A Welcome Redesign Makes It Relevant Again

When Infiniti introduced its QX4 SUV back in 1996, not only was it the company’s first foray into luxury SUVs, it helped the segment gain traction at the time. Following the success of Toyota “J80” Land Cruiser-based Lexus LX 450 that arrived a year earlier as the world’s first, the QX4 landed in many affluent driveways with even a few pop culture appearances, despite lukewarm press. Its humble Nissan “R50” Pathfinder roots aside, the QX4 endured a small Escalade-like moment of popularity before being replaced by its bloated, family-oriented, and hugely forgettable three-row successor, the JX, in 2012.

The QX4’s latest successor, the second-generation QX60, continues the bloodline of being a fancified version of the Nissan Pathfinder. The latter received a significant and hugely welcome overhaul in 2021 and thus, its Infiniti cousin followed suit a year later. Though over 20 years after its groundbreaking introduction, the QX’s appeal is far from what it was when Boyz II Men and Celine Dione shared Top 5 Billboard spots, and The Notorious B.I.G.’s death was still making primetime news.

Today, it continues clamoring for attention while the European, American, Korean, and other Japanese luxury brands fiercely dominate the midsize crossover SUV market. Can it actually get some? To find out,Infiniti sent me a midgrade QX60 Sensory, stickering its Monroney at $64,785 for a jaunt from Northern New Jersey to Virginia Beach for a friend’s wedding to find out.

In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, the vehicle reviewed in this article was driven on a daily basis throughout the course of daily life for a period of one week. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review
our methodology policy
.

2024 Infiniti QX60 Sensory First Impressions

It’s important not to always take labels at face value as the QX60’s “Sensory” trim is anything but sensory tingling, if that’s what first came to mind. Unsurprising, given that the QX60’s intended clientele are affluent families, often cross-shopping competitors like the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80. There’s no hiding that this segment is more crowded than a Taylor Swift concert and spine-tingling, tire-roasting performance is not the name of their game.

For starters, the new model inherits not just the Nissan Pathfinder’s latest bones, but its more rugged-looking, upright SUV-like profile as well. With Infiniti’s attractively curvaceous signature front end, a two-tone Grand Blue exterior color combination and more luxurious appointments, the QX60 expectedly looks eons better than its predecessor, both sitting at the curb and while in motion. It’s a significantly welcomed departure from the previous generation, which largely resembled a minivan but with more ground clearance.

The same welcoming change could be said for the interior, particularly on our tester’s mid-high range Sensory trim. Again, unsurprising given that the old QX60’s confines ticked over the decade-old mark when it finally ended. The new QX60 certainly delivers on the luxury front with its abundantly soft leather-wrapped surfaces—some with quilted patterns—and its clean layout and driver-oriented center console. The doors have heft and close with a solid and resounding thunk and all the switchgear appears different to its lesser Nissan cousins. But what happens when things start rolling?

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Still in action is the latest iteration of the front-wheel-drive Renault-Nissan “D platform,” with all-wheel drive optional. Nissan’s tried, tested and true VQ-family of V-6 engines continues as the sole engine of choice in 3.5-liter form. It now produces 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, versus the old model’s 265/248. Gone is the soul-sucking continuously variable transmission and in its place, a silky-smooth shifting conventional nine-speed automatic with a torque converter, compliments of pros at ZF Friedrichshafen.

Within the first few miles of driving around the suburbs of Northern New Jersey, the changes behind the wheel were just as apparent as the styling overhaul. Not only is the SUV’s overall shape more upright, but so is the driving position. With its long, sloping hood and spacious-feeling greenhouse, the QX60 almost feels as if it were based on a rear-drive SUV architecture.

The QX60 exhibits a bit more body roll than the Acura MDX and Genesis GV80 and while I don’t suggest driving the QX60 like a sports car, it manages itself considerably well for its size and type of vehicle. It’s a heckuva lot better driving than its predecessor, behaving predictably with fluid and accurate steering, thanks to it’s near 50/50 weight distribution (56% front, 44% rear), MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link independent rear.

Grip is surprisingly high, even at spirited driving speeds, thanks largely to its seamless and quick-acting all-wheel-drive system. There’s no adaptive suspension trickery at play, but the smooth ride with long suspension travel and acceptably good handling compromise are more than befitting the vehicle’s character.

Some larger bumps do resonate through the chassis harder than some of its more expensive European rivals, likely attributed to the 20-inch wheels, adding to the QX60’s more truck SUV-like persona. But combined with its upright driving position, excellent outward visibility, and large forward commanding view, the new QX60 does in a sense summon some of the original QX4’s rugged feeling from when it was a body-on-frame platform.

Braking And Acceleration

While far from a BMW X5M competitor, the QX60 does well to motivate itself toward forward progress thanks to the naturally aspirated V-6’s signature linear and wide power band, and butter-smooth shifts. Mash the pedal from a standstill and with just a hint of the VQ’s signature rumble, 60 MPH happens respectably in around six seconds, making for ample merging and passing power in quick-paced New York City metro traffic. It’s also well within its direct competition’s performance, matching the likes of the Genesis GV80 2.5T, Acura MDX, and even the new Lexus TX.

The brakes are well-matched and tuned with good overall pedal feel and progression. On a desolate two-lane bidirectional county road in Northwest New Jersey with considerable elevation changes and technical curves, a road normally reserved for testing some more performance-oriented vehicles, I found the QX60 handled itself well, wrapping itself around tight bends without drama if one supposedly came in too hot.

Performance Specifications

2024 Infiniti QX60 Fuel Economy

The 2024 Infiniti QX60 retains last year’s Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings of 21 MPG city, 26 MPG highway, and 23 MPG combined. Utilizing the vehicle’s on-board trip computer, the QX60 reported an average of 17-18 MPG in a mixture of fast-paced suburban and local highway traffic around Northern New Jersey. On the long interstate sprints down to Virginia Beach and back with liberal use of cruise control, the computer hiked that average to around 22-24 MPG.

Interior Design And Comfort

Premium materials, thoughtful layouts, and a hint of style are immediately apparent and significantly better executed in the new QX60. Once on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound towards I-95 and even around the smaller towns with county roads in the Chesapeake region, the QX60 certainly proved a pleasant long-distance cruiser, thanks to its heated, cooled, and massaging front seats that also strike an excellent balance between support and comfort. The second row also provides equal amounts of comfort, though without the heated, cooled, and massaging perks, with enough room for up to three average-sized adults. However, the middle occupant may feel a slight crunch.

Accessing the third row is a nice one-lever affair on the side of the rear seats, which can fold and slide forward with one hand. And although there’s space for average-size adults in the third row, it’s best left for really short trips, smaller framed individuals, or children. As I expected, with the third row deployed, trunk space is severely compromised.

Wind noises at high speeds are noticeably less than the old QX60, compliments of the more streamlined body; while the ride’s smoothness befits a vehicle with the word “luxury” in its marketing materials. Due to the more streamlined roofline and sleeker design, second-row legroom drops by a few inches, lending to a cozier feeling than the old model. Still, six-foot adults should be able to last for a few hours trip to a weekend getaway as the interior dimensions are largely the same as the old QX60.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Gone is the old QX60’s arrangement, which very visibly showed its age from 2000s-era sat-nav and infotainment graphics and an accompanying disorienting sea of buttons. Unlike the bulbously shaped center console of the old QX, the new dashboard features a driver-angled one, all made extra stylish by standard quilted leather surfaces.

The result is pertinent infotainment and HVAC controls that are easy to reach and use. It may take some getting used to if you haven’t been inside a new Nissan or Infiniti recently, but the learning curve is small and the layout is logical enough. Like many other infotainment-rich experiences in premium vehicles, the QX60 also sports a BMW iDrive-like center control dial along with a rocker shifter like the one found on the Pathfinder.

The QX60 comes standard at minimum with parking assistance, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, forward- and rear-collision mitigation assistance with automatic braking, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-departure warning with haptic feedback. Our mid-range Sensory came with all the bells and whistles, adding steering-assist for the lane-departure mitigation and blind-spot detection, and radar-guided cruise control, all of which performed well. Surprisingly, however, while users can connect Apple CarPlay either wirelessly over Bluetooth or via USB connection, Android Auto only works with a USB connection.

Cargo And Storage Space

As a big “midsize” luxury crossover SUV, passenger and cargo space are obvious focal points, with 41.6 cubic feet behind the second row with the third row down. With the third row up, that shrinks to 14.5 cubic feet, or about a few grocery bags worth. When all the rear seats are folded down, lots can be hauled with its 75.4 cubes.

These numbers are slightly higher than the outgoing model but are well within just a few inches of each other, so overall numbers in terms of cargo space hasn’t really changed much. What may be slightly different is the distribution of the space from the remodeled body. In a brief test with some toddler nephews and baby seats, the QX60 provided ample space for those two baby seats and two adults up front. Any more occupants with baby seats, however, and the QX60 is a tight squeeze, in which case, I’d recommend upgrading to a larger full-size SUV.

How The 2024 Infiniti QX60 Compares To The Competition

There’s no mucking about, this segment and price range for a “luxurious midsize crossover SUV with a third row that might see rare and occasional use” is so busy, considering all the options can be overwhelming. With a base price of $49,650, not only does it directly compete with models like the Acura MDX, Cadillac XT4, and Buick Enclave, it also rubs shoulders with some other near-luxury greats like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, the all-new Mazda CX-90, and even mid-tier and upper trims of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L.

Pile on the extras and climb up the trim ladder towards the top-spec $66,100 Autograph trim with all-wheel drive and luxury stalwarts like the Audi Q7, Genesis GV80, the all-new Lexus TX, Land Rover Discovery and Defender 130 come into play. But if we had to really pick one competitor that serves as the most direct competitor to the QX60, it would likely be the Acura MDX.

In this outrageously crowded space, the Infiniti QX60 does well to hold its own against many of its competitors. It’s not the most exciting, fastest, groundbreaking, or even the cheapest or offer the most valuable. But it does a good job at standing its ground in the middle of the pack as a good, comfortable, well-executed and safe choice alternative to the European leaders if you’re hunting for a quality, mature, spacious, and well-equipped luxury SUV with a three-row that sees very occasional use.

The QX60’s interior also provides the ambiance of a more expensive luxury SUV a bit better than some of its direct value-driven rivals, especially in mid- and upper-level trims. However, if you’re on the hunt for more unique features such as better performance, hybrid powertrain, better fuel economy, or even off-road capability, you’re likely going to look elsewhere.

How The 2024 Infiniti QX60 Compares To The 2024 Acura MDX

• 	2024 Acura MDX	2024 Infiniti QX60
  Model	MDX	QX60
  Engine:	3.5-liter V-6	3.5-liter V-6
  Torque	267 LB-FT	270 LB-FT
  Range	407 miles	488 miles
  Transmission	10-speed automatic	Nine-speed automatic
  Driveline	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
  MSRP	$49,550	$49,200
  Towing Capacity	3,500 pounds	3,500 pounds
  0-60 MPH	6.4 seconds	6.2 seconds
  Quarter-Mile	15.1 seconds	14.9 seconds

The 2024 Acura MDX is the 2024 Infiniti QX60’s direct rival, which continues a long-standing competition that’s been in existence ever since Honda and Nissan established luxury subdivisions for the American export market. Both have starting prices of around $50,000 with invoices that surpass the $70,000 mark with its fully-loaded top trims. Both are nearly dimensionally the same, offer compact third rows, offer all-wheel drive, all the technology and features you’d expect to find in its more expensive European rivals, and commendable driving and handling performance, but at a considerably lesser cost.

Performance

The QX60’s performance isn’t class-leading and while its straight-line performance is on par with most of its direct competition, it’s outperformed in the handling department by the sharper-handling, quicker and more responsive Acura MDX. While the QX60 isn’t an aggressive performer, it still drives admirably well and provides a good luxury SUV driving experience. The MDX in its most powerful form can zip past 60 in around 5.5 seconds, while the quickest time a QX60 can do it is in around 6.0 seconds.

Comfort

The Infiniti QX60 holds its own in the comfort department very well and is one of the more comfortable options in the segment. Infiniti and its parent company, Nissan, are known for making some of the best and most comfortable seats in the industry. Combined with its smooth ride and low levels of noise, vibration, and harshness, the QX60 certainly delivers the comfort. Other notable alternatives include the Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, and the Lincoln Aviator. Compared to the MDX, which is also a comfortable luxury SUV, the QX60 is certainly a tad bit more luxurious, quieter, and better dampened.

Technology

Thanks to Infiniti’s latest infotainment system finding its way into the QX60, the luxury crossover SUV’s technology performs well and is much more bang up-to-date than the previous model’s system. All the QX60’s Nissan-sourced active and passive safety tech worked as intended, while its controls and switchgear are logically placed and within reach of the driver’s seat. Both the QX60’s and Acura MDX’s roster for standard and optional equipment are extensive. Though both come with plenty of niceties to provide the luxury crossover SUV experience that most expect these days, ranging from lots of active and passive driver aids and safety tech, to quality radio systems, and comprehensive infotainment systems.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

From the get-go, the new Infiniti QX60 offers excellent value in terms of delivering the luxury crossover SUV experience, especially with its latest overhaul. It’s one that’s very close to what the competition offers on both sides of the spectrum. While the base QX60 Pure is a solid vehicle, the next-level $57,700 Luxe trim optioned with the $900 Bose premium sound system is the best value as it adds all the essential extras such as nicer 20-inch wheels, heated and cooled front seats, sat-nav with live traffic and cruise control assistance, and a 360-degree surround camera system.

Our Sensory model was plenty nice, but we didn’t see the value in jumping up to it as you only get different-style wheels, a steering wheel with softer leather, the Bose premium sound system as standard, “open-pore” wood trim, and massaging front seats. And while the Autograph delivers the full QX60 experience with all of the above plus semi-aniline premium leather front and second-row seating with contrast stitching, an electric “Smart Rear-View” mirror, a heads-up display, a Black Obsidian contrast roof color, a 10.8-inch heads-up display, and the tow package as standard with a 6,000-pound rating, its $66,100 starting price may have you gravitating towards the nearest Audi or Genesis dealer.