like . . .

Whatever label ~ name ~ category ~ if falls into or out of . . .

Wagon ~ Shooting Brake ~ Hatch Back Sedan ~ Crossover ~ Sport Utility ~

What really matters is . . . It's FUN to drive and can carry stuff and or people in everyday real life settings . . .