The infiniti QX60 might be best described a minivan meets SUV. But that’s hardly what is important about this 7-passenger people mover. The QX60 is comfortable, easy to drive, accommodating, and expresses a driving quality of a vehicle half its size. If you’re more in the market for an electric vehicle, give our Chevrolet Bolt EV first drive review a read too. And if you need more optons, be sure to look at our best luxury cars review.
From start to finish the QX60 feels above and beyond its starting price tag of $40,000. Wood trim, comfortable seats (and many of them) and an all together solid media/nav system are just a few enjoyable aspects of the QX60. But all of that becomes second place once you glance up at the panoramic moonroof. If you’d rather drive a smaller car you might want to read our Chevy Bolt EV review.
I drove the QX60 around town for a few days, with relative ease despite its overgrown nature. Darting in out of traffic was no problem and nor was parking in virtually any spot that wasn’t marked compact. Steering is easy on the hands, and the ride height and positioning makes it easy to view the road that lay ahead. If you love this article, you’ll also be interested in our review of the original Volkswagen Bug: goes electric with a new conversion.
But it wasn’t until I sat in the second row of seats and was carted (i.e. driver) around the streets of LA that I was able to glean it’s true meaning: relaxation. Generally speaking the back seat in most cars runs second place to shotgun. Not the case in the QX60. Perhaps it was the fair bit of leg room (enough for me to sit comfortably – I’m 6’2″) or the soft and supple ride that seemed to almost glide over the asphalt. Whatever it was, I thoroughly enjoyed QX60’s backseat. Which leads me to believe that any kid, small or large, would be satisfied, save for any teenage status issues. For BMW lovers, check out our review on the BMW M4 officially unveiled.
Powertrain wise the QX60 is very impressive. For a vehicle of its size, it’s spirited and zippy thanks to the finely tuned 3.5l V6 that produces 265hp. And surprisingly, the CVT transmission with manual mode is smooth and decidedly on point. Transitioning from a smaller car to an SUV is never an easy feat, but with the QX60 it was just that.
Related: If you like this car, be sure to check out our 2014 Mercedes E63 AMG S review.
The exterior, as mentioned in my opening, is something akin to a minivan like shape. I’d much prefer to think of it as in SUV, but after some friends suggested otherwise, I couldn’t help but see more utility than sport thanks to a long body, lower stance and less aggressive front end.
Jumping into the third row isn’t likely something you’ll want those in short skirts or of an old age doing. And while I didn’t spend much time in the way back day dreaming about how to best fit a mattress inside, I can say it was comfortable and not too jarring an experience in terms of leg room and back comfort. Plus the entire second row seat moves forward, making the egress and ingress all the easier.
Related: Also check out our 2014 BMW 435i review.
The nav system found in the QX60 is neither remarkable or difficult to use. However, it does boast some tech that is not just commendable, but that I’d love to see in other cars. This includes a smartphone app that lets you unlock the car’s doors and also notifies you if your vehicle leave a set proximity – great if your weary (as I am) of joy riding valets or a teenage somebodies. And for to the kids you can opt for dual 7-inch screens, each with their own wireless headphones.
Make no mistake, the QX60 isn’t merely about fun and go. Optional are a variety of safety features that include: lane departure warning, a 360 degree camera view, Backup Collision Intervention (it engages the brakes before you run Timmy over), blind spot monitoring, and last but not least a forward collision system that can pre-pressurize the brakes using radar and in a worst case scenario apply them if radar detect an eminent accident.
So at this point I think it’s fairly well established there is little to dislike about infiniti’s QX60. In my book it’s not the looker I’d want it to be, but inevitably, at some point in life, one has to compromise looks for practicality. Price isn’t a massive hurdle, and with the technology packages there are still a handful of amenities that can put you in a position to boast to peers about what you drive.
