Introduction

Three-row luxury crossovers are hot commodities, and the 2020 Infiniti QX60 is the Japanese luxury brand's interpretation of this popular segment. Along with seating for seven, the 2020 QX60 offers attractive styling, a luxurious interior, and pleasing road manners. 

Not much has changed for 2020. The Limited Package, which was new last year and cost nearly $20,000 more than a base model, has been discontinued. 

All QX60s are powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 295 horsepower. That power is routed via a CVT to the front wheels, though all-wheel drive is available for $2,000. The 5,000-pound towing capacity is impressive for a luxury crossover. 

With the Limited gone, just two trim levels are available: Pure and Luxe. Of those, only the Luxe offers any options or packages. Though pricing for both trims begins in the mid-$40,000 range, the Luxe can get expensive once loaded up with options. 

The QX60 has performed well in crash tests, with both the NHTSA and IIHS issuing it their highest ratings. The IIHS goes a step further, bestowing the QX60 with its coveted Top Safety Pick award. 

Standard-issue active-safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, and forward-collision warnings. Multiple packages are available with advanced active safety features such as adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and automatic high-beam headlights. 

Lineup

All prices include a $1,025 destination charge. 

The cheaper of the two QX60 trims is the Pure ($45,345 with FWD, $47,345 with AWD). Standard features include remote entry, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, a moonroof, and tri-zone climate control. No options are available. 

The Luxe ($47,145 with FWD, $49,145 with AWD) ratchets things up a notch with a heated steering wheel, 13-speaker Bose audio, and memory functions for the driver's seat, steering wheel, and outside mirrors. A number of option packages are available, including the $2,900 Essential Package that includes navigation, leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, and a surround-view camera system. 

Walkaround

The 2020 QX60 wears styling dating back to 2013, but it has aged well enough that the neighbors won't be any the wiser. The overall design is a curvaceous one, lending the big crossover an attractive look that is interesting without ever being overbearing. The tasteful look is still vogue despite getting on in years. 

The front end looks and feels fresher than the profile view, thanks in part to Infiniti having updated the fascias somewhat recently. The look is in line with the rest of the Infiniti lineup, and again walks that fine line of being distinctive and attractive. The rear end is much the same. 

Interior

The cabin gives away the age of the QX60, with a dashboard and center stack that is largely unchanged from 2013. It doesn't follow the general trends of the market, but it remains functional, ergonomic, and familiar. 

Despite the aging design, the interior remains as comfortable as ever. Infiniti knows how to stitch together a supportive seat that encourages all-day driving, and the QX60 showcases that know-how. The available leather surfaces are particularly nice. 

Stretch-out room is ample in the first two rows, but the third row passengers may need more space. There's just 30 inches of leg room back there even when the sliding second row is in its forwardmost position. The seats are also not as comfortable as those in the first or second row. For buyers looking for a third row capable of seating adults on a regular basis, the larger QX80 is a better bet. 

Connectivity is handled by an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain unavailable, which means drivers and passengers must work within the confines of Infiniti's slow and non-intuitive infotainment software. Bluetooth is standard and navigation is optional. 

Each row gets two USB ports to keep passengers charged up. A rear-seat entertainment system is available for $2,150. 

The QX60 cabin employs high-quality, soft-touch materials throughout. The engine is rarely louder than a distant thrum and wind noise has been sufficiently banished. The look, feel, and experience is decidedly luxurious, even if the design is older. 

Driving Impression

Serenity is the keynote of the QX60. It moves down the road with the silence and grace of SUVs and crossovers costing thousands more. It's a relaxing, amicable place to log miles behind the wheel. 

Despite its Sport powertrain mode, this is not a crossover to be hustled. The QX60 is all about cruising, and is most at home on a flat and open stretch of highway. If you need power, the 3.5-liter V-6 has enough of it to make passing maneuvers and highway merges easy and effortless. 

The CVT does a good job of managing this power. Infiniti went to great lengths to ensure this CVT doesn't drone under prolonged throttle; the company's Active Noise Cancellation, developed with Bose, banishes the sound of the CVT as well as any other noise that might otherwise infiltrate the cabin. It's a big reason as to why this crossover is so silent. 

The EPA rates front-wheel-drive QX60s at 20 mpg city, 27 highway, 22 combined. AWD models drop that rating to 19/26/22 mpg. These ratings are about typical for a luxury three-row crossover with V-6 power. 

Summary

Flying under the radar, the three-row 2020 Infiniti QX60 is an overlooked choice that delivers on all the main criteria for this segment. We like the Luxe because it offers various options that can't be had on the Pure. 

 

-by Anthony Sophinos, with driving impressions from The Car Connection.