The 2022 Infiniti QX60 luxury SUV is all-new for this year and brings with it a substantially elevated package of mechanical upgrades, exterior style and interior comfort.
Our Luxe AWD tester priced in at $57,520 which puts it square in the middle of the trim grade lineup which starts at $46,850 and can top out around $65,000. Thus it represents a nice balance of what most buyers will drive home in for our test.
Styling is familiar to Infiniti with its animalistic facial DNA. The grille is richly detailed along with its adaptive LED headlamps which have sharp looking daytime signature running lights. INFINITI is spelled out across the bottom of the grille as well as in its lower rockers and rear gate.
I liked the new look of the rear three-quarter view with its smarter and more formal roof-line. Gone is the old Infiniti “dog leg” look, in is something more sophisticated. The rear gate is power operated as expected here. Wheels are 20-inch alloys on this trim grade.
The cabin is where I found the most improvement over the previous generation, a genuine step up from the Nissan Pathfinder upon which its based for your spend up. Stitched soft trims abound on doors, center console and dash. It’s all well designed and feels of quality.
Technology is up too with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment system. The HVAC control panel too is a touch sensitive panel that really feels expensive and works well. Seating here is leather with ventilation and heating up front – very comfortable.
The second row slides and reclines with a nice seating height and a good helping of space. Even the third row has generous room for two adults. HVAC controls are provided for rear passengers as well as a full array of vents for all.
Powering the 2022 Infiniti QX60 is Nissan’s venerable VQ 3.5-liter V6 now showing 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque on the spec sheet. It comes mated now to a 9-speed automatic instead of the dreary old CVT of the last generations.
The combination provides for snappy acceleration, a more refined driving experience complete with steering wheel mounted paddles to shift with. It can tow 3500 pounds in this trim, up to 6000 pounds with the tow package available with the Sensory model.
EPA fuel economy is 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. In our week with it we only achieved 18 mpg which is well below that promised. A nod is given to the fact we had the AC on at all times and the auto-start-stop system never activated because of that.
The rub though is that the engine this year wants Premium fuel to get its promised horsepower. You can use regular unleaded but horsepower drops down to 284 ponies. Given gas prices today, that’s a bitter pill considering competitors offer similar or more power without having to use Premium.
Chassis dynamics were more impressive. Yes its MacPherson strut from suspension and multi-link rear is nothing out of the ordinary but they’ve tuned it well. Combined with a tight chassis and body structure, it flies over the washboard road with confidence and poise. It also is the quietest gasoline powered vehicle we’ve tested on our 70 mph freeway drive at 55.2 dB.
At the end of our week with it the major takeaway is that this QX60 is a major improvement over the last generation and very much worth a look if you are shopping for a mid-size luxury SUV.
