CHATHAM, Mass. – Sometimes you get lucky, like finding a luxurious 2024 INFINITI QX60 Autograph three-row mid-size sport utility (SUV) in your driveway prior to a 400-mile road trip.
The QX60 is roomy, comfortable and efficient, a perfect conveyance to eat up the highway miles at 70 miles per hour or crawl along the Massachusetts Turnpike in construction-induced bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go traffic. The interior amenities, conveniences and technology made any trip, regardless of length, a very pleasant experience.
Power to the SUV thanks to a V6
Nissan’s luxury brand introduced the QX60 as a 2013 model based on the architecture of the Nissan Pathfinder with either front-wheel (FWD) or all-wheel drive and a 3.5-liter V6 engine. The launch of the second generation in 2022 maintained a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline-fueled engine at its heart.
The direct-injected powerplant produces 295 horsepower and 270 pounds-feet of torque and in this second-generation QX60 puts it through an automatic nine-speed transmission (replacing the continuously variable – CVT – of the original generation) before flowing into the AWD system for secure operation regardless of road-surface conditions.
The powertrain can motivate the QX60 AWD from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds (according to Car and Driver magazine), quite respectable for a 4,655-pound three-row SUV. The performance comes on as soon as the accelerator is depressed providing the get-up-and-go you want and need when maneuvering around traffic either on a high-speed interstate or on tight Cape Cod Streets.
And while the performance is excellent for a six-passenger vehicle, so is the fuel efficiency. I got 24 miles per gallon in the combination of high-speed highway cruising, stop-and-go traffic, as well as low-speed Cape congestion. This bettered the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s rating of 22 mpg overall (20 urban, 25 highway).
Solid platform underpins luxury
Attention to detail by the INFINITI engineers resulted in a smooth, quiet, comfortable ride along with reassuring control and handling from the QX60’s chassis. Up front MacPherson-type struts with coil springs, dual-tube shock absorbers and 29mm stabilizer bar takes care of business. The rear setup is a multilink independent one with 28.6mm stabilizer bar also utilizing twin-tube, multi-flow shocks.
The 198.2-inch SUV sports a 38.1-foot turning circle.
The braking system features brake assist, anti-lock (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution. The ventilated rotors are 13.78×1.18-inches in the front, 12.99×0.63 in the rear. Dual-piston calipers operate at the front, while a single-piston, floating caliper works in the rear.
The brakes operate within 20×8-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels with charcoal metallic finish shod with 255/50R20 all-season tires.
As I said, the pieces combine for an excellent ride as well sure-footed handling.
ADAS list is extensive
Befitting a luxury vehicle like the QX60 Autograph, top of the SUV range, the list of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is comprehensive.
It begins with automatic emergency braking (AEB) as the basis for the forward emergency braking system with pedestrian detection as well as for the rear automatic braking. The list also includes predictive forward-collision warning; rear cross-traffic alert; rear-view monitor and rear sonar system; blind-spot warning; Blind Spot Intervention™; lane-departure warning and haptic steering wheel; lane-departure prevention; Around View Monitor® with moving-object detection (MOD); front sonar; hill-start assist with auto hold capability; traffic-sign recognition; intelligent cruise control; rain-sensing wipers, and driver-attention alert.
Everything works well together, easily controlled through the 12.3-inch INFINITI InTouch™ interactive display (controlled by either finger touches or console-mounted rotary knob with supplemental buttons) and digital cluster one.
Technology, amenities and conveniences fill the large cabin
Individual seats covered in semi-aniline leather seats with quilting, perforation as well as contrasting stitching and piping, adorn the first two rows which are also heated (the fronts power adjustable with two-person memory, ventilated and equipped with lumbar support and massage).
Also heated is the leather-wrapped steering wheel which has power adjustment for tilt and telescoping.
The overall cabin’s environment is handled by the tri-zone automatic climate-control system with microfilter, auto recirculation, Plasmacluster™ air purifier and Grape Polyphenol Filter. The system is controlled by logically arranged, clearly identified buttons on the center of the dash. These buttons appear like they are part of an LCD touch panels but activate with a satisfying depression – there is no mistake when you select a climate-control action.
The infotainment system with standard navigation has the 12.3-inch INFINITI InTouch™ interactive display with supplemental console controls (and rotary volume/audio-power switch) as its primary controller. The system includes SiriusXM satellite radio; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Bluetooth streaming. Pumping out the audio is a 17-speaker Bose® performance series sound system.
Other technological features include wireless mobile-device charging pad, six USB ports, 120-Volt outlet, voice recognition, and auto-dimming rear-view mirror with camera. And 10 cupholders are at hand for the six occupant positions.
A 10.8-inch color heads up display puts important information like vehicle speed, speed limit and navigation instructions clearly in the line of sight so the driver does not have to take his/her eyes off the road.
Very luxurious package
The 2024 INFINITI QX60 Autograph is a thoroughly complete luxurious SUV, able to go toe to toe with other big names in the segment. It is comfortable, roomy (for people and their stuff) and efficient to operate.
The QX60 range opens with the $49,650 FWD Pure variant with seven steps from there to the Autograph AWD like I drove at $66,100. This is a very competitive price and worth a look if a three-row, luxury SUV is the vehicle for you.
