By Peter Hubbard


MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 4, 2017) Step into the “Way Back” time machine with me, and return if you will to 1990.  It’s a wild and crazy time for the Japanese automakers, as Toyota, Honda and Nissan have all decided that in order to keep the aging and increasingly affluent Baby Boomers coming back for more, they need to start new luxury channels. 

But rather than competing with the likes of Cadillac and Lincoln, they clearly have Audi, BMW and Mercedes in their cross hairs.  

 Toyota launches the Lexus division with the groundbreaking LS400 and the ES250 — a rebadged Camry.  Honda responds with its Acura Division and introduces its Legend and Integra models.  Like Toyota, Nissan's new Infiniti division chose to imitate the German competition by going with an alphanumeric naming system and comes to market with its first models — the luxurious Q45 and mid-sized M30 sedan.   



Over the next decade Nissan would add the G20 compact, the 4-door J30 coupe, the QX4 SUV and the I30 — a thinly re-skinned Nissan Maxima. 

While it managed to bump along with adequate sales numbers, the brand lacked a genuine “superstar” in the showroom until 2003 when the G35 arrived and was named the Motor Trend magazine Car of the Year. 

The same year Infiniti released its uniquely styled sport-tuned FX35 and FX45 crossovers that were able to piggyback on the G35's success.



The FX used the same components as the G35 sport coupe and was designed to more closely cater to the tastes of American sports car drivers. It combined dynamic handling capability with station-wagon-like versatility.

 Despite the early success of the G and F series models, over the next 10 years or so, it became clear that Infiniti’s “alphabet soup” naming convention was doing little to help establish the brand’s identity or allow it to make serious marketing inroads against its European competitors. 
    


So in December 2012 Infiniti announced a new product naming scheme where all sedans and coupes would carry a "Q" prefix while all crossovers and SUVs would wear a "QX" prefix. Instead of numbers indicating engine displacement after the prefix, the two digits that followed now indicate where in the brand's hierarchy the models fall.



The first model to follow this scheme was the Q50, which replaced the G sedan. The rest of the line has gradually transitioned to the new naming scheme.  Consequently there are now five QX crossovers and SUVs available from Infiniti, including the QX30, QX50, QX60, QX70 and QX80.

The luxurious QX60, the subject of this review, arrived later the following year as part of the three-row JX crossover family for the 2014 model year. The mid-sized QX60 offered good fuel economy without sacrificing interior space. With seating for up to seven, the QX60 was family-friendly and could haul up to 76.5 cubic feet of cargo with the second and third rows folded. 



Now fast forward to 2017. The current QX60 offers buyers all the style, comfort and power for which Infiniti vehicles are known, and tops it off with impressive safety technologies, a luxurious interior and seating for seven.  So if you’re in the market for a 3-row luxury SUV that features sporty handling, unique styling, plus a full range of high-tech driver-assist features, the QX60 for 2017 checks all the right boxes. An attractive base price of just over $41,000 makes the QX60 more appealing than similarly equipped models from such European competitors as Mercedes and BMW.

Powering the QX60 is a 295-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 that develops 270 lb. ft of torque.  It’s coupled with the only transmission available in the QX60 — a continuously variable unit, or CVT. 

For 2017 the QX60 gains direct injection which provides an additional 30-horsepower increase over last year.  But if you need more than 300 horsepower for towing or whatever, you might move up to the QX80, or consider more potent alternatives such as a Cadillac Escalade, Ford Expedition or BMW M5. 

It comes with a Drive Mode Selector, which offers four modes — Standard, Sport, Eco and Snow.

The transmission can also be moved into a “manual” mode that simulates shifting gears. Choosing the vehicle’s Sport mode (which changes shift points), makes it easier to pass or merge at higher speeds. Even without it, the stylish QX60 offers sportier handling than the competing Buick Enclave or Audi Q7.  In addition to excellent power and sporty handling you have your choice of front- or all-wheel drive (FWD, AWD) and distinctive styling that helps the QX60 stand out from other luxury crossovers.

It’s not quite as “out there” as the shapely FX models were (which I adored by the way), but it still stands out in a crowd. Infiniti also offers a QX60 Hybrid which provides slightly better fuel economy with similar performance. But since fuel prices are likely to remain relatively low for the foreseeable future, I’m not certain the extra cost and technology are worth the premium price. Fuel economy as calculated by the EPA is listed at 20 city/27 highway for the FWD version, 19/26 mpg for the AWD and 25/27 for the QX60 Hybrid, equipped with a 250-hp inline 4-cylinder.



Our test vehicle had a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $43,100 when equipped with a V-6 and front drive. The QX60 Hybrid begins at just over $53,000. Our dark grey “Graphite” press car was loaded up with options, of course, which resulted in a final sticker price closer to $60,000 — $58,245 to be exact. 

The Premium Package added a 13-speaker Bose audio system, memory seats/mirrors for both driver and passenger, heated front seats, downward tilting outside mirrors when shifted into reverse, two-way driver’s seat lumbar support, roof rails and a rear bumper protector. 

The $2,900 Premium Package Plus adds another layer of slick electronic gadgetry, including Infiniti’s voice recognition InTouch navigation system that include lane guidance assist, 3D building graphics and a host of convenience services for easy access to food, fuel and lodging. 

Also included is a front and rear sonar-detecting moving object detection system, plus a rain-sensing windshield thrown in for good measure. While many cars offer collision warning and intervention systems, what sets the unit in the QX60 system apart is its ability to look at the car beyond the one in front of you, thus anticipating situations in which the driver directly ahead will likely respond.

For families needing to keep the brood in the back seats under control, there’s a $2,150 Theatre Package which adds dual 8-inch color monitors, wireless headphones, rear headphone jacks if you want to plug in  your own headphones, a remote of course, and both 12V and 120V power outlets, among other things. 



But if you REALLY want to impress the neighbors, check the box that adds the $7,300 Deluxe Technology Package.  It replaces the 13-speaker Bose unit from the Premium Package with a 15-speaker surround-sound system, a 2nd and 3rd-row moonroof, heated second-row outboard seats, 15-spoke aluminum alloy wheels mounted on 20-inch tires, a trick climate control, intelligent cruise control (that brakes for you), a lane departure warning system and motion-activated rear liftgate. 



Or, if you prefer, simply buy a REALLY NICE used Nissan Altima or Honda Accord to send your high school graduate off to college in! No juke, in my mind $60,000 is a lot of bread, and a $7,300 option package for off-the-shelf electronic gadgets …?   Well, you get my drift.  However, as we noted previously, its starting price is in line with other luxury SVUs like the Acura MDX and Lexus RX350. And it’s actually $10,000 or more below such rivals as the Audi Q7 and BMW X5. 



EXTERIOR

Last year the entire QX60 range received a refresh, complete with reshaped headlights, a slightly revised grille, retuned suspension and steering, and an upgrade in the amount of sound insulation. A number of new features including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection were also added as part of the upgrade.

While we kind of miss the sleek styling of the old FX series models, the QX60 is no slouch in the looks department.

 The side view shows a gently sloping roof, but that design doesn’t adversely affect the QX60's impressive interior room. One of the key styling cues of the QX60 is the bowed window frame at the back of the side windows. A smaller version of this design detail can also be seen on Infiniti's elegant Q60 Coupe. In back, the power-operated tailgate makes it easier to load and unload gear and groceries.

INTERIOR



The QX60’s comfortable front leather seats make highway miles go by in a flash, and climate, audio and navigation controls are easy to reach and use. The third row is surprisingly accommodating for two adults, and thanks to a second row that slides fore and aft, getting back there is fairly easy. Infiniti makes the interior even more pleasing with ample soft-touch materials, and by using laminated glass to make the interior quieter. Joining the list of options for 2017 is an improved rear-seat entertainment system and Wi-Fi. Safety features like collision avoidance, lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control were welcome features on our test unit, but as noted earlier they don’t come standard.

DRIVABILITY



Ride comfort is always a subjective topic, but in the QX60 we think those testing the vehicle will find it delivers a supple ride and light-touch steering without sacrificing sharp, crisp handling and responsive cornering.  For an SUV, the QX60 handles very well, indeed.  To ensure that Infiniti tuned its shocks and springs for aggressive driving, which is fine so long as the road remains fairly smooth. You’ll still notice something less than “good vibrations” when you hit troublesome expansion joints or deep potholes.  



Our week behind the wheel included an up-state trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth era to participate in festivities celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Joshua Experience 20-piece gospel jazz band.  With the abundance of cargo capacity, we were pleased to discover it not only hauled boxes of awards easily, and other goodies for the band members, but also 20-odd helium-filled balloons used to decorate the venue. Well, to be frank … I think we popped one fitting them all in. 

So it was only 19 that survived the trip from the party store to the concert site. In any event, the QX60 was the hero of the event, thanks to its skills in the “cartage” department.



My compliments to Nissan on how refined the CVT feels in the QX60. Quite frankly, I have not been a big fan of these types of transmissions over the years in previous applications in some of the smaller cars on the market.  It’s smooth and seamless shifting habits render it virtually undetectable, unlike the balky units I had previously experienced. Kudos to Nissan.   



Another feature we really liked was the Distance Control Assist (DCA). With bumper-to-bumper traffic now a part of everyday urban life, the DCA feature makes the daily commute a little less stressful. Should you become momentarily distracted, DCA helps out by keeping an appropriate space between your car and the car ahead, greatly reducing the possibility of a minor fender-bender.

CONCLUSION



The Infiniti QX60 is a serious player in the mid-size luxury SUV market, and has been winning new friends lately. In fact, it was recently named the “Best Luxury Three-Row SUV for Families” by U.S. News & World Report. The award cited the vehicle’s impressive safety ratings, cargo space and family-friendly features. Well, it is all that … and more. 

Through July, Infiniti sales are up some 20 percent to nearly 90,000 units.  Sales of the QX60 are down slightly, through no fault of its own.  The growing family of Infiniti crossovers now includes the compact QX30 and larger QX70, which have undoubtedly stolen a few sales.  Overall, Nissan’s CUV and SUV sales for 2017 were up 8 percent in July and 21 percent for the year, to over 57,400 units

Without question the QX60 provides all the luxury and style you’d expect from a $40,000 SUV.  

And if you’re REALLY into the high-tech gizmos and gadgets you can load this baby up with enough option packages to satisfy the likes of a Bill Gates.  Personally, I find some of them a bit distracting and perhaps even unnecessary.  But for drivers that are into safety, the Infiniti QX60 has enough warning lights, buzzers, cameras and sonar sensors to give them the kind of peace of mind you’re unlikely to find in most other vehicles. 

Now if only those nuts behind the wheel of other vehicles on the roadways were driving something as safe as your QX60 …