2022 Infiniti QX60: What the Doctor Ordered

The low-profile Infiniti QX60 is a key product for the Japanese luxury brand, accounting for 35 percent of total sales. The 2022 redesign is critical, as you can imagine. Heck, Infiniti told us it spent over 1.5 million hours working on it.

First, designers made sure to give the QX60 a fresh and attractive look. The evolution is a success as far as we’re concerned, with sleek lines and more modern-looking headlights and taillights. The new model probably won’t turn heads, but that’s not what most customers typically want in this segment.

• Also: 2022 Infiniti QX60: A New Design, at Last!
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The changes are more notable inside. Granted, the outgoing QX60 had a seriously dated interior, both in terms of styling and material selection. With a new, more elegant three-spoke steering wheel, revised centre console featuring a smaller shifter, and cleaner, more understated dashboard, things are so much better. There’s a larger 12.3-inch centre touchscreen, too, complete with a more user-friendly infotainment system.

Good Value

The 2022 Infiniti QX60 is available in four trim levels. The base Pure model has many features and amenities Canadian families look for including all-wheel drive, power adjustable and heated front seats (with memory for the driver), heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, panoramic sunroof and leather seating surfaces for $54,995.

Next up is the QX50 Luxury, which starts at $59,495 and adds ProPILOT Assist, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 20-inch alloy wheels. Just like the first one, maximum towing capacity is no more than 3,500 pounds.

If you want the full 6,000-pound tow rating, you need to select the Sensory model at $64,995. For the extra money, you’ll also get ventilated and massaging front seats, heated second-row seats, unique 20-inch wheels, 17-speaker premium audio, wireless smartphone charging, head-up display and digital rear-view mirror.

Finally, the top-line QX60 Autograph retails from $67,995. Look for premium leather upholstery, second-row captain’s chairs and a two-tone exterior with a black roof.

With that price range and equipment, Infiniti’s three-row crossover directly rivals the Acura MDX, although it’s not as dynamic or fun to drive. The company stresses that comfort and luxury prevailed over handling and performance during the development of the new QX60.

Comfort Does Prevail

It only took a few minutes to fully understand what Infiniti is talking about. Despite being blessed with a new steering and recalibrated AWD, the QX60 remains a bit clumsy and prone to understeer, lacking sharpness in corners even at normal speeds.

In comparison, the MDX is way more engaging to drive, whether around town or on open country roads. Steering is more responsive, while the rear axle feels livelier. And yet ride quality is not affected.

The QX60 prefers relaxed driving on the highway, delighting occupants with excellent noise insulation and a super-smooth ride. Similar to many other Nissan and Infiniti products, it offers Zero Gravity seats which rank among the most comfortable in the industry. After spending more than four hours behind the wheel, with a few quick breaks, we didn’t experience any discomfort at the end of the day.

New Transmission

What about power? The new QX60 continues to rely on the trusted 3.5-litre V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. However, the continuously variable transmission has been replaced by a nine-speed automatic, which is more suitable for towing and will prove more durable in the long run (we all know about Nissan’s CVT issues). Other than a few missteps from first to second gear when the engine was cold, the conventional autobox did a good job throughout the week we spent with the vehicle.

The strange thing is that the QX60 doesn’t even feel that powerful or torquey. Acceleration off the line and passing manoeuvres are quick enough to manage daily traffic with confidence, but that might change with six or seven passengers and some cargo on board.

As for fuel consumption, our tester averaged 9.4 L/100 km, cruising at 80 km/h on suburban roads most of the time. The official rating is 9.5 L/100 km, by the way. And due to relatively favourable weather, we didn’t get the chance to put the revised AWD system to the test. Maybe another time.