If anyone you know has been shopping for a reasonably nice, not-quite-German-priced three-row luxury crossover in the past few years, chances are you’re familiar with the Infiniti QX60. It’s essentially a posh Pathfinder, which means it’s a cromulent family hauler with big material spend on the inside. Think open-pore wood, huge swaths of textiles, and available semi-aniline leather. Not a bad place to watch the miles tick away from, but what if you just aren’t interested in a third row of seats? Infiniti hopes that’s where the QX65 comes in.
This midsize crossover is essentially a QX60, just squashed a bit. Instead of a third row of seats, you get a silhouette that Infiniti claims is “inspired by the spirit of the iconic FX.” I suppose if you squint a bit, yeah. The important part is that it doesn’t have the same Bigfoot-sat-on-me roofline seen on the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, so it’s more visually polite than its German competition.
Other than a cut-back profile, you get options of up to 21-inch alloy wheels, a new shade of red with flakes of gold-coated glass in it, and either black or satin chrome trim depending on whether you go for the Sport or Autograph trim. No word on what sort of trim the base Luxe model comes with, but it’s probably not made of cardboard, Birkenstocks, or myrrh. Otherwise, yeah, the QX65 is to the QX60 what the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is to the Atlas. Quelle surprise.
The QX60 similarities do mean the QX65’s interior appointments approach the richness of a Viennetta, and isn’t that where you spend most of your time? Unless you’re Mr. Bean, driving a car from the outside is a bit difficult. Indeed, just about every major surface as far as the eye can see is coated in something nice. Sometimes that’s dark woods, sometimes that’s vinyl, sometimes that’s quilted rocket’s-red-glare semi-aniline leather. A bold color, sure, but have you seen the Klipsch speakers in the headrests? That’s a whiff of the jet age right there.
Of course, we can’t talk about a modern upscale crossover without talking about the available mod-cons. Unsurprisingly, the list of available amenities reads like a CVS receipt—massaging front seats, two different Klipsch audio systems with up to 20 speakers, Qi2 wireless charging that promises not to air-fry your phone, advanced driving assistance, dual 12.3-inch screens, and a camera system equivalent in power to the bullet time setup from The Matrix. While it won’t make your parking job look any cooler, it can basically make the hood of the QX65 invisible.
Power? Ah, yeah, about that. Under the hood sits Infiniti’s two-liter variable-compression turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 268 horsepower and 286 lb.-ft. of torque. Granted, early examples of this engine do have a bit of a reputation for not always holding together, but the nine-speed torque converter automatic transmission connected to it should be solid. Plus, a rated towing capacity of 6,000 pounds eclipses many competitors.
Expect the 2027 Infiniti QX65 to roll into showrooms this summer from $55,535 including freight. That’s a little bit more expensive than a Lexus RX, although we don’t quite know how the range will shake out. There’s just as much a chance that higher trims are less expensive than the equivalent Lexus RX as there is that they’re more expensive than the equivalent Lexus RX. Anyway, the QX65. It’s the first new Infiniti model in a few years, and it looks alright. If you like the QX60 but would be mortified if you were seen in anything with three rows of seats, this is the car for you.
Top graphic image: Matt Hardigree
I actually like the look.
I know, I know, it’s just another mid sized crossover, but I dig it’s big, in your face styling. And that interior looks great. Now it’s not a car I’d ever actually buy, but stylistically I dig it. Maybe Infiniti has finally hit its stride with its current design language.
Really? No CVT? Why are we going backwards here? What a shitbox.
The naming convention for this brand does it no favors.
When I was looking at car options I remembered the QX60 existed, and figured it might have a giant pile of cash on the hood so take a look online.
Then I saw that instead of the V6 the Pathfinder has, they put a 2.0T in there. Gives you a whopping 2 mpg more, and uses premium fuel. Kind of lost its already marginal appeal at that point.
Like I wrote earlier on the old site, I think I’d prefer a more simple Pathfinder (or as another commentor called it, a Methfinder) that was less ‘techy’.
The bad rep of CVTs is pretty apparent as the Nissan stuff that has planetary transmissions is advertising that prominently.
That grille is AWFUL! Infiniti? I just fell asleep…at least they used real colors. That Mr. Bean bit where he drives from the recliner on the roof is my favorite!
Why is Infiniti?
The average Infiniti store sells less than one vehicle per working day.
It’s got to be a financial drag on both Nissan and the dealer owners.
The Chevy store where I got my latest car averages 19 car sales per working day.