RIDE-CT – Classic Cars Celebrating Classic Cars in Connecticut
EAST HADDAM, CT – The luxury crossover utility market is awfully crowded these days, but Nissan’s Infiniti division keeps on fighting the fight against substantial competition.
Redesigned back in 2022, the elegant 2024 QX60 continues to aim for the heavens with what is now an upscale, three-row Autograph edition that seats up to seven.
Infiniti clearly concentrated on creature comfort in outfitting the QX60, believing that “luxury should be lived in.” Consequently, the quilted/perforated semi-aniline leather seating surfaces – seductive saddle brown, in my case – combine compelling craftsmanship with spacious comfort.
A mixture of classic design and modern technology was of critical concern, which is evident when you get behind the wheel. It’s a rich and refined place to be from its traditional, analog-styled electronic gauges ahead to a 12.3-inch interactive touchscreen in the center.
A 17-speaker Bose audio system adds to the perceived tranquility, as does a black obsidian panoramic moonroof. The previously mentioned quilted seats are also massaging and the wood-trimmed interior has sound deadening. The console between the captain’s chairs is removable in the rear and there are various storage cubbies throughout the cockpit.
Proportionally, the QX60 is a bit bigger than you might imagine. Its styling, however, could be a bit crisper. In an attempt to convey a bold, muscular image, it comes off as being somewhat bulbous, although its tapered roofline is quite tasteful – reminiscent of a Range Rover and, now, Lincoln.
Like a lot of recent competitors, the Infiniti’s cocoon-like beltline is high which not only reduces outward visibility but makes visiting the ATM or local drive-thru a bit challenging. Meanwhile, it’s got a surprisingly tight turning circle.
The rubber meets the road via 20-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels with 255/50 tires. Intelligent all-wheel drive is available but being built on a lesser Nissan Pathfinder platform means that its road prowess is not quite up to Mercedes GLE or BMW X5 standards. You can tell by its dynamic response and some harshness that sneaks through on occasion.
When compared to its European brethren, the QX60 likewise falls a little short under the hood as well. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 295 horsepower through a 9-speed automatic transmission. The engine can be slightly growly on acceleration and its fuel consumption-saving auto stop/start is often somewhat raucous. Other than that, it gets the job done.
The able Infiniti tows up to 6,000-pounds, delivers 20 miles per gallon city and 25 highway and requires premium fuel.
In keeping with the times, it’s no surprise that the upscale Infiniti is laden with standard safety features, including predictive forward collision warning and emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive/auto Leveling front lighting, lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot warning/intervention, rear cross traffic alert/braking, steering assist and more.
The QX60 also has all the latest infotainment goodies..
QX60 pricing starts at $49,650 for what Infiniti calls its Pure entry level edition. Escalating up the eight-model trim hierarchy will eventually take you to the Autograph AWD, like I drove, for $66,100.
A Premium Care suite provides up to three years of free scheduled maintenance and tire rotation while the basic vehicle warranty coverage runs for four years/60,000 miles. The powertrain is covered for 6 years/70,000 miles, which is a little better than most but not quite up to Hyundai/Kia standards.
As of today, the QX60 is the only Infiniti assembled in America. There’s no doubt that the exclusive and amicable Infiniti QX60 is a pretty nice utility vehicle. The problem is the market is full of pretty nice, exclusive and amicable utility vehicles.
(Photos are courtesy of Infiniti unless otherwise noted.)
