Test bench | Infiniti QX60: beware, fresh paint

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ?

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

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.