Three-row crossovers are consistently a big hit with buyers, and in the luxury SUV segment there is a crowded field of contenders from all the major luxury automakers — including Lincoln, Acura, Audi, Genesis and many more.
Infiniti, the luxury brand from the Nissan camp, puts up the 2023 Infiniti QX60 in this category — in essence, offering a more upscale version of its Nissan Pathfinder model.
Fresh off a 2022 redesign, there are only minor changes for 2023, and the QX60 remains a likable luxury ride that holds its own in the segment by offering a quality design both inside and outside the vehicle, plenty of standard features, as well as strong safety systems.
FYI
- Vehicle: 2023 Infiniti QX60
- Price as tested: $64,785 (starts around $50K)
- Best feature: Versatile and roomy interior, smooth ride, safety leader
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
- Who will want this vehicle?: Luxury car buyers seeking a solid three-row SUV from a trusted luxury brand
LOOKS
A strong design is essential for a luxury car to succeed, as the segment is full of beautifully designed vehicles. Infiniti has delivered both outside and inside with the design of the QX60, and competes very well across the luxury segment with its key rivals.
First, the exterior design is bold yet classy with a nice grille, and I was a big fan of the design of the LED headlights. A panoramic moonroof is included, as are 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels (18-inch wheels are standard) and rain-sensing wipers.
Infiniti offers seating for up to 7 passengers, and the interior is where the QX60 shines — with high quality seating that is quite versatile. There is an ample amount of legroom and headroom for passengers, and in terms of cargo room you get a maximum of 75.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down, 41.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 14.5 cubic feet with all three rows up.
Highlights of the interior include comfy leather seating for up to 7 passengers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, tailored dashboard, and splashes of ash wood trim. It’s a vehicle that the family will enjoy even on long trips, as there are lots of storage spaces and cup holders. And don’t forget about the optional massaging front seats.
Third row is a bit tight, so it’s best left for the children. Upper trims get captain’s chairs in the middle row, dropping total passenger capacity to 6. Climate controls are available in both dual-zone and and three-zone systems.
HOW’S THE RIDE?
Powering the 2023 Infiniti QX60 is a 3.5-liter V6 motor, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Total output is 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.
The QX60 features Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive as an option, with FWD being the standard offering.
In my experience, whether I was on main roads or the freeway, the 2023 QX60 offered a quiet, smooth and comfortable drive. The vehicle lets you choose from Drive modes including Eco, Auto and Sport, depending on the driving situation.
One area where the QX60 does lack compared to rivals is in terms of overall power, as well as cornering agility. Many rival SUVs from both European and Asian luxury automakers offer better driving experiences in this regard, and the QX60 can feel more cumbersome to get moving than you’d like at times.
Towing numbers have grown to a maximum of 6,000 pounds of capability, and the 0-to-60 speed clocks in at less than 7 seconds.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
Jumping right into the controls and infotainment setup, let’s just say the QX60’s system (centered around a 12.3-inch screen) presents a mixed bag, and the design of the system doesn’t measure up to some rivals.
For example, climate is one area where I didn’t like the clunky style of the touch controls. Similarly, the buttons to control tuning the radio are more complicated than necessary.
Thankfully, voice commands on the QX60 worked well, and I could pretty much control the audio that way without even using the buttons.
On the plus side, a wireless phone charger is now standard and well-placed up front. And the 17-speaker Bose sound system was excellent, including some sharp-looking speakers embedded into the car doors.
Other tech features included a navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, a Wi-Fi Hotspot, and multiple charging ports throughout the vehicle.
Moving on to the safety features on the QX60, there is more than enough included to keep up with the competition, including:
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors
- Driver Attention Alert
- ProPILOT Assist (a limited self-driving system that performed quite effectively in my testing, guiding me through curves without fail)
- Intelligent Cruise Control
- Predictive Forward Collision Warning
- Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection (warns of an impending collision and applies brakes)
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Departure Prevention
- Blind Spot Warning and Intervention
- Around View Monitor w/ Moving Object Detection
- Rear Automatic Braking (helpful in tight parking situations)
MPG
On paper, the 2023 Infiniti QX60 is among the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its category. Official numbers on the AWD version are: 20 city/25 highway/22 combined. Going with FWD gets you 21 city/26 highway/23 combined.
My real world testing was a bit shy of those numbers, though, as I never topped 20 mpg. And in the end, I averaged about 17 mpg. These numbers are not great, but this is a category where strong fuel mileage is a hard thing to find.
PRICE
The 2023 Infiniti QX60 that I tested was priced just under $65,000; and its base price starts about $50K. Trim levels include Pure, Luxe, Sensory and Autograph. That’s a wide range of pricing to fit a variety of budgets, and the good news is that even the lower trim levels offer impressive features and high-quality design and materials.
These numbers are less than you’ll pay for many of the QX60’s rival luxury SUVs from Europe.
You get respectable warranty coverage, with a four-year/60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, and a six-year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty. Infiniti also throws in four years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance, and Infiniti Premium Care+ will cover three years of oil changes/tire rotations/other scheduled maintenance.
BOTTOM LINE
With a classy design inside and out, the 2023 Infiniti QX60 crossover remains a key player in the luxury vehicle market.
While the QX60’s power and agility may fall short of some rivals, it’s still a strong overall package of elegance and innovation that should continue to attract luxury car buyers and will carry around your family and friends in style.
Matt Myftiu’s past reviews can all be seen online at autotechreviews.com. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews.
