2020 Infiniti QX60 Road Test and Review

2020 Infiniti QX60 hero ・ Photo by Infiniti

Last year Infiniti sold nearly 118,000 vehicles in the United States — and almost 85,000 of them were SUVs and crossovers. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as we’re in the hottest SUV market ever. This year, the 2020 Infiniti QX60 — its mid-size seven-passenger crossover — should have no problem repeating as the luxury brand’s most popular model.  

Although the luxury SUV market continues to expand, and the Infiniti’s list of competitors is rapidly growing, the luxurious and comfortable QX60 is unchanged for 2020. The family-friendly three-row SUV still offers all-wheel drive, a powerful V6 engine, impressive safety features, and high crash-test ratings. Its main competition includes a long list of popular models including the Lexus RX, Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and BMW X5, as well as the newly launched Lincoln Aviator and Cadillac XT6.

Just Two Trim Levels to Choose From

Just as Lexus is owned by Toyota and Audi is owned by Volkswagen, Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury brand. As a result, the 2020 Infiniti QX60 shares much of its mechanical pieces, including its suspension, engine, and transmission, with the Nissan Pathfinder. Both SUVs are even built at the same assembly plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.

This year, the QX60 is offered in just two trim levels: Pure and Luxe. Each has standard front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is offered across the range for $2,000. Although turbochargers have become popular in this class, all QX60s are powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 cranking out 295 horsepower, which is strong for the class and matches the output of the 3.5-liter V6 used in the Lexus RX 350. Every QX60 also gets a continuously variable transmission, or CVT.

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A Bit Larger Than a Lexus RX 350L

If the 2020 Infiniti QX60 has a main rival, it’s the 2020 Lexus RX350L: the longer three-row, seven-passenger version of the popular RX 350. The two SUVs offer similar equipment, horsepower, and space, so we thought we’d quickly compare their sizing and pricing.

At 200.6 inches long, 77 inches wide and 69 inches tall, the Infiniti QX60 is nearly 4 inches longer the Lexus. It’s also about 2.5 inches wider and 1.7 inches lower. The biggest dimensional difference between the two is wheelbase. The Infiniti’s is 114.2 inches long, considerably longer than the RX’s, which is 109.8 inches. This gives the Infiniti a bit more legroom in its second row. Both SUVs offer 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row.

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A Bit Less Expensive Than a Lexus RX350L

Including a $1,025 destination charge, prices start at $45,375 for the 2020 Infiniti QX60 Pure with front-wheel drive and range up to $49,175 for a top of the line QX60 Luxe with all-wheel drive like our test vehicle. That’s a bit less than the price of the Lexus.

Add options, however, and the Infiniti’s price climbs quickly. Our loaded test car was equipped with five pricey option packages, including a $2,150 rear entertainment system with two 8-inch screens and a $3,500 Sensory Package that adds such luxuries as heated second-row seats, 20-inch wheels, and second- and third-row sunroofs. Considering its level of equipment, our test car's total MSRP of $61,930 still makes the QX60 quite a value in a class packed with even more expensive vehicles.

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Quick Enough for Most Buyers

Even with its 295 hp V6, we thought the 2020 Infiniti QX60 might feel sluggish. After all, this is a big vehicle weighing over 4,560 lbs. But we had nothing to worry about. The engine is lively and revs to 6,600 rpm, and the QX60 has plenty of thrust off the line. With a 0-60 mph time of just 7.1 seconds, the Infiniti is about a full second quicker than the Lexus RX 350L. This is surprising since the two have about the same horsepower and 3.5-liter V6 engines.

Around town, the Infiniti’s CVT automatic transmission is extremely smooth, if a little lazy. But it won’t be an issue for most buyers. Sport mode quickens throttle response and recalibrates the transmission for more aggressive gear selection. However, those looking for more performance do have other options, including the BMW X5, which hits 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. The Mercedes GLE 350 and GLE 450 are also considerably quicker than the Infiniti, as are the 400-hp Lincoln Aviator and the 310-hp Cadillac XT6.

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Comfortable Ride and Surprisingly Fuel-Efficient

In the city, this big SUV feels smaller than it is. It’s easily maneuvered and easy to park thanks to its short front overhang and tight turning circle. The Infiniti QX60 also rides comfortably, even with our test vehicle's massive 20-inch wheels. Its handling isn’t as sporty as its German competitors, but the Infiniti is responsive and its suspension does keep body roll to a minimum.

The QX60 is also surprisingly fuel-efficient, considering its high horsepower and weight. The EPA rates it at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and 1 mpg less with the optional all-wheel drive. That’s 1 mpg better than the Lexus RX 350L. We averaged 21 mpg in a week of mixed driving around Los Angeles in our all-wheel drive test vehicle. Plus, the QX60 runs on less expensive regular-grade gasoline to keep operating costs down. If you’re looking for radically better fuel economy in this class, though, check out the Lexus RX 450hL hybrid, which is one of the few electrified models in the segment. The EPA rates its fuel economy at 29 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

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Comfortable, High-Quality Interior

Overall, the Infiniti’s interior is well-laid-out, constructed with a pleasing attention to detail, and spacious. All the controls are where they should be, and there are high-quality materials like soft leather, wood, and an abundance of upscale bright trim. The Infiniti’s analog gauges are attractive and easy to read, and there’s a customizable screen that displays your fuel economy and other important information.

Visibility is excellent and its front seats are large, heated, cooled, and comfortable. The driver’s seat in our test vehicle was also adjustable 10 ways, and a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel is standard. Our test car also featured a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and a 15-speaker Bose audio system with exceptional sound quality. Our only complaint is the foot-operated parking brake, which feels old-fashioned. A push-button parking brake has become common in this class.

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Solid In-Cabin Technology and Abundant Cargo Space

Infiniti’s audio and climate controls are easy to use and have large knobs and buttons. The infotainment system is quick to respond to your inputs, and its navigation system is easy to program. The SUV’s interior also features eight USB ports: two that integrate with the infotainment system and six more that provide only charging. Unfortunately, the QX60's 8-inch touchscreen is now one of the smallest in the class and onboard Wi-Fi is not available.

Cargo space is generous. The 2020 QX60 offers 16 cubic feet of space behind the third row, which is split 50/50 and folds flat very easily. With it folded, the space opens up to 40.5 cubic feet. With the split 60/40 second row also folded flat, there’s 76.2 cubic feet of space. These numbers are strong for the class, and all models have a power-operated liftgate.

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Family-Friendly Passenger Space

Seven-passenger seating is standard and third-row access is easy once you push a section of the second-row bench forward. Second-row captain’s chairs are not available, although the Infiniti’s second-row bench reclines and slides forward to increase third-row legroom. The third row is tight, however, and best used for kids.

Interior storage is well thought out. There’s a large console bin, big door pockets that have slots for water bottles, and two big well-placed cupholders next to the QX60’s shifter. There’s also a sizeable bin ahead of the shifter, which is perfect for your phone and house keys.

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High-Tech Safety Systems

The 2020 Infiniti QX60 has been awarded a five-star overall safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has chosen it as a Top Safety Pick. Our test vehicle was also equipped with a long list of active safety systems and driver aids as standard equipment, including blind-spot monitoring, a predictive forward collision warning, and forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection. 

Our test vehicle was also equipped with the $3,400 Proactive Package, which includes adaptive cruise control, a lane-departure warning with automatic steering corrections, blind-spot intervention, and rear automatic emergency braking. We’re huge fans of Nissan’s Around View Monitor, which is a backup camera on steroids, offering a 360-degree bird’s eye-view of the SUV. It’s part of the $2,900 Essential Package, which also added leather seating, front and rear parking sensors, and other features.

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Final Thoughts

Overall, the 2020 Infiniti QX60 is stylish, comfortable, powerful, and refined. It also gets very respectable gas mileage, especially on the highway, and it offers a family-friendly interior with plenty of space. 

It isn’t as quick or as fun-to-drive as its many German competitors and some of its in-cabin infotainment technology is getting dated. However, the Infiniti makes up for those shortcomings with a high level of luxury and a long list of bells and whistles for its price. Its safety scores are also excellent, and its ride quality is among the best in its class. If you’re looking for a mid-size luxury SUV with three-row seating, the 2020 Infiniti QX60 is a solid overall choice.

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