The QX60 has been Infiniti’s best-selling SUV for quite some time now. For 2017 Infiniti announced a host of changes, but most of them are hidden within. Since there was a major exterior and interior upgrade in the 2016 Infiniti QX60, there was really no need for a full facelift this year. The main upgrades to the 2017 Infiniti QX60 are a more powerful engine and an upgraded infotainment system.
The 2017 Infiniti QX60 is based on the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, sharing most of its underpinnings with the Nissan counterpart. It’s no surprise that most of the upgrades to the 2017 Pathfinder were carried over to the QX60 as well. Both are front wheel drive-biased unibody crossovers capable of seating seven passengers, where the main difference is the design and the badge. Joined by the QX30, QX50, QX70 and QX80, the QX60 fits right in the middle as Infiniti’s most compact three-row SUV which also happens to be a great daily driver.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
With no major changes to the exterior design, the 2017 Infiniti QX60 carries over the same exterior as the 2016 QX60, which underwent a significant redesign. You can definitely tell Infiniti’s done a lot to bring the design more in line with the rest of their lineup, while still keeping some of the characteristic features carried over from the popular JX35 in 2012. The 2017 QX60’s front end gets a more modern mesh grille, slightly different swept-back headlights and a lower fascia design, tying in with Infiniti’s corporate design language extremely well.
Chrome highlights help the QX60 stand out from the crowd and pairs well with any of the seven exterior color choices: Liquid Platinum, Black Obsidian, Hermosa Blue, Majestic White, Graphite Shadow and the newest Hagane Blue and Jade Green. The base QX60 gets 18-inch alloys, while the 20-inch wheels come at a premium.
The QX60’s rear end matches well with the front end and carries over the same design language as evidenced by the tail light styling. The QX60 is one of those cars which grow on you over time. Very few modern crossover SUVs can match the 2017 Infiniti QX60’s understated yet sporty design and while you probably wouldn’t look at it twice in traffic, when you stop and take it all in you can really see its beauty!
INTERIOR COMFORT AND TECHNOLOGY
Unlike the exterior, the interior of the 2017 Infiniti QX60 receives numerous changes. The revised InTouch infotainment system boasting Infiniti’s InTouch Services upgrades the QX60’s dash. It’s available on the Premium Plus package, and adds a Vehicle Health Report and Voice recognition for audio, along with Bluetooth and vehicle information. Rear passengers can now enjoy the optional Theater Package providing dual 8-inch screens (increased from the 7-inch displays last year), as well as a 12-volt power plug, USB port and even an HDMI port. Also included is a Wi-Fi hotspot, providing the first 2GB of data with a three-month free trial.
There’s a ton of space in all three rows, but ideally only children should sit in the 3rd row as it is the smallest. It’s not a full-size seven-seater after all, but it is a perfect and versatile family crossover. The materials are superb, and with the badge being Infiniti, the fit and finish is up there with the likes of Lexus and Mercedes.
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
For 2017, the Infiniti QX60’s well-known 3.5L V6 engine receives direct fuel injection, a completely new air intake system, electronic variable timing (called e-VTC) and a mirror bore coating. All of these changes add up to give an increased 30 horsepower and 22 lb-ft of torque, raising the total figures up to 295hp and 270lb-ft of torque. Not bad at all, especially considering these upgrades were mostly put in place to increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
The relatively large V6 is transversely mounted in the engine bay and connected to Nissan’s very own Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The passive Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system sends power to the front wheels naturally and diverts power to the rear wheels only when more grip is required, conserving fuel and making everything more efficient.
The Drive Mode Selector is a direct carryover from last year, along with the same Standard, Sport, Eco and Snow modes. They can be changed via the rotary dial located on the center console, and all of them affect the QX60’s throttle response and transmission. In Sport they obviously sharpen to give the driver a more precise instrument, whereas in Snow they get somewhat numb so that you don’t accidentally apply too much throttle and spin out.
As expected, the 2017 Infiniti QX60 drives smoothly and quietly with no lack of power! Sticky traction, powerful acceleration and responsive handling through corners provide a sporty feel to the drive, while coasting is effortless and relaxed.
FINAL THOUGHTS
For a top of the line seven passenger crossover SUV, look no further than the 2017 Infiniti QX60. Packing luxury, comfort, versatility and sportiness into a well designed, high quality package, the 2017 QX60 is a pleasure to drive and a pleasure to be driven in! Starting at $47,400, the QX60 is a family SUV worth considering.
