Just what Infiniti wants to become – or what it is today – is probably a regular topic of lunchtime conversation at parent company Nissan’s headquarters.
The division’s updated-for-2016 QX60 certainly doesn’t define anything, but it does represent a nice upgrade of a model deservedly popular with families looking for a decent dose of luxury in a three-row crossover.
Changes for 2016 are subtle, but a tightening down of the crossover’s suspension, some updated styling inside and out, and a few new safety features make it worth a look for those in the market.
Moving up
Underneath, the QX60, which debuted a few years ago as the JX35 and was renamed as part of the brand’s rather confusing revamp, remains a Nissan Pathfinder. But it’s a dressy Pathfinder, with an interior that suits its $42,600 base price. That’s about $6,000 more than a Pathfinder SL, which is equipped about the same but comes with a shorter warranty and lacks Infiniti’s upmarket dealer experience. The value equation makes more sense at the low end of the QX60′s spectrum, however, as a to-the-gills Pathfinder Platinum checks in at a staggering $13,000 less than the fully-optioned, $58,845 QX60 AWD we sampled in San Antonio recently.
For $13,000, you do get nicer interior accouterments, including additional soft-touch trim on the dashboard, acoustic glass for the front driver and passenger windows, and a new gear lever for 2016. You’ll also net a host of camera-based collision prevention tech including new-for-2016 Predictive Forward Collision Warning, a cool technology that looks two cars ahead to anticipate an impending collision. If the car two in front hits its brakes, the Infiniti will let you know.
Still, that’s a lot of coin, so for 2016, Infiniti buttoned down the QX60′s suspension with new dampers, spring rates, and bushings, in an effort to deliver a driving experience more up to the brand’s performance positioning.
Not only can you carve corners a bit faster in the updated 2016, you’ll look a little better doing it. A revised front fascia, new tail lamps, and updated 18 and optional 20-inch alloy wheels add a touch more on road presence.
Like the Pathfinder, family-friendly features abound. The second row of seats scoots forward with ease to allow for above average access to row three. For 2016, Infiniti added lots of USB outlets, including two for the third row, but it also removed the rearmost ventilation outlets, a move the brand says allows the remaining vents to work more effectively.
Materials are nice overall, especially the leather seats, but they fall short of the bar set by European luxury brands. Let’s put it this way – we wouldn’t be surprised if there are a lot of part numbers shared with the Pathfinder.
The sporty choice?
Infiniti markets the QX60 as “built for families” and “designed for drivers.” Families? Yes, especially given how comfortable all three rows of seats are. Drivers? Well, not really, but the updated QX is sharper and marginally more entertaining than before.
Underhood, last year’s 3.5-liter V6, putting out 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft. of torque, carries over, as does its continuously variable transmission. AWD, fitted to our tester, adds $1,800 to the bottom line. That powertrain is nicely isolated from the passenger cabin and it delivers more than acceptable acceleration, but it hardly turns this family hauler into a rocket ship.
Infiniti continues to build a hybrid version of the QX60, but the brand admits that its appeal is limited in the United States, so most assembled at the automaker’s Smyrna, Tenn., assembly plant are destined for overseas markets. An American dealer can special order a QX60 Hybrid for a roughly $6,500 premium if you so desire. But you probably don’t.
On the road, the QX60 carries itself nicely over smooth pavement and even rough terrain hardly upsets the cabin. There’s more road roar from the tires than we think is appropriate for the segment, however, and while the CVT is generally unobtrusive, hill climbing can leave it growling its way into the upper reaches of the rev range. Around town, the QX60 acquits itself better, feeling fairly lithe and nimble in tight situations, especially for a vehicle with such a roomy interior.
Even around town, however, the Infiniti is more isolated from the road than the MDX or the Volvo XC90, both of which fulfill the “designed for drivers” approach far better. It’s those two models, both of which are newer designs than the QX60, which make this Infiniti something of a tough sell.
While we didn’t have the opportunity to sample fuel economy, the AWD QX60 is rated at 19/26 mpg city and 22 mpg combined, figures acceptable for the class.
Leftlane‘s bottom line
No question the QX60′s 2016 improvements are worthwhile over last year’s model. But what makes it a tough sell is a glance at its rivals. Test drive an Acura MDX or a Volvo XC90 and you’ll be rewarded with a more authentic luxury feel, enhanced dynamics, and, frankly, a better value proposition.
2016 Infiniti QX60 base price, $42,600.
Photos by Andrew Ganz.
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