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
It’s a bit garish to me, but no manufacturer cares what I think. Not awful, but too much IMO. I also doubt it’ll do much to actually turn Infiniti’s fortunes around, consider how few of these it’s likely to sell.
The interior is great, nice amount of modern without leaning into the tech laden minimalism that’s currently taking over the industry.
I hear the V6 is coming, and if so, launching this with the 4 cylinder is a big mistake. That’ll be the first impression and the press will be full of “meh”.
I can see the FX inspiration but man was the FX ahead of its time. What a cool thing.
Interior looks pretty cool! Otherwise, meh.
Front is very nice. But side and rear-not so much.
I kinda like the side profile, but the top, bottom, front, and back not so much. LOL.
More like, Bigfoot-shat-me-out. To me they are hideously disproportionate things, and this Infinity takes the same shape with an added wedge at the back, but the wedge is a contrasting color, so the shape is the same visually. And the roof profile itself would not be a problem if the proportions of the vehicle were good, vertically. Instead, they look like a stretched bucket with curved lid, like the CrossCab.
I don’t love that it’s the same size as the QX60 but at least they changed the body, unlike Mazda with the CX-70.
With a good lease promotion they can probably mop up some Lexus/Acura shoppers and hook some people into the brand until more new models show up. Especially with the RDX going on a temporary hiatus.
I hope the initial rumors that it was getting a V6 come to fruition down the line. I actually like Infiniti’s design language a lot, and their interiors are quite nice/not horrific tech nightmares. But woof…you can’t be bothered to put a better engine in this damn thing? This is the same damn engine they put in the turbo Altima…and somehow the Pathfinder still gets a VQ?
Make it make sense. The VC Turbo stuff is unreliable and isn’t any more efficient in real world applications. At least the V6 is rock solid, reasonably efficient, and sounds decent so long as you don’t put an exhaust on it. For the love of god and all that is holy…DO NOT put an exhaust on your VQ. I am begging you…
I get the feeling the Pathfinder was eventually supposed to get the VC-T before they started walking it all back, and all the miscellaneous Infinitis and Muranos that did switch to it are lower risk products in which to use up supply of it. The Pathfinder name is in good standing again and they’re pretty invested in it for the future so don’t want to risk that, but Murano could drop off and Infiniti could just pick new numbers if need be.
The article on Automotive News the other day said it will be getting the V6 later, probably as a performance option.
Perfection is good, Infiniti is better. I guess hat’s why they copied Lexus hideous grille design. The interior looks like a nice place to be, but the exterior made me throw up in my mouth a little. What’s the approach angle on this? I almost feel like I’d need to angle the front when approaching or departing the curb cut to my driveway to keep from scraping the front.
I’m digging the profile of this – the sloping C pillar actually works (in form, not function) because it brings me back to the late, great FX35. You know, back when Infiniti was actually interesting and competitive.
They couldn’t even be bothered to put a V6 in there?
“If you can’t make it good, make it big. If you can’t make it big, make it red”
Paul Rand
Well it is a very nice red.
I just don’t vibe with huge vehicles that remove seats and space for “fashion” and then end up looking like… this. If I’m going to drive a big fat fatty, I’d like it to come with all of the capability of said big fat fatty.
Honestly, the high trim Pathfinders are really nice. And they come with the only powertrain Nissan provides that I find to be truly dependable, the VQ V6 with the 9-speed auto. You’d have to be a freaking nut to sign up for that VC engine. So for the extra money you get… a less reliable powertrain (that I’m going to assume provides no better performance based on the numbers), less space, premium fuel required, Infiniti dealers? (I can’t imagine this experience is THAT much better than the Nissan dealer, low as that bar is) a big fat stupid grille and I suppose, a nicer interior. Neat.
I’d like to add that Viennetta reference brought me right back to 1994. Nothing made my childhood home feel more temporarily fancy than a Viennetta for dessert.
This car is for idiots who have no taste and like to waste money. Gross. And yes, I see some of you like this car, you have no taste.
Infiniti is the worst car company and I can’t understand how they exist. They haven’t made a nice car in 20 or more years.
Infiniti has managed to keep decent interiors and avoid touchscreening the everything, but beyond that this is not remotely compelling. The VC engine is a joke. It can barely outrun a Corolla, and it isn’t efficient. It’s not fast, it’s not advanced, it’s not prestigious because Nissan burned Infiniti to the ground. I’m struggling to understand who this appeals to.
I was a kid when the Q45, J30, and G20 were released. Those were nice cars and they built a brand image quickly. But this is unrecognizable.
same, my dad had a q45, it was fucking awesome. I was just about driving age and got to run it a little. He did have a decent amount of maintenance on it, and he never bought an infiniti again. He is someone who got a new car every 3-4 years.
What is wrong with a third row of seats? They’re extremely useful IMO.
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.
I agree, it’s a good looking vehicle. I do wish the lattice grille were a little less shiny and a little tighter. But the interior looks killer.
268hp in what’s probably a heavy vehicle is underwhelming.
Lots of people don’t care about power – heck this is the same power as my WRX, but obviously in a heavier vehicle, so it won’t be fast, but it shouldn’t be terribly slow either.
Really? No CVT? Why are we going backwards here? What a shitbox.
Infiniti doesn’t understand the maths. A terrible engine needs to be paired to a terrible transmission because multiplying two negatives makes a positive.
The naming convention for this brand does it no favors.
I agree it is nonsense, but I don’t think it would matter what they called a product this uncompetitive from a brand this badly devalued. The Germans, Lexus, and Genesis sell alphanumeric mumbo jumbo all day long because they make things people are willing to part with money for.
Everyone else has built a reputation over years of supporting those alphanumeric mumbojumbo.
Add an “M” to any BMW, and you think it’s sporty. You can grasp than a Mercedes E is larger than a C, and S is the top tier. And, generally, higher numbers mean more engine power.
But you tell me that a QX80 and QX56 are the same, and larger than the QX60, but that the QX70 is somehow smaller than the QX60 – I’m just lost as to what everything is, now.
They’ve continuously destroyed legacy brand awareness.
I wish it was like old BMW or old Mercedes. A suv like that with a 6.5 liter V8? Hell yeah.
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.
The VC turbo stuff isn’t even more efficient in the real world either. The VQ is known to outperform its EPA ratings while the turbo 4 is known to underperform. They made a less reliable, more complex, less powerful, worse sounding engine that isn’t actually more efficient. Leave it to Nissan…
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.
Why are you the way that you are? Honestly, every time I try to do something fun or exciting, you make it not that way. I hate so much about the things that you choose to be.