INFINITI

Supertest: 2022 Infiniti QX60 Luxe AWD

I recently reviewed the Infiniti QX55. I praised the compact, fastback crossover for its sporty handling and eager performance. Now we're at the other end of the crossover spectrum. The 2022 Infiniti QX60 is an all-new midsize three-row SUV designed for family use. This is not to say it's boring and slow — far from it! But it is a departure from the sporty Infiniti formula.

The short review is this: if you're looking for a midsize luxury family SUV with all the bells and whistles, the Infiniti QX60 delivers on all points with a reasonable price walk. One nice feature for sunbelt buyers on a budget: all QX60 trim levels are available with front-wheel drive.

Overview...The QX60 has been completely redesigned for the 2022 model year. The three-row crossover is available in four trim levels starting at $49,045, with about $16,000 separating the base model from the topmost trim.

It offers seating for seven, though the third row is really designed for kids, not adults. Power comes from the venerable Nissan-derived 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The 9-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox option, with the buyer’s choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

The QX60 competes with the Acura MDX, Audi Q8, BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Genesis GV80, Lexus GX, Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90. There are more, especially if you include the non-luxury brands. Almost every automaker offers an SUV in this market segment, and the competition is fierce on both price and features.

Exterior...The QX60 is a nice design. No one's going to hate it, unless you hate the whole idea of ​​bigger SUVs. That said, there's not a lot going on to mention. The QX60 designers went with the popular “floating roof” motif. This means the rear side windows are deeply tinted, and all the supporting pillars are blacked out, resulting in a solid band of black behind the driver’s side window all the way to the rear of the vehicle. Thus, the roofline appears to float. There is some side sculpture that is curved and flowing, but really what you’re going to see is just a midsize SUV.

Interior...Infiniti gets points for an extremely comfortable SUV, which is far more important than making a fashion statement with the exterior. The front seats are Infiniti’s special “Zero Gravity” design, which offer delicious comfort, good lumbar support and heat on all trim levels. If you go two steps up the trim ladder to the Sensory trim, the front seats also come with massage and cooling ventilation, and the second-row seats become heated captain’s chairs. Infiniti knows their market very well.

As a family SUV, cargo is important. You get 14.5 cubic feet, which is about the same as a midsize sedan trunk, behind the third-row seats. That jumps to 41.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 75.4 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded down.

Powertrain...As I mentioned, the only engine option is a non-turbo 3.5-liter V-6. Don’t be disappointed, as you’re getting 295 horsepower, 270 pound-feet of torque, and a real 9-speed automatic transmission instead of a continuously variable unit. So the QX60 has plenty of power for its size.

One nice feature is any of the four trim levels can be selected with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Selecting FWD saves you $2,000 compared with the comparable AWD trim, except at the highest Autograph trim level, where it saves you $2,900.

The truth is modern traction and stability controls and a good set of winter tires on a front-wheel drive vehicle will get you through water, snow and ice as well as AWD. You'll still want the winter tires with AWD, so unless your personal usage needs really require driving all four wheels, you might as well save a few bucks. If you do get the AWD, note that it is capable of sending 50% of torque to the rear wheels as needed.

If you plan to tow a trailer, any QX60 can pull up to 3,500 pounds, but the standard QX60 does not include a hitch receiver or the pre-wiring for trailer lights or brakes. The good news is, Infiniti offers a $900 Tow Package on the top Sensory AWD and Autograph AWD trims that provides all that stuff, including a trailer brake controller and a trailer stability program for the automatic stability control. With the tow package, the QX60 can pull up to 6,000 pounds. If you order a QX60 in one of those trims, adding the towing capability can be a smart investment.

Safety and Technology...The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the QX60 with its best rating, Good, in all available crash tests. Additionally, the QX60 gets top marks in frontal crash prevention for both vehicles and pedestrians. Infiniti didn’t get the coveted Top Safety Pick rating, but the QX60 is safe.

In addition to all the standard safety features you expect with any new vehicle, every trim level of the QX60 offers blind spot monitoring, automatic rear braking, forward-collision warning, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warnings. In the upper trim levels, the QX60 will intervene on lane-departure and blind-spot issues.

On the dashboard, Infiniti provides a 12.3-inch screen, which doesn’t look as big as it used to seem. But you’ll get wireless Apple CarPlay and plug-in Android Auto in every trim. There are a bunch of USB ports scattered around the vehicle, and the top trim comes with wireless device charging in the center console. Optionally on mid-grade trims and standard on the top trim, you can have a 10.8-inch head-up display and a very nice 17-speaker Bose audio system. 

Driving Impressions...The QX60 is above all, comfortable. You can drive this SUV as far as you need to in a day and hop out feeling relatively fresh. It’s got plenty of power to get the job done on a short passing lane or a steep incline. Driving through the mountains, it’s predictable and will never give you a surprise. 

However, the QX60 drives as big as it is. You won’t discover the hidden soul of a sports car in this SUV. It is, as the saying goes, what it is. That’s not by any means a bad thing. Most of the people driving the QX60 will have rear seat passengers, so stability and a smooth ride are desirable. As we noted a few weeks ago, if you need a crossover but your heart wants a sports car, try the QX55. 

As we’re headed toward the end of the 2022 model year, prices have already been adjusted upward a bit from the initial rollout. At press time, the base Pure trim retails for $49,045 including $1,195 in destination fees.

Stepping up to the Luxe trim (which is what our test vehicle has) costs $55,095. The next step to Sensory trim jumps to $59,240, and the top Autograph trim starts at $62,545. Add $2,000 for AWD, or $2,900 for AWD with Autograph trim. 

At each trim level, Infiniti adds some nice features, including Infiniti’s ProPilot Assist advanced driver assistance with Luxe trim, massaging front seats, wireless charging, and Bose audio with Sensory trim, and the second-row captain’s chairs in Autograph trim. 

The price walk isn’t terribly steep as you climb the trim ladder, but it’s also true that you can get selected upgrades through option packages. Our Luxe AWD test vehicle came with the $900 Performance Audio Package, and that got us the Bose stereo for a bottom-line price of $56,825. 

I’d take $2,000 off that and choose Luxe front-drive for $54,825. But I’d daydream a lot about the massage seats in the Sensory trim. Regardless of which trim you choose, the 2022 Infiniti QX60 is a pleasant and useful ride.

2022 Infiniti QX60 Luxe AWD – FAQ

-How long does the Infiniti QX60 last?

According to enginepatrol.com up to 250,000-300,000 miles and 15-20 years with regular maintenance.

-Does the Infiniti QX60 require premium gasoline?

Infiniti recommends at least 91 octane gasoline for the QX60. In most states, that means premium gasoline.

-Are there any recalls on the Infiniti QX60?

There was a recall on the 2022 Infiniti QX60 for a possible missing mounting bolt on the second row seat track. The fault is easily identified and repaired at any dealership.

by Jeff Zurschmeide