Driving Infiniti’s Newest Luxury SUV
We drove and tested the 2022 Infiniti QX60, the brand’s new-gen, 3-row, midsize crossover.
Based on the (also) new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, the QX60 is a bold statement for Nissan’s assertions in the luxury segment. Although the QX60 is Pathfinder’s corporate cousin, it is sufficiently different with its own identity. Compared to the Pathfinder’s more linear and masculine design, the QX60 has a more organic shape that spells as much luxury as a solid 4-wheel vehicle.
Canada’s Director of Infiniti, Steve Rhind, performed a traditional Japanese “breaking open of the sake cask” ceremony by wielding a wooden sledgehammer as Infiniti launched the QX60.
With or without the ceremony it is understandable that this model is vitally important for Infiniti’s success in North America. QX60 represents approximately one-third of the brand’s sales for about a decade.
2022 Infiniti QX60: Engine and Powertrain
The 3.5L, 295 horsepower, V6 engine from the previous model remains under the hood. It is a mature, reliable engine and does a very good job but is less than perfect.
It’s only during the highway portions of our route that my biggest critique of the QX60 becomes apparent. The 3.5-litre V6’s 295 horsepower engine is sufficient for a vehicle this size, and its 270 lb-ft of torque is adequate.
Nevertheless, as is with the Pathfinder (that we also tested), returning from the CVT to a 9-speed planetary automatic transmission (from the German ZF) was a smart move. This transmission provides a more engaging drive and better fuel economy. Although the initial or pre-production models had some issues with the transmission and/or shift map, these problems are long over as our test drive showed. Maybe, as part of the mid-cycle refreshment, Infiniti is will think of the calibration of the map shift. would be a good move. How the combination of the “old” engine and the new transmission will be in the longer term, remains to be seen. The direct coupling for the AWD system is a big plus too.
2022 Infiniti QX60: Design and Interior
With the features like the start/stop system, active grille shutters, and underbody cladding, Infiniti put efforts to improve fuel economy as much as a traditional powertrain with a midsize SUV body can deliver.
Like many other manufacturers working towards electrification, the current Infiniti will probably be the last generation with an ICE engine and may be on the market for an extended period.
The drive with the QX60 is smooth and comfortable. The sound insulation, a major feature to distinguish a luxury brand from a mass-market one is palpable. It is relatively quiet inside.
There is more than just sound insulation that makes the Infiniti QX60 a truly luxury vehicle: The Canadian models have heated washer nozzles, a useful feature to cope with the harsh and frigid winters of the Great, White North. The four-door capacitive touch locking and unlocking with a smart key, and the new 12.3-inch touchscreen are great features too.
The new cabin is a big improvement from the previous generation. The two-tier dash wrapped in diamond-quilted leather is gorgeous and pleases the driver. The black capacitive control panel is simple and easy to use but collects dust easily. A total of seven USB ports for all three rows, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot should meet or exceed the expectations of a tech-savvy family with young kids who stick to their gadgets.
The ProPilot Assist driver assistance and safety suite is a feature Nissan and Infiniti have been working on for a couple of years. And in connection with onboard navigation, it can “foresee” the upcoming curves and posted speed limits to change the adaptive cruise control’s speed. However, as I am familiar also from our previous test with the Altima three years ago, lane-centring is still unpleasantly intrusive. I had to turn it off while driving the relatively straight portion of the QEW between Stoney Creek and Niagara Falls.
The head and leg room in the second row are very good, and the doors open at nearly 90 degrees thus making entry and exit easy. Our tester in the top-of-the-line Autograph trim had two captain chairs in the second row. There are 411 litres of cargo space behind the third row, which increases to 1,178 L with the third row folded, and 2,135 L with the second and third rows down. Underfloor storage increases to 54 litres. Switching from hydraulic to electronic shift-by-wire removed the mechanical components beneath the shifter console and freed up storage space.
The Autograph model also boasts “zero gravity” seats, front seats with climate control and massage, a heated second row in the top two trims, and heated front seats and steering wheel even in the base model.
No matter how luxurious, almost all midsize SUVs provide limited space in the third row and this is true also for the QX60. The $64,995 Autograph trim adds a tow package that increases the maximum capability to 2,722 kg (6,000 lb).
2022 Infiniti QX60: Driving Impressions
This engine is powerful and torquey enough for a smooth ride both in the city and on the highway. Since the maximum torque is reached at 4,800 rpm and the transmission delays a bit the downshifting, a temporary full gas may be necessary while passing or merging into the highway. Otherwise, the QX60 provides comfortable, silent and composed riding. The sound insulation is superb. The suspension absorbs well the “mined” streets in Toronto and less-than-perfect sideroads in the Niagara Region. You will be pleased with the road-holding if you keep in mind that this is not a sporty SUV. The official rating for consumption rating is 11.9 L/100 per km city, 9.5 highway, and 10.8 combined. After a couple of hundred kilometres with more on the highway than in the city, we reached an average of 10.4 litres which is good for a vehicle of this class.
2022 Infiniti QX60: Conclusion
In today’s hypercompetitive environment, owning a luxury brand is vitally importantü where the luxury brand, despite the smaller volume, must fully utilize the economic scale advantage of the mother (and mass-market) brand. Luckily, Nissan has this advantage (being a strong partner of the alliance is another topic we do not discuss here) and, with the 2022 Infiniti QX60, brought a strong product to the market. The chances of success are relatively high.
For more detailed and most-up-to-date information please visit: www.infiniti.ca
| Engine | 3498 cc naturally aspirated V6 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9-speed automatic & All-wheel-drive |
| Max power | 295 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Max torque | 270 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm |
| 0-100 km/h | 6.8 sec |
| Curb Weight | 4440 lbs – 2014 kg |
| Top Speed | 120 mph – 193 km/h |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG – 10.7 L/100 km |
