By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(December 24, 2024) The Infiniti QX60 is a mid-to-large luxury crossover with three-row, six or seven-passenger seating and all-wheel-drive. Since it was all-new for 2022 and has since received modest changes up to its current 2025 model. For 2025 there's a new Black Edition option ($1,900) available on the mid-level Luxe trim tested here, that adds 20-inch wheels, black roof rails, a black grille surround and identifying black exterior badging.

The interior features unique door sill protector plates and a black headliner; the exterior can be painted Mineral Black, Majestic White, or Harbor Gray the exterior of our QX60 that adds an additional $695 bringing the MSRP to $62,745 including destination charges.

The QX60 competes in a premium SUV segment competition with vehicles like the Lincoln Aviator, Acura MDX, Buick Enclave and Land Rover Discovery, below luxury brands such as the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Genesis GV80 and Mercedes GLE.

Appearance wise, the QX60 is an outwardly attractive, modern styling with a comfortable, handsome interior with enough spacious room for five adults and a third-row suitable for children. The highlight of the interior are the “Zero gravity” front seats are among the most comfortable we’ve tested in any vehicle, and were designed at Yamakazi Laboratory at Keio University, crafted to intentionally “more closely follow the natural curvatures of the human spine to reduce pressure on the hips.”

Our Luxe trim included  niceties such as heated and ventilated front seats, 2nd row heated only seats, power tilt-telescoping steering wheel, 17-speaker Bose stereo system, heated steering wheel, power panoramic moonroof, wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay with Android Auto, SiriusXM radio with access via the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. But the infotainment system looks and feels dated but has mode button below the bottom of the screen for frequently used features. The navigation map can now be pinched for zooming in. It also splits into two pieces so you can look at the map and satellite radio station at the same time.

For 2025 the QX60 Infiniti discontinued the previous V6 engine in favor of turbocharged 268-horsepower 2.0-liter four cylinder that has been used in the smaller QX50 SUV since 2019 making this engine a hand-me-up.

After our week of testing it was clear this engine isn't a good fit for the larger QX60 that gives up 27 horses to the outgoing V-6 and requiring up to 4,500 rpm to rear its peak torque. The four-banger works hard to move the QX60 up to highway speeds or when passing. Nor does it feel smooth and engine noise in the cabin is more pronounced when the engine revs high.



There's also more wind noise than we've experienced with competitors. There's paddle shifters on the steering wheel to manually shift the nine-speed automatic transmission  that helps acceleration a bit when Sport drive mode is engaged. It holds the lower gears a bit longer but the oomph just isn't there in any appreciable amount and the transmission is hesitant to downshift at mid to higher speeds. The minuscule amount you might save with fuel economy compared to the outgoing V-6 isn't worth the under performing four-cylinder trade off.

As expected, there's a full ensemble of standard driver-assist features including rear automatic braking, rear cross traffic assist, predictive forward collision warning, and forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and prevention blind spot warning and intervention, Around view monitor cameras with moving object detection. The QX60 also gets Nissan’s ProPilot Assist hands-on driver assist feature with Navi link, steering assist & speed limit assist, speed adjust by route and intelligent cruise control with stop and hold.

Overall the 2025 Infiniti QX60 is a good SUV but near the bottom of the pack in its competitive set with Acura, Lincoln, Buick, Volvo and others. The engine just doesn't cut it for this vehicle and there's no driver reward when it comes to driving satisfaction. Its not that it's bad it just doesn't reach the level of "premium" or  "near luxury" achieved with competitors in its class.

The Nissan Pathfinder from which the QX60 is based is the non-luxury version of this vehicle and while the driving dynamic is similar it could be a more affordable choice if the more upgraded features of the QX60 aren't an absolute must.

Vital Stats

Base Price: $58,800
Price as Tested: $62,745
Engine/Transmission: 258 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
EPA Fuel Economy: 22/27/24 mpg - City/Highway/Combined
Seats: 7
Where Built: Smyrna, Tennessee

Crash Test Safety Rating: Highest possible 2024 Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Highest overall five star from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Competes With:
Acura MDX
Buick Enclave
Land Rover Discovery
Lincoln Aviator
Volvo XC90

Likes:
Attractive styling
"Zero Gravity" seats
Roomy enough for most families

Dislikes:
Coarse, noisy, slower engine
Too much of a Nissan Pathfinder
Rivals look-feel more upscale, premium