There is a kind of misunderstanding around Infiniti. No one seems to agree on the underlying nature of this brand created more than 30 years ago by Nissan. The second generation of the QX60 does not answer this question.
Posted at 11:45 a.m.
The renewal of the QX60 currently has one goal: to make customers wait.
A matter of readability
In the next year or two, Nissan’s luxury brand will begin its all-electric transformation (see our boxes in tab 3) and should thus give more substance and clarity to its range. So there’s no need to rely on the new QX60 to shed light on the future and the positioning of this luxury brand within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi conglomerate.
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On the eve of a revitalization of its range, Infiniti furnishes the expectation with the means at hand. The renewal of the QX60 currently has one goal: to make customers wait.
Until the fog lifts on this side, Infiniti has been making no more mystery, for quite a while now, on this second generation of the QX60. Closely derived from Nissan’s Pathfinder, the QX60 aims to crystallize the brand’s current foundations by the time it finds its way to renewal. A transitional model? In a way, yes, insofar as this model shares, like its predecessor, its main technical components with the Pathfinder.
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The stylists favored the design of an elegant arabesque on the dashboard instead of integrating more harmoniously the essential “television” which acts as an infotainment screen.
There is nothing wrong with that. Virtually all competitors of the QX60 also hide their commoner origins behind titles of nobility. And with the QX60, this naturally translates into delicate and sparkling flourishes to “frame” the brand’s aesthetic codes. These coat a body shorter, higher and wider than the previous one. These new proportions are not as obvious as the more robust build that this Infiniti displays.
Some edits
A smell of “fresh paint” (in the figurative sense, of course) is noticeable when opening the doors. A new decor that is both more sumptuous and more functional than in the past. Alas, the stylists favored the design of an elegant arabesque on the dashboard instead of integrating more harmoniously the essential “television” which acts as an infotainment screen.
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The designers of the QX60 have achieved a homogeneous, balanced, quiet and comfortable vehicle.
That said, we are pleased to discover a greater number of storage spaces in the front and generously curved seats. In the middle section, the buyer has the choice between a full-width bench seat (the most logical choice) or two individual armchairs.
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In the middle section, the buyer has the choice between a full-width bench seat (the most logical choice) or two individual armchairs.
The latter are by far the most pleasant, but space is limited in the third row. Therefore, here is a rather huge vehicle to accommodate only four people.
The Infiniti QX60 in brief
Price range: $54,995 to $67,995
Visible in dealerships: now
WE love
Removing the CVT box
Increased towing capacity
Valuable interior design
We love less
V6 running out of developments
All-wheel drive still unresponsive
Three rows of seats, but four real seats
Our Verdict
All that glitters is not gold
In all honesty, it wouldn’t be the first time that the size of an SUV appears disproportionate in the area of the habitability/footprint ratio.
That said, the third row is more easily accessible than before and now offers more hip room, but less leg and shoulder room, than the previous version. Always compared to the latter, the volume of the trunk also regresses when all the places are occupied or completely folded down.
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The third row is more easily accessible than before and now offers more hip room, but less legroom and shoulder room, than the previous version.
All is not lost. Once the third row is buried under the floor, the trunk of the 2022 QX60 is 39 L more than that of its predecessor.
Overcome the pitfall
No need to climb the QX60 on a lift. Even less to disassemble its wheels. The architecture is the same. Never mind, the QX60 unbolts the inappropriate continuously variable gearbox (CVT) in favor of another, classic this time, nine-speed.
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The QX60 unbolts the inappropriate box with continuous variation (CVT) with the profit of another, traditional this time, with nine reports/ratios.
A salutary change, insofar as this box had a certain impact on the towing capacity of this utility and on the sensory perceptions generally associated with CVTs. The nine-speed gearbox corrects everything, has practically no harmful impact on consumption (compared to a CVT, of course) and also allows you to tow some 450 kg more.
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The latest version of the QX60 has a shorter, taller and wider body than the previous one. These new proportions are not as obvious as the more robust build that this Infiniti displays.
By its softness, this box tempers the vociferations of the V6, now more discreet, but still fond of hydrocarbons. There is worse, but there is also better. Faced with competition that competes in audacity on the technical level, the QX60 is limited to offering an engine that some will consider (not without reason) obsolete for a vehicle of this rank.
While the competition practices the reduction of displacement and the electrification of the thermal engine, at Infiniti, it is the status quo.
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The V6 engine, now more discreet, is always fond of hydrocarbons.
The brand limits its offer to an atmospheric engine which, in the current context, was already short of developments. It will be criticized for its lack of flexibility at low revs and its not very linear power curve. Its consumption too. On this subject, it is rather difficult to explain this recommendation to favor the highest octane number.
Even if it is not the most avant-garde in the category, the QX60 probably ticks all the boxes contained in the specifications given to its designers. The latter, forced to pull out all the stops (well, almost), have produced a homogeneous, balanced, silent and comfortable vehicle. The steering offers a good feeling and allows the vehicle to register with aplomb and confidence in the turns. More so on a slippery road.
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Once the third row is buried under the floor, the trunk of the 2022 QX60 is 39 L more than that of its predecessor.
The four-wheel drive (standard across the entire range) is more alert, of course, but too passive to contain torque increases in the steering wheel or unexpected drops in grip. Again, some rivals don’t do better, but others do.
Where are they ?
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Quebecer Karim Abib, ex-chief stylist of Infiniti, presented the Qs concept study at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. Since then, he has since taken his pencils to Kia.
On the occasion of Infiniti’s 30th anniversary celebrations in 2019, brand leaders promised three electric vehicles “within three or four years”. Where are they ? The luxury brand of Nissan had then indicated two sedans and an SUV. Three vehicles that were to take up the features of the Q, QX Inspiration and Qs concept studies. This last one (our photo) had been presented by the head stylist at the time, the Montrealer Karim Abib. He has since taken his pencils to Kia.
50 > 60
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In Canada, Infiniti sold 2,158 copies of the QX50. The QX60 found 1040 takers.
In Canada, the QX50 remained Infiniti’s best-selling vehicle in 2021, with 2,158 units, up 13.8% from the previous year. The QX60 takes second place, with 1040 vehicles. An understandable situation insofar as Infiniti had communicated the renewal of the QX60 quite early. Several potential buyers preferred to wait for the new version. For the record, the QX60 trailed much closer to the QX50. During the year 2020, the gap was only 64 vehicles sold between the two models.
Tell us about your experience
The Press will soon publish the test of the following vehicles: Acura RDX, Kia EV6, Lexus ES, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Jetta (GLi) and Toyota 4Runner. If you own one of these vehicles or are waiting for delivery, we would love to hear from you.
Infiniti QX60 spec sheet
Motor 3.5L V6 DOHC
295 hp at 6400 rpm
270 lb-ft of torque at 4800 rpm
Performance
Weight: 2097 kg
Ground clearance: 170mm
Towing capacity: 2721.5 kg
Gearbox
Standard: nine-speed automatic
Optional: none
Drive mode: all-wheel drive
Tires
255/60R18
255/50R20
Tank capacity
70L
Recommended Gasoline
Great
Consumption
11.6L/100km
Dimension
Wheelbase: 2900mm
Length: 5033mm
Height: 1770mm
Width: 2185 mm (exterior mirrors included)