Increasing sales is surely on the mind of Infiniti executives as they introduce the latest version of the Infiniti QX50 at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. In 2014, Canadians bought 1,897 Infiniti QX50s, while Americans bought 2,727, and these aren’t large numbers for Infiniti’s compact luxury SUV, especially given that it’s in such a hot market segment.

But Infiniti’s been busy introducing new styling and replacing its line-up lately, starting with the Q50 sedan. Also expected soon are the very appealing and all-new Q30 and QX30, now still in “concept” form but well along the path to production.

The 2016 QX50 is the latest Infiniti to be updated. It acquires an exterior treatment with some similarity to the Q50 sedan, but largely retains its familiar profile. Actually, a significant update or replacement has been a long time coming; with the QX50, formerly known as the EX 35, having been around in largely unchanged form for eight years.

The outgoing QX50 – kind of a sporty wagon crossover with a Porsche Macan-like extended hood – had a distinctive appearance but the typical media knocks against it were based on insufficient rear passenger room and limited cargo capacity. Dealing with these criticisms, Infiniti has stretched the QX50 wheelbase by 80 millimetres to create more rear seat legroom and increase cargo capacity. They’ve also slightly raised the ride height, giving it a more commanding presence.

Described as a “revised version” by Infiniti, rather than being an all-new model, the 2016 QX50 features a new front bumper and lower front fascia, new LED Daytime Running Lights, new Infiniti-style double-arch front grille, new side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, updated side sill styling, new rear bumper and lower fascia. There’s also a new “Hagane” blue exterior colour option and optional 19-inch alloy wheels.

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