Defining luxury the Infiniti way, 2015 Infiniti QX60 AWD
The popular 3-row / 7-passenger Infiniti QX60 is designed to push the boundaries of what a luxury crossover can be. Its unique features include exceptional seating flexibility and easy access to the roomy 3rd row (without having to remove a 2nd row child seat). Available advanced technology includes Infiniti Connection and Backup Collision Intervention™ (BCI) system.
The popular 3-row / 7-passenger Infiniti QX60 is designed to push the boundaries of what a luxury crossover can be. Its unique features include exceptional seating flexibility and easy access to the roomy 3rd row (without having to remove a 2nd row child seat). Available advanced technology includes Infiniti Connection and Backup Collision Intervention™ (BCI) system.
The popular 3-row / 7-passenger Infiniti QX60 is designed to push the boundaries of what a luxury crossover can be. Its unique features include exceptional seating flexibility and easy access to the roomy 3rd row (without having to remove a 2nd row child seat). Available advanced technology includes Infiniti Connection and Backup Collision Intervention™ (BCI) system.
The popular 3-row / 7-passenger Infiniti QX60 is designed to push the boundaries of what a luxury crossover can be. Its unique features include exceptional seating flexibility and easy access to the roomy 3rd row (without having to remove a 2nd row child seat). Available advanced technology includes Infiniti Connection and Backup Collision Intervention™ (BCI) system.
The popular 3-row / 7-passenger Infiniti QX60 is designed to push the boundaries of what a luxury crossover can be. Its unique features include exceptional seating flexibility and easy access to the roomy 3rd row (without having to remove a 2nd row child seat). Available advanced technology includes Infiniti Connection and Backup Collision Intervention™ (BCI) system.
It had been over a year since we had the opportunity of test driving a car with an Infiniti nameplate, in fact, it was right about the time they were rebranding all their models to start with the letter Q. At the time we drove what has now become known as the Q60 Coupe, and it seemed the naming convention was still up in the air as we were trying out a pre-production vehicle.
The QX60 however is not new to the line, just has a name change, it’s former moniker was JX35 and it is essentially built on the new Pathfinder frame from Nissan, but has way more glitz and glamour. There is also a Hybrid version that is available in this midsized crossover that is the only one on the market to offer 3 row seating.
Back in 2013 Nissan did a complete redesign of the Pathfinder, and by redesign we mean pretty much from the ground up, as the 2012 version has pretty much nothing in common with the new version. So Infiniti by the same token has what is essentially a new and different design in the QX60. It is in our opinion one of the better designs in the segment with more sleek and stylish lines, we might say it has sex appeal.
Competitors in this segment are the likes of the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Acura MDX, so the competition is tough and by necessity, exists this appeal to entice buyers in a highly competitive market. With a starting price at just under $44,000 the QX60 is one of the less costly in the segment, but as we found additional comfort and technology adds up in a hurry as our nicely equipped model hit almost $60,000.
The QX60 is actually built on a car framework which we found to be very enjoyable and made what is a pretty large vehicle easier to maneuver, especially in tight situations, something that moms would really like when on shopping runs for the family with kids in tow.
The QX60 has most of the competition beat in the kid-friendly department as the 2nd row of seats slide easily forward and back allowing for easy access from either rear door to the 3rd row of seats. In this respect it was a more van like setup, there was also a huge amount of legroom in the 2nd row with 41.7- inches of class leading legroom, and there is still 30.8 inches left for the 3rd row of seats.
On a short trip for a dinner in Provo, JaCoby and Hailey chose to ride in the back and said it was bearable for adults, but they wouldn’t have wanted to make a long trip of it in the 3rd row. Another great point was that with the entire seats up and used, there was still a good amount of space behind the 3rd row for groceries or other items needed to get the team around town.
The standard QX60 comes with front wheel drive which is kind of an anomaly with its peers in the marketplace, the all wheel drive which we had for a test drive would be the optimum choice for the Utah climate besides, and one we would make if shopping for a midsized SUV, especially if the reason for buying included hauling family and friends.
Gas mileage is not on the highlight list for the QX60, but we felt that the 23-mpg average we encountered from our week of driving was really pretty good for a vehicle that weighs over 4000 pounds and seats 7 people. The QX60 is equipped with a 3.5 liter 6 cylinder engine that puts out a nice 265 horsepower and 245 ft.-lbs. of torque. A racecar it is not but had plenty of power even when entering a busy highway…. we never felt that it needed more speed.
The QX60 comes very nicely equipped before adding on amenities, like leather all around, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, power lift gate, a smart key and pushbutton start. Infiniti has included a huge amount of luxury just to get started and dangles even more out there with the addition of different upgrade packages. Wait… there is also the standard moon roof that pretty much gave us all we would’ve wanted in a mom friendly SUV.
Of course our test ride came with 4 different optional packages that had been installed by Infiniti, and after a week with the QX60 we would recommend them all. Some for the safety features that they came with, and others because of added technology or just plain creature comforts, and let’s face it, if a luxury vehicle is in the cards it might as well make us completely happy each and every time we have to go anywhere!
The technology package would be a must because it came with all the safety features that any mom would want in a vehicle. Backup collision control that would not only warn of imminent collision it would apply the brakes, forward collision warning and braking. There was also blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning, with both including intervention, meaning the QX60 would nudge itself back into the lane or away from danger in the blind spot if needed. Also included was our favorite adaptive cruise control in this package.
Next up was the deluxe touring package that added 20- inch wheels, making a smooth ride even smoother. The Bose audio system was upgraded to a surround sound system, the front seats were now climate controlled, which really meant they were now cooled along with the heat. The 2nd row of seats got heat, and the 3rd row of seats would fold back into place when put down at the touch of a button, no reason to go to all that manual work. The largest addition with this package was the huge rear moon- roof that seemed to encompass the entire rear of the vehicle.
The premium package added memory seats in the front of the vehicle, so switching between mom and dad, driving would be a snap. There was also the “all so wonderful” heated steering wheel, the most fantastic thing for those cold mornings without gloves! This package also gave us a remote engine start feature and a more intelligent key, we never did find out how the key got smarter as the doors opened as we expected and the QX60 would start with the press of a button.
The premium plus package ponied up the navigation package, a larger 8 inch touch screen, voice recognition, instant traffic and weather, the now famous around view monitor that puts all four sides of the vehicle in the monitor while backing up, a feature that has come in handy for us more than once in a tight parking lot. Rain sensing wipers and Bluetooth audio streaming rounded out this package.
Overall there were things that might normally come standard in all these different packages, but for the most part the QX60 is very nicely equipped and can be made into mom’s favorite place to be! Dad will also feel right at home with the entire family in tow driving the new QX60 from Infiniti. See one today and Tim Dahle Infiniti in Murray at 4594 South State, 801-262-5500.
Base Price: $43,800
Price as Driven: $56,090
