First Drive: 2022 Infiniti QX60 Review

Key Features:

• Expanded driver assist package
• 12.3” digital gauge display
• Luxurious new cabin

Direct Competitors:

• Lincoln Aviator
• Lexus RX L
• Acura MDX

The mid-size crossover is one of the most fiercely competitive arenas in the automotive market. It also happens to be where Infiniti is most successful. The luxury vehicle division brand of Nissan Motors calls the QX60 “the most important vehicle launch” in its history and represents 35 per cent of their overall sales. 

The QX60 is a handsome crossover but without a significant refresh since its launch in 2012, was starting to get a bit long in the tooth. It returns with a long list of upgrades that are not only firsts for the QX60, but for the brand itself – such as heated washer nozzles, front seat massage, around-view monitor with moving object detection, 4-door capacitive touch key, and 9-speed automatic transmission to name a few.

New QX60 SUV pricing and rivals

QX60s are just starting to roll into Canadian showrooms now. To keep it simple, the QX60 is offered in four well-optioned trims here in Canada, rather than the bewildering array of packaging and add-ons you’ll find in the U.S. Although the Americans get an optional front-wheel-drive model, all Canadian QX60s come with standard all-wheel-drive.

2022 Infiniti QX60 | Photo: Infiniti 

Standard features and available options 

Standard safety equipment includes rear automatic braking, rear cross traffic alert, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, predictive forward collision warning, blind spot warning, high beam assist, lane departure warning. 10 airbags, 4 LATCH anchors. 

Available in advanced driver’s aid ProPilot package are Adaptive Cruise with traffic sign recognition and NaviLink, driver attention alert, auto headlight levelling, lane keeping and lane centering assist, automatic speed adjustment for posted speed limits, stop and restart up to 30 seconds. 

Four QX60 trims: Base, Luxe, Sensory, and Autograph

The base model Pure ($54,995) comes with a 12.3” touch display, leather upholstery on front and second rows, heated front seats and steering wheel, panoramic sunroof with power screen and 3500 lb tow capacity.

Luxe ($59,495) adds on that with 20” wheels, 12.3” digital gauge cluster, ProPilot Assist with NaviLink, around view monitor, traffic sign recognition.

2022 Infiniti QX60 | Photo: Infiniti 

Sensory ($64,995) adds Bose Sound, climate controlled massaging front seats and heated second row, 10.8” head up display, smart view mirror, and ramps up the towing capacity to 6,000 lbs.

The top-spec Autograph ($67,995) adds dual tone paint with black roof, 2nd row captain’s chairs, quilted leather on seats and dash.

Main competitors are the similarly equipped Lincoln Aviator ($67,500-$81,900); Lexus RX 350 L ($60,250-$74,800) and Acura MDX ($56,405 - $67,405) but also offers a $46,900 FWD model.

2022 Infiniti QX60 interior

2022 Infiniti QX60 | Photo: Infiniti 

The new cabin is a big leap forward in style and comfort with a curved dash embracing the front occupants and “stadium seating” to increase visibility in second and third rows. Doors open wider to improve ingress and egress, and the second row now drops at the touch of a power-operated button. 

For safety’s sake, built-in sensors override this operation if there’s an occupant, or child’s seat in the second row. The QX60 is a three-row, 7-seater except for the 6-passenger Autograph trim which swaps the centre split row for captain’s chairs. 

2022 Infiniti QX60 | Photo: Infiniti 

There are 411 litres of cargo space behind the third row, which increases to 1,178L with 3rd-row folded, and 2,135L with 2nd and 3rd rows down. Underfloor storage increases to 54 litres. The black capacitive control panel is simple and easy to use but as with all such surfaces, is a magnet for dust and fingerprints.

There are up to 7 USB ports for all three rows. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. It’s a lovely interior, especially with the top trim’s diamond quilted leather on seats and two-tier dash.

2022 Infiniti QX60 | Photo: Infiniti 

Performance and driving impressions

First, a quick look at the specs:

• Engine: 3.5L V6
• Displacement: 3.5 litres
• Horsepower: 295 hp @ 6400
• Torque: (lb.-ft.) 270 @ 4800
• Drivetrain: all-wheel-drive

For a family passenger vehicle, the QX60 boasts a surprisingly taut ride. It’s ideal for road trips, or as we experienced, touring Ontario wine country. The new model boasts extra layers of sound deadening and front and side acoustic glass – which certainly pays off in terms of quiet refinement. New frequency dampers adjust to absorb bumpy roads by softening, or firming up to keep the car flat and balanced through curves.

5 drive modes

There are five drive modes: Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, and Personal – which lets you customize and combine settings. The driver can choose the level of throttle and shift responsiveness depending on drive conditions. The differences between these settings would be rather minute for a sports car, but they’re just fine for a family vehicle. The all-wheel-drive system was refined by exchanging the slower, multi-plate clutch system for a new direct coupling.

Under the hood: a near 300-hp V6 with a new 9-speed transmission

Power comes from the familiar 3.5L, 295 horsepower V6, mated to a 9-speed ZF transmission that’s new for Infiniti but has actually been in use by other brands since 2014. Tuned for fuel economy, the new transmission is an improvement over the previous CVT, but its many gears and complicated system of clutches make it a quirky performer that lags on downshifts. 

2022 Infiniti QX60 | Photo: Infiniti 

Most of the QX60’s competitors have opted for lighter, more efficient turbo-four cylinder engines, and while its own V6 is adequately powerful, peak horsepower doesn’t arrive until 6,400 rpm and peak torque at 4,800.

It’s a little slow to respond to quick throttle inputs, which isn’t helped by the 9-speed’s occasional hunting for gears. But you can hasten it along by using wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Verdict: is the 2022 Infiniti QX60 worth it?

The 2022 Infiniti QX60 is an attractive vehicle with an abundance of new standard and available features. The luxurious new cabin boasts a long list of comfort and safety technology and room for up to seven passengers. 

A taut, balanced chassis is somewhat let down by the drivetrains occasional lack of responsiveness, but overall the QX60 is a really pleasant family tourer with a lot to offer.

Here’s a look at our current inventory of certified, pre-owned SUVs and crossovers.