2023 Infiniti QX60 Autograph AWD
Class: Premium Midsize Crossover
Color: Warm Titanium
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 295-horsepower 3.5-liter |
| Engine Type | V6 |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles driven: 270
Observed fuel economy: 18.8 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 20/25/22 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $65,500 (not including $1195 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Lighting Package ($795), premium paint ($695)
Price as tested: $68,185
Quick Hits
The great: Vastly better vehicle than previous generation, drivetrain now appropriate for luxury class
The good: Rides and handles with European premium-vehicle character, quiet and comfortable cabin
The not so good: Requires premium fuel
Tom Appel:
If you’re looking for evidence that Covid messed with pretty much everything, look no further than the redesigned Infiniti QX60. Launched in 2013 as the JX35, the Nissan Pathfinder-based 3-row crossover never drew the customer attention Infiniti was hoping for. Blame a confusing name change for 2014 (to QX60), and the vehicle’s cranky and unreliable CVT automatic transmission for much of the customer resistance.
A thorough redesign for 2022 went a great distance in addressing the luxury crossover’s shortcomings, but the word doesn’t seen to be getting out, at least not yet. Infiniti retailed roughly 17,000 QX60s for 2022, up considerably from the 7000 it sold in 2021. But the number falls short of the 20,000 Cadillac XT6s sold the same year, and well short of the 95,000 Lexus RXs sold in ’21.
But launching a new vehicle during Covid has proven difficult, and we seriously doubt many new luxury-crossover intenders even have the QX60 on their radar. This is shame, as Infiniti has struck a near-perfect balance of class, content, and design.
Consumer Guide tested the redesigned QX60 in 2022, you can read that review here. Here we’ll focus on what we feel are the high points of this overlooked 3-row premium crossover–one which belongs on your test-drive short list.
5 Cool Things About the 2023 Infiniti QX60 Autograph
Smooth Power
Of the previous-generation QX60, we once noted, “Paired with a continuously variable transmission, the V6 QX60 gets around well enough for safe merging and passing, but if you’re not the kind of person who likes that “pressed back in the seat” feeling, then this may be the vehicle for you.” This is reference to the sloppy nature of CVT automatic transmission.
We’re happy to report that with its new conventional 9-speed automatic transmission, the QX60 responds alertly to throttle inputs and feels decidedly sportier than the previous-generation vehicle. Fuel economy, too, seems to have improved, with Consumer Guide seeing nearly 19 mpg in routine driving—well up from our observed mileage in previous-generation examples.
Confident Ride and Handling
Folks seeking the cushiest possible ride may not be impressed, but the redesigned QX60 now boasts much-improved handling accompanied by better ride control and sportier steering. We find the ride and handling balance to be much improved over the previous generation QX60’s. And, despite the more communicative chassis setup, cabin noise levels seem to have been reduced, especially at highway speeds.
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Modern Design
We were never fans of the 2016-2021 QX60’s curvy design, which looked squat from certain levels. The new ’60 enjoys a strong, lean, modern profile that likely better suits the expectations of luxury-car shoppers. Yes, at first blush the QX60 does look a lot like the Nissan Pathfinder on which it is based, but the difference is in the details, and the QX looks convincingly like a premium ride to us.
Nice Cabin
Very nice, actually. Carmakers have been upping their cabin game as of late, and consumers are the benefactors of this trend. The QX60 cabin is both modern and clean, yet still enjoys a healthy dose of premium detailing. The diamond-patterned white-piped leather seats in our test QX would not have disappointed in a vehicle twice the price.
Well Equipped
Our loaded, topline test truck came in at just over $68,000. For that price shoppers score, among other things, 20-inch alloy wheels, a standard towing package, panoramic sunroof, ProPilot semi-autonomous driver-assist system, Bose premium audio, wireless device charging, heated 2nd-row seats, massaging front seats, head-up display, and real-wood open-pore trim.
If that’s beyond the budget, the “entry-level” QX60 Pure with AWD starts just under $53,000.
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2023 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Gallery
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