2023 Infiniti QX60 Review: More Luxury but Still Rooted in Rugged
We took the 2023 Infiniti QX60 Sensory AWD for a spin to review what this luxury seven-seater SUV has to offer.
Nissan’s premium brand built the QX60 from a new platform last year but carried on with a tried-and-true V6 under the hood. For 2023, Infiniti tweaked the styling, increased standard equipment, and added a brand-wide maintenance incentive. But its inherent old-school nature carries on.
Just what is an Infiniti QX60? To explain, take a look at its platform-sharing, mainstream-market brother, the Nissan Pathfinder.
Think of the Pathfinder as a construction worker on the job: tough, no-nonsense, and hardworking, but a bit rough around the edges. The QX60 is that same worker, all clean and dressed up to attend a family wedding. And just like many work-with-their-hands types, Infiniti proved that the Pathfinder cleans up real nice.
2023 Infinity QX60 Review
To start, Infiniti swapped out several different contrasting angles, colors, and materials for a classier, more streamlined front end. The rounded trapezoid-shaped front grille is filled with a nice open weave pattern, a large chrome Infiniti logo takes center stage, and more chrome covers the grille’s perimeter. Squinting eye headlights complete the look.
It’s a similar story in the back, more cohesive, smoother lines, less work boot, more loafer.
Even when taking in the profile, the subtle chrome window trim and rocker panel accents — not to mention the door handles — blend in more gracefully with the paneling and roof to give the overall body more curb appeal. If the Pathfinder is Carhartt, the QX60 is Banana Republic.
Looking Inside, Setting a Standard
Stepping inside, you’ll see nice trim wrapped around tons of tech and leather seating for the first two — of three — rows. Infiniti proved generous with standard equipment in this premium midsize crossover SUV class.
The power liftgate is a good example, as well as the three-zone climate control system. And new for 2023 is a wireless smartphone charging pad too.
Speaking of, you can connect your smartphone wirelessly to Apple CarPlay as well, though you need a USB cable for Android Auto. No worries — Infiniti scatters several ports throughout the cabin.
If you connect such a device, it will operate on the system with the standard 12.3-inch center console touchscreen.
Up front, you’ll keep cozy with heated seats and let in plenty of natural light throughout with the panoramic moonroof. Again, all standard.
Finally, new for 2023, Nissan’s premium brand offers Infiniti Premium Care on the QX60 and all of its other models as well. Basically, it’s free maintenance for the first 3 years. Think of oil changes, tire rotations, inspections, and the like.
Moving on Up
The aforementioned is part of the Pure-trimmed QX60; from there, you can step up to a Luxe, Sensory, and all the way to the top-of-the-line Autograph model. Infiniti lent me a Sensory AWD QX60 to review, which added ventilation and massaging features to the front seats, heated second-row seats, a nice wood trim, and a higher-end sound system.
Furthermore, it included a $1,500 optional Vision package, which added an adaptive front-lighting system, a heads-up display, and a rearview mirror. The rearview mirror is now frameless and doubles as a screen for a camera mounted up high in the back.
All told, it’s quite swanky. But I still went without semi-aniline leather seats, the second row of captain’s chairs, and more that come with the QX60 Autograph. No matter, I found the interior pleasant to both be in and look at. And whenever I got down about my lack of “semi-aniline” surfaces, I just let the QX60 give me a massage.
Keeping It Old School Under the Hood
All this new, wireless, digital fanciness inside, and yet Infiniti continues to power it all with the same V6 that’s been with us for a while now. That’s not a bad thing, mind you, but noticeable is the absence of hybrid anything or even turbochargers to help rush air into the combustion chamber for an explosive party.
In fact, this brings several positives. First, the 3.5L delivers power with linear buildup and predictable response. Assuming you fill the tank with the requested premium fuel, the V6 returns 295 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 270 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm.
Those stout, workhorse numbers also beat the Nissan Pathfinder, which has the same basic setup, by 11 horsepower and 11 pound-feet, respectively, though the Pathfinder only asks for regular fuel.
This pairs with a smooth-operating nine-speed automatic transmission that continues to either the front or all four wheels. Ticking the AWD option box will set you back an extra $2,000-2,900 on the Autograph. If you do, the system can send up to 50% of the power to the rear axle, which is both nice and appropriate.
Retaining Its Work Boot Roots
In this premium segment, Infiniti’s V6 does reveal its rough-around-the-edges beginnings. This is not the smoothest-operating engine in the class, and it’s definitely a step below the creamy nature of the I6-equipped German competitors such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
But this 3.5L growls satisfactorily when you request it and otherwise operates quietly in the background.
Furthermore, when equipped with AWD and the $900 Tow package, the QX60 can pull up to 6,000 pounds’ worth of toys behind it. And, honestly, the old-school nature of the setup adds a bit of confidence about handling the load. By the way, FWD QX60s still tow a respectable 3,500 pounds.
There’s also plenty of space if you’d rather haul than tow. With seating for seven, the QX60 provides an adequate 15 cubic feet of storage.
Drop the back row, and that increases to a much healthier 42 cubic feet.
Just you, a friend, and a bunch of stuff? Collapse the second row for a flat floor and 75 cubic feet of room.
Premium Drive, Albeit With a Stiff Upper Lip
Befitting a crossover SUV with a larger, naturally aspirated engine and enough structure to tow heavy toys, the ride is on the stiff side of luxury. Compared to others in the premium class, you’ll feel the bumps more here. It’s never harsh or unsettling; the QX60 remains surefooted but certainly not buttery smooth.
Personally, this didn’t bother me a bit — well worth it to increase the capability and usability of the QX60. But for those who steer clear of the lumberyard or the trailhead, and toward the manicured lawns with caviar and toast point brunches, you’d be underwhelmed.
On the plus side, the cabin isolates wind and road noise well, and the massaging seats keep things quite comfortable. Even fuel economy is respectable: 20 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 22 combined for AWD models.
Infiniti also stuffed a myriad of driving aids into the 2023 QX60. For example, my Sensory QX60 came with adaptive cruise control with steering assist. This means it will keep the QX60 centered in the lane as well as maintain distance behind others on the interstate — if you’re into that kind of thing.
2023 Infinity QX60: Classy Yet Not Afraid to Get Its Hands Dirty
A 2023 front-wheel-drive Infiniti QX60 Pure starts at $50,395. That’s reasonable considering the high levels of standard equipment and space. Our all-wheel-drive Sensory-trimmed review model with all the added options — $1,500 Vision package, $795 Lighting package, and $695 premium paint called Grand Blue — stickered at $64,785.
For that money, you get a rare collection of attributes: good looks, a strong foundation, and old-school muscle … also, less refinement and panache than its competitors. But you know what? That describes a lot of people.
There’s honor in getting your hands dirty to complete a task and taking on the physically demanding work to accomplish a goal. Perhaps they’re not your most comfortable, but you still look good in your fancy clothes. And there’s value in an SUV that can do the same.
Virtually build your own 2023 Infinity QX60 and find your nearest dealer to check one out yourself.
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