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Torque News finally got to take a closer look at the new 2022 Infiniti QX60 and some of its much-deserved upgrades. This remodeling arrives at a time when three-row luxury SUVs are multiplying to meet the needs of large families looking for refinement, but who are looking for a certain level of driving pleasure behind the wheel of their large utility vehicle. The QX60 is Infiniti's most important product in its catalog in North America. Needless to say, there is little room for error.
Like I said the 2022 model year of the Infiniti QX60 is a complete redesign.
What's new on the 2022 QX60?
The QX60 has said goodbye to its aging appearance and returns completely redesigned, thereby attempting to recreate the QX60 Monograph concept unveiled last year. In fact, we had given the past generations of the Infiniti QX60 a thumbs up, especially for its CVT. Recently, Torque News also reviewed the 2022 Infiniti QX80, which is bigger than the QX60 crossover and gives you 95.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity, 9.2-inches of ground clearance, and comfortable seating for up to eight passengers.
Pricewise, our model came with a total price tag of $57,520 MSRP. Prices change quickly, but the 2022 Infiniti QX60 trim prices range from $47,875 to $61,375 for the top trims. In fact, in the 2022 model year, Infiniti offers four trims for the QX60: Pure ,Luxe, Sensory and Autograph. Torque News test-drove the Luxe trim level, which offers 22 MPG fuel efficiency with 20/25 city/highway respectively.
Go shopping at any German competitor and you will pay a lot more. Yes, there is prestige with the German luxury moels, but in the end, what are you looking for? If it's a spacious luxury SUV with rich equipment, and reliability and discretion are more important to you than image and flafla, the QX60 becomes an interesting choice.
Exterior Design Changes of The 2022 Infiniti QX60
Although the front of the 2022 Infiniti QX60 remains recognizable and retains certain shapes and elements of the outgoing model, the rear takes things a step further with a new taillight design, in particular. The QX60 can now be ordered with a black roof.
Its design is scalable, modern, up to date, but nothing revolutionary. For Infiniti, this was perhaps the right course to take, because with sales weakened since 2019 especially, the introduction of a product with a sharper style would have been risky.
Interior Upgrades of the 2022 Infiniti QX60
Inside, the QX60 still offers space for seven passengers. But according to the manufacturer, passengers in the second and third rows benefit from more space. As for cargo volume, the QX60 can now carry 1,178 liters behind the second row. There's also a total of 54.1 liters of underfloor cargo, almost double the outgoing model.
The passenger compartment has gone through the scalpel. The 2022 QX60 is now more streamlined and clean using a completely different set of textures. A new 12.3-inch screen has been added to the dashboard, which is standard on all models. The system is compatible with optional wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless charging in some top trims, Wi-Fi hotspot and a new digital instrument cluster are among the technology upgrades.
The QX60 now features the enhanced ProPILOT Assist system with Navi Link. Recently introduced in the new Nissan Rogue, this driver assistance system now combines data from the navigation system with that from the sensors to make its operation more natural.
Upholstery options are limited by trim. Graphite leather is available on all trims, Sandstone leather is available on Pure, Luxe and Sensory, and Saddle Brown leather is available on Sensory and Autograph. Veneer options are similarly limited, with Black Lacquer available on Pure, Silver Metallic Weave available on Luxe, and Black Open-Pore Ash Wood available on Sensory and Autograph.
Engine and Power of the 2022 Infiniti QX60
Under the hood, the Infiniti QX60 retains its proven 3.5-liter V6 engine. However, it eventually ditched the anemic continuously variable transmission and adopted a 9-speed automatic. This powertrain produces 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque and can tow up to 6,000 pounds, 1,000 more than the outgoing QX60.
Infiniti has left aside the continuously variable transmission to use a traditional gearbox for the transition to this second generation. The new box increases the towing capacity from 5,000 to 6,000 pounds.
Onboard Experience
This is by far the strong point of the QX60. We enjoy inside a well-made environment. In fact, it's the whole design that is immune to low criticism. The quality of the materials passes the test, as does the design of the dashboard and the center console. User-friendliness is on point with easy-to-use controls. And no, it is not necessary to go to the menus of the navigation system to adjust many common functions such as the intensity of the ventilation.
As for the multimedia interface, it does what it has to do, that is to offer us all the possible connectivity by leaving us the choice to play the game or not (for example the option of connecting to the Internet).
In the back, the volume is generous in the second row and access to the third is always facilitated by the fact that you can slide the captain's type seats forward to free up space. It's not perfect, but there is a maximized availability of space.
The Drive
The naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 is still there with the 2022 Infiniti QX60, but it has undergone some customary modifications to improve performance and fuel consumption. Like the Pathfinder, the 2022 QX60 can finally boast of offering a minimum of driving pleasure. When the right foot sinks into the floor, the 6-cylinder emits a progressive sound. Infiniti has still added paddles behind the steering wheel, a detail that should be reserved for Sport mode (if you ask me) and even with the latter, the gear changes have nothing to do with those of the mythical GT -R and its dual-clutch gearbox.
Tankfully, the engineers did not limit themselves to changing a gearbox. The new platform is stiffer and it shows in corners, courtesy of a firmer suspension. The vehicle no longer pitches as much when pushed a little; in the previous model, this facet of the vehicle made you dizzy. The now electric steering has a lot of improvement. Even the soundproofing has improved, notably with more insulating material, but also acoustic glass. All in all, the 2022 QX60 is a better choice (than in the past) for extended rides, at least as far as the driver is concerned.
The Infiniti QX60 competes with the Volvo XC90, Cadillac XT6, Genesis GV80 and other two- and three-row midsize luxury SUVs.
I think the 2022 QX60 stands out from the pack in terms of looks. In fact, that's always been the case with Infiniti. The redesign is refreshing and features a mix of Range Rover-style design cues as well as touches steeped in Japanese culture that will give it some edge over the German competition that uses the same recipe over and over (but who can blame them, the recipe works).
With the QX50 not being as popular as Infiniti would have hoped, and the QX55 doing virtually the same, hopes now rest on the QX60. But is a redesign, a new transmission and a good price enough to keep up with the big competitors in the segment? While the improvement over the outgoing QX60 is nothing short of stellar, the QX60 will have to bring more driving dynamics if it is to compete. And we will have the pleasure of evaluating this aspect in particular shortly.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.
Reference: Luxury Car Magazine, Auto123, Motoryracing.
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