The QX60 is the most important model in Infiniti’s product portfolio. The three-row midsize luxury SUV accounted for just under half of the brand’s total US sales in 2023, and it’s on track to do the same this year.
The current second-generation QX60 launched in 2022 alongside its corporate sibling, the Nissan Pathfinder.
Infiniti updated the QX60 for the 2025 model year with a new turbocharged variable compression four-cylinder engine, replacing Nissan’s venerable VQ-Series V6.
I spent a week driving a 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition around suburban Atlanta.
I was impressed by the QX60’s sleek design, quiet ride, and well-designed cabin.
Unfortunately, the QX60 is let down by its unrefined turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, dated infotainment system, and cramped third-row.
My test car came to $62,745.
The base, front-wheel-drive Infiniti QX60 Pure starts at $50,200, while the top-spec AWD Autobiography trim starts at $66,150.
My lower-mid-tier, all-wheel-drive Luxe trim test car starts at $58,800. Freight fees, upgraded Harbor Gray paint, and the $1,900 Black Edition package pushed the as-test price to $62,745.
The QX60’s sheet metal is understated but handsome.
Its subtle, sculpted curves, angular LED headlights, and large origami-inspired mesh grille give the Infiniti enough styling pizazz not to be boring.
At 198.2 inches, it’s the same length as the Acura MDX but five inches shorter than the Lexus TX.
The QX60’s 6.7 inches of ground clearance is low for an SUV of the genre.
However, its 6,000 lbs towing capacity is higher than the segment norm of around 5,000 lbs.
Under the QX60’s hood is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The 2025 QX60 is powered by Nissan’s KR20DDET 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine. The turbocharged inline-four produces 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The four-cylinder is less powerful but produces more torque than the outgoing V6, which puts out 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of twisting power.
The “VC” part of the VC-Turbo moniker refers to Nissan’s unique variable compression technology that can vary the compression ratio within the engine from 8:1 under hard acceleration up to 14:1 for more efficient operation while cruising along.
The EPA rates my all-wheel-drive Luxe Black Edition test car at 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined fuel economy, a two mpg improvement over the V6.
The QX60’s pleasant driving experience is let down by its unrefined drivetrain.
The Infiniti has the potential to be a really pleasant-to-drive luxury SUV. It rides smoothly and has a quiet cabin.
Unfortunately, the entire experience is let down by its four-cylinder engine. The new VC-Turbo motor has plenty of power, but instead of delivering that power predictably and linearly, it vacillates wildly between no power and massive surges of acceleration. It’s an acceptable trait for a Saab Turbo from the 1980s, but not in a modern luxury SUV.
According to Motor Trend, the VC-Turbo QX60 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, a full second slower than the outgoing V6-powered variant.
Noise from the VC-Turbo engine can also be loud and intrusive, which is tolerable if the engine makes a nice sound. Unfortunately, that’s not the case here, as the four-banger sounds cheap and tinny—again, not an acceptable trait in a luxury SUV.
Like its exterior, the QX60’s cabin is attractively styled.
The QX60’s cabin looks modern and attractive, with good ergonomics and material quality. I found the wide variety of strategically placed charging sockets and storage nooks to be particularly handy on road trips.
The QX60’s zero-gravity front seats are exceptionally comfortable.
The eight-way power black leather seats are also heated and cooled.
In front of the driver is a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Also, in front of the driver is a configurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
The QX60 comes standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Although Infiniti’s Nissan-sourced infotainment system was fairly intuitive to use, it looks dated compared to those found in its rivals. I was annoyed by the screen’s split layout, which only allows you to fully use two-thirds of the screen real estate.
My test car came with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a 360-degree camera system.
A large panoramic glass moonroof spans the first and second rows.
The feature is standard on all QX60s, which is impressive at this price point.
The second-row bench in my test car offers a competitive 37.7 inches of legroom.
Second-row passengers have heated outboard seats, dedicated climate controls, and access to a pair of USB sockets.
The leatherette upholstered two-person third-row bench seat has just 28 inches of legroom.
It’s one of the tightest third-rows in the midsize three-row SUV segment and should be reserved for children or very short trips.
Behind the QX60’s third row is 14.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which is small for this segment.
Cargo capacity expands to 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded into the floor and 75.4 cubic feet with the second row also folded.
All figures are significantly less than the rival Acura and Lexus.
The QX60 Luxe comes standard with a host of standard safety and assistance features.
All but the base Pure trim comes standard with adaptive cruise control, ProPilot Assist, lane departure prevention, and traffic sign recognition.
My verdict: The Infiniti QX60 is an attractively styled premium SUV with a pleasant cabin, but its unrefined drivetrain limits its appeal.
There’s so much to like about the 2025 Infiniti QX60. It’s a handsomely styled premium SUV with a well-executed cabin and solid tech content.
Unfortunately, that’s all been overshadowed by its lackluster, unrefined powertrain.
The lure of the VC-Turbo engine’s beefier low-end torque and better fuel economy is understandable.
That’s such a shame.
The post I drove a $63,000 Infiniti QX60. It’s a stylish luxury SUV let down by its unrefined engine. appeared first on Business Insider.
