Yahoo Autos 2023 Infiniti QX60 Review: Now worth checking out
Pros: Well-equipped; handsome interior; sharp exterior styling; solid towing capacity
Cons: No hybrid option; cramped third row; there are better three-rows for the price
The 2023 Infiniti QX60 is relevant and worth considering for the first time in a long while. It’s based on the proficient Nissan Pathfinder, and Infiniti brings a lot of good to the table with this three-row SUV. The design is immediately eye-catching, as the curvaceous body panels blend and wrap around this rear, giving it a very sleek and attractive profile. Plus, its beauty isn’t just skin deep. Infiniti ditched the old model’s frustrating CVT for a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the result is a driving experience that better matches its luxury car badge. It would be nice if there was more than just the standard 3.5-liter V6 available — such as a hybrid or PHEV — but the single engine is at least a competent one with enough power for above-average towing capacity.
Despite the QX60 being a perfectly competitive SUV these days, don’t think that it’s now a class leader. Other options in the luxury space such as the Acura MDX, Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90 would find their way into our garages before the QX60. Even non-luxury-branded alternatives such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee L or Hyundai Palisade/Kia Telluride in their top trims compete strongly against the QX60. The base models offer a plethora of standard equipment that many luxury manufacturers don’t offer, so the best play Infiniti has to offer is in value. That said, if you want every luxury in the book, the top-trim Autograph delivers with gorgeous interior appointments and a high-tech cabin. It’s still tough to recommend the QX60 over others in this segment, though, as the over-$50,000 starting price puts it squarely in the sights of our favorite three-row vehicles.
Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy
What it's like to drive | Pricing & Features | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What's new for 2023?
The QX60 was all-new last year, but Infiniti has a few updates for 2023. The wireless charging pad is now standard across all trims. A frameless rearview mirror is added, and the lower bumper accents are updated with new colors. Lastly, all QX60s will now have "Infiniti Premium Care" as standard, which includes three years of free inspections, oil changes and tire rotations.
What are the QX60 interior and in-car technology like?
The QX60 is equipped with a respectable, but far from segment-leading luxury interior. The dash has a low and wide lower plane that feels modern and airy. The air vents are hidden in one wide opening in this zone, and many surfaces feature stitched upholstery. Base models feature gloss black trim, with upper trims getting aluminum or natural finish wood trim. The top Autograph trim, pictured in tan above, combines that lovely wood trim with unique-looking quilted leather on top of the dash. In black just below, you'll see the Luxe trim pictured.
All QX60s feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It runs the same infotainment suite that you find on Nissans, and that's a good thing. The software features large, easy-to-find and easy-to-press icons. It all runs quickly and smoothly and is responsive to taps. We also appreciate that climate and audio controls have dedicated controls below the air vents. The volume and climate knobs are particularly appreciated, though a number of touch-sensitive buttons to control other climate items like the heated seats are frustrating to use. The base model QX60 also has analog gauges with a 7-inch information screen nestled between them. All other trims get a 12.3-inch digital instrument screen. Either option is clear and easy to read, but won't ever come across as pushing tech boundaries.
How big is the QX60?
The QX60 is a large three-row SUV comparable to the Acura MDX, Lincoln Aviator, Cadillac XT6, Hyundai Palisade and Jeep Grand Cherokee L, among others. It's available with two seating configurations. The base configuration has seating for seven thanks to a second-row bench seat. The top-trim Autograph gets second-row captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to six. In our time in the QX60, we found it to be very roomy in both the front and second rows, which feature comfortable and supportive cushioning. The second-row seats have a clever tilt function that makes third-row access easier than most, and they can tilt without requiring removal of a child's car seat that may be in place. The third row is tighter for adults than it is in the Palisade, Grand Cherokee and Aviator, though.
