2019 INFINITI QX60 Review

The 2019 Infiniti QX60 has a few standout qualities that are ideal for hauling people over long distances. A large and roomy cabin, a quiet and smooth ride, and leather-appointed stadium-style seating mean your family will be as comfortable as possible. The fold-down second- and third-row seats also give you the flexibility you need for mixing passengers and cargo.

Most luxury SUVs give you a choice of engines, but in the QX60 there's only one available: a 3.5-liter V6 (295 horsepower, 270 pound-feet of torque) that's connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While we usually dislike CVT automatics in luxury vehicles due to their elastic-like power delivery when accelerating quickly, the one in the QX60 works pretty well. Altogether, this powertrain is quiet and smooth, lending itself well to its luxury people-mover mission.

The QX60 does have a few downsides. The main one is that it doesn't handle as well or impart as much emotional satisfaction as some rival SUVs such as the Acura MDX, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90. But if you're OK with that, the Infiniti QX60 should work out well.

The 2019 Infiniti QX60 is available in two trims and with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Pure is the base model, and it comes with enough luxury equipment to make buyers stepping up to the QX60 happy. Buyers looking for more features will opt for the Luxe trim. Not only does it feature more equipment, but it is needed to add a variety of driver assist, luxury and entertainment options to tailor the QX60 to suit your sensibilities and budget.

The front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 (295 horsepower, 270 pound-feet of torque) paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). We're fans of the CVT automatic, which makes the most of the V6's power.

Standard features on the Pure include 18-inch wheels, automatic xenon headlights, LED foglights, heated side mirrors, a sunroof, a power liftgate, keyless entry and ignition, simulated leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable and heated front seats, a 60/40-split folding second row, a 50/50-split folding third row, an 8-inch central touchscreen display, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio, a CD player and a USB port. Three more USB ports are located in the back half of the cabin. Blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking are also standard this year.

Luxe models add roof rails, rear bumper protector, driver memory settings, a heated steering wheel, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, and remote engine start.

When considering a QX60, the bulk of the decision-making comes down to option packages. All of them are only available on the Luxe trim. They include Essential, Theater, ProAssist, Sensory, ProActive, Limited, and a 20-inch wheel and tire package.

The Essential package includes navigation, satellite radio, leather seating, illuminated kick panels, a 360-degree parking camera, automatic wipers and rear parking sensors. You must have this package in order to get any of the other packages.

For watching in-car videos, the Theater package adds a rear-seat entertainment system with two 8-inch displays and a 110-volt household power outlet.

Additional advanced driver aids can be added with the ProAssist package. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, blind-spot intervention, front and rear parking sensors, backup collision mitigation, automatic high-beam assist, auto-dimming side mirrors and Eco Pedal, which allows the pedal to push back against the driver if it detects unnecessary fuel use.

To increase luxury amenities, the Sensory package includes 20-inch wheels, roof rack crossbars, hands-free liftgate operation, an additional moonroof over the second- and third-row seats, unique quilted seats for the front- and second-row seats, ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats, maple interior accents, a 15-speaker Bose surround-sound system, and an air purification and scent system for the climate control system.

ProActive adds the driver assist functions from the ProAssist package to the Sensory package.

A Limited package includes dark chrome trim on the grille, dark paint on the roof rails and crossbars, a unique rear fascia with gloss black paint, Limited-specific 20-inch wheels, stone-colored leather seating surfaces with a quilted stitching pattern, contrast stitching throughout, dark silver wood accents, and a black headliner.

Twenty-inch wheels and tires and an in-car Wi-Fi package are available in conjunction with the Essential package.