Preview: 2022 Infiniti QX60 Transforms the Luxury SUV

Long-needed redesign adds new tech, improved powertrain, and driver assistance features

By Jon Linkov

June 23, 2021

Infiniti’s redesigned 2022 Infiniti QX60 three-row luxury SUV—like the very similar, recently redesigned Nissan Pathfinder—replaces a long-in-the-tooth QX60 model that was desperately in need of an update.

This redesign, according to production information and images released by the company on Wednesday, has transformed the QX60 for 2022. The cabin has a modern look, doing away with the recessed infotainment display that screamed “outdated tech” while adding rich leather and modern controls.

The exterior is now in line with the rest of the Infiniti product portfolio, with a better balance of chiseled strength and soft curves.

The 2022 Infiniti QX60 gets standard active safety systems, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, along with the ProPilot Assist active driving assistance system that uses adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance to keep the SUV within the travel lane.

Like the Pathfinder, only one powertrain will be offered, with a choice of either front- or all-wheel drive. The SUV will go on sale later this year, and pricing will be available closer to the on-sale date.

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What the QX60 competes with: Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT6, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus RX-L, Lincoln Aviator, Volvo XC90.
What it looks like: It appears to resemble a 2022 Nissan Pathfinder that found its way into a luxury clothing boutique.
Powertrain: 295-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine; nine-speed automatic transmission; front- or all-wheel drive.
Base price range: $46,850 to $63,250.
On sale: Fall 2021

CR's Take

Like the similar Pathfinder, this redesigned QX60 is a much-needed infusion of new product into Infiniti’s lineup. And like its Nissan sibling, the Infiniti looks to be a significant step forward—at least according to its spec sheet.

From handsome styling to a well-appointed interior, the QX60 has the goods to compete on the luxury front.

Outside

Put the new Pathfinder next to this QX60 and the lineage is crystal clear—they’re cut from the same cloth. The basic square shape is the same, with similar fender flares and roofline. But the 2022 Infiniti QX60 is draped with more elegant-looking sheet metal and trim. Whereas the Nissan has a blunt-force look to it, the QX60 incorporates more curves and softer surface transitions.

It starts with the large chrome-framed isosceles trapezoid grille that is flanked by two narrow headlights that sport standard LED lighting. There’s less visible protective plastic cladding below the grille and surrounding the wheel arches than on the Nissan, and the body features more detailed sculpting and flowing surfaces. The bottom of the doors are highlighted by a chrome strip.

Images provided by Infiniti show the available all-black roof, which blends into the piano-black roof pillars, giving the QX60 the “in-the-moment” design look of having the roof float above the body.

The bodywork and roofline appear to taper toward each other nearing the tailgate at the back of the Infiniti, with standard LED taillights wrapping around the fenders. As is fashionable these days, large chrome-looking fake “exhaust ports” flank the license plate, while the actual tailpipes are hidden behind the bumper.

Inside

Here is where it’s less apparent that the QX60 is based on the Pathfinder. Aside from the steering wheel, the gear selector, and the driving-mode knob between the front seats, the rest of the QX60 interior looks bespoke, particularly the top-trim Autograph model in the media images.

A wide 12.3-inch touch screen, standard on the QX60, is a major element, mounted prominently on top of the center dash. It has an elegant, integrated look rather than the tacked-on, workmanlike screen in the Pathfinder. All functions are handled via the screen or steering wheel controls; there aren’t any knobs for tuning and volume, nor are there central control knobs or touchpads between the front seats.

The top of the panel housing the screen has quilted leather surfaces, which also appear on the first- and second-row seats. Below this panel are air vents that blend into the beltline-level piano-black trim that runs the width of the dash. This element also extends to the door panels.

Below that trim sit capacitive climate controls that provide feedback when touched, similar to a tablet or smartphone. It’s nice to see that knobs are used to select the temperature for the three-zone system. The rear-seat climate controls are buttons on the back of the center console armrest.

Images here feature the available 12.3-inch screen in the gauge and information cluster that sits in front of the steering wheel. It can display traditional elements such as vehicle speed and engine rpm, along with the Infiniti navigation system.

There is also a 10.8-inch head-up display available; it projects key information onto the windshield. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility is standard, and CarPlay can be used wirelessly. However, wireless phone charging is optional, so you may still need to plug that iPhone into one of the USB charge points—up to seven are available.

Seven-passenger seating is standard in the QX60, with the second-row bench seat holding three passengers and seating for two passengers (i.e., children) in the third row. The second-row captain’s chairs shown here are exclusive to the Autograph version.

The second-row seats can be equipped with heating, while the driver and front-seat passenger’s standard eight-way power adjustable seats can be optioned to include heating and ventilation, as well as a massage function.

One-touch controls tilt and slide the outboard second-row seats forward, providing a path to the third-row seats, which Infiniti claims are roomier than in the previous generation.

Like the Pathfinder, the QX60 features the ability to tilt and slide the seat forward while a child seat is in place—of course, this should be done without a child in the seat. Up to four lower anchor and tethers for children (LATCH) points are available in the second and third rows.

Infiniti says folding the second- and third-row seats provides an almost flat load floor and an area capable of holding 41.6 cubic feet of cargo. Of course we will test this when we buy our own QX60 because we measure cargo area based on how big a box can fit through the tailgate opening. (See how CR tests cars.)

Topping this all off is a standard panoramic moonroof.

What Drives It

Only one engine and transmission combination will be available when the QX60 goes on sale: a 295-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This is the same powertrain that powers the new Pathfinder.

Similarly, the QX60 will be available with both front- and all-wheel drive, the latter of which can send up to 50 percent of available power to the rear wheels if more grip is needed. Again, like the Pathfinder, a properly equipped QX60 can tow up to 6,000 pounds.

Safety and Driver Assistance Systems

Infiniti is equipping all QX60s with standard forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, and rear automatic braking. While, there is no mention of blind spot warning (BSW) being standard or optional, the feature is standard on the Pathfinder.

Given the price of the QX60, we expect BSW to be standard on all trims. This means that when we test the QX60, it will receive the full allotment of the available points CR awards for having FCW, AEB, and BSW.

The standard ProPilot Assist system uses adaptive cruise control and steering assistance to keep the QX60 within the lane markings while driving. It can also slow the SUV all the way to a stop in slow-speed traffic, then accelerate when traffic starts moving again.

Infiniti is also offering a driver assistance system called ProPilot with Navi Link, which will use navigation data to slow the QX60 as it goes through sharp bends or exits onto highway off-ramps.

Jon Linkov

I owe my career to two fateful events: my father buying a 1965 Corvette and my purchase of an Audi A4 rather than a Chevy Tahoe. The Corvette jump-started my love of cars, and the Audi led me to automotive journalism, track days, and amateur car repair. In my free time I cycle as much as possible, no matter the season.