I once went to a charity event at place called Vizcaya in Miami. Vizcaya is one of those opulent mansions built at the turn of the last century by a guy who had way too much money and didn’t have anything else really to do with it, except spend it. Vizcaya is so big I suspect that “back in the day” someone could have surreptitiously moved into one side of the place and lived there all their life without the owner ever being the wiser. ‘No, I’m just the gardener sir.”
Vizcaya remained so luxurious through the years that the President of the United States at the time, Ronnie Reagan, met the Pope there, which is sort of odd since I’ve always thought that religion shouldn’t be full of signs of excess. I’m not sure any of the original apostles worried about who was taking care of their Mediterranean-style mansion when they were off following Jesus around the countryside.
So there I was, part of a charity event many years ago, feeling way out of place. Not sure how I ended up there, but I wanted to see how the other side lived and took advantage of the offer. A room full of Barbies in designer gowns strutted around and I remembered thinking how proud they must all be of their breasts since each pair seemed to be displayed with little in the way of any sort of expensive fabric covering them. The men, meanwhile, looked like a group who had escaped from a retirement home to play bingo. I remember hoping none of them would suddenly suffer cardiac arrest and wondering how many would not be waking up in the morning.
Of course, I stood out, despite wearing my finest suit from the famous designer JC Penny (if you say it Jacque C Pen-Nay it sounds better, by the way). I could have picked up a tray full of those dainty little glasses of champagne or hors d’oeuvres, strolled around handing them out, and probably been happier. Might even have made a couple of bucks in tips.
I was very uncomfortable and glad to leave that night—especially since I didn’t have to perform CPR on any of those old guys. But it was sort of nice to be part of the upper crust, if only for a short time.
Those thoughts came rushing back to me when I spent a week with Infiniti’s newest QX60. Weird, but true. That’s because, while I’ve always thought the Infiniti brand is luxurious, my week with this SUV showed me how they’ve taken it up a notch—or two, maybe three.
I’ve had plenty of time in Infiniti products through the years and always found them to be fine. Maybe a bit boring, but in a good way. That’s what I expected when I got my latest Infiniti for a week. That’s not, however, what I got.
You see, the QX60 for 2022 was redesigned. There were more luxury and convenience features, a design that was a bit more upscale, a little more upright, less boxy. In 2015 the QX60 trims were designated 3.5, 3.5 AWD, Hybrid, and Hybrid AWD. Now the trims consist of the base Pure, followed by the Luxe, Sensory, and Autograph. You can still opt for front- or all-wheel drive.
The base is equipped with such things as 18-inch wheels, a panoramic moonroof, a power liftgate, heated steering wheel and front seats, rear parking sensors, a 12.3-inch center touchscreen and high-beam assist. Moving up to the Luxe adds 20-inch wheels, front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, rear side window manual sunshades, front ventilated seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and a navigation system.
From here up, the ProPilot Assist is included, which adds adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure mitigation, traffic sign recognition, and blind-spot intervention.
The Sensory adds upgraded exterior and interior trim including an upgraded leather-wrapped steering wheel and ambient lighting; there are also massaging front seats, an air purifier, a 17-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless smartphone charging; heated second-row seats, power third-row seatbacks, and a hands-free power-opening rear hatch.
The top-of-the-line Autograph tops everything off with a black roof and roof rails, adaptive headlights, a 10.8-inch head-up display, upgraded leather upholstery, second-row captain’s chairs, digital rearview mirror, a removable center console, and if you opt for AWD, a tow package.
No longer is this a Nissan Pathfinder with a bit of lipstick. Sure, it shares the same Pathfinder powertrain—a 295-hp 3.5-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic—and the interior layout is similar, but in the QX60 the dash is covered in leather, the seats in quilted upholstery, all accented with satin chrome trim.
The seating is higher, and my Autograph for the week had second-row captain’s chairs. Inside, it’s a really nice place to be. The stitched leather seating is very comfortable, and since my week included working at the Daytona 500—a 45-minute drive each way—I had plenty of time to appreciate the QX60’s calm, confident demeanor.
Maybe it was the comforting leather smell accented by the seat massagers or the Bose sound system, but it was a luxurious experience that made me feel, if only for a little while, that I was part of the upper crust once again wandering around Vizcaya.
The boring is gone from the QX60 and it’s ready to compete alongside the Lincoln Aviator, Mercedes-Benz GLE-class, and BMW X5. And while I might now be an old man, I certainly didn’t feel like I’d just escaped from a retirement home to play bingo. No, the QX60 let me enjoy a drive in a very nice SUV and made me wish I had it for just a bit longer.
It can be best summed up in one word: BINGO. (Yup, I did that.)
2023 UPDATE
Just over a year after my first week with the QX60, Infiniti sent me a 2023 Autograph in March of that year. Since the newest generation debuted in 2022, there were only a few minor changes: a wireless smartphone charging pad became standard, and a frameless rearview mirror was added. The QX60’s bumpers gained gloss-black accents on Luxe models and dark-gray on Sensory and Autograph trims. Another year, another very nice week indeed.
2024 UPDATE
For 2024, Infiniti wisely didn’t change a thing. The QX60 carried over without any significant updates, but it didn’t need them. Everything still looked and felt as sharp and well-finished as it did the day it debuted—proof that Infiniti got this one right from the start.
2025 UPDATE
The big story for 2025 was under the hood. Infiniti swapped out the long-serving 3.5-liter V6 for a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 268 horsepower. That might sound like a downgrade on paper, but the power delivery was smoother and more refined, and the nine-speed automatic stayed in place, keeping things civilized. The QX60 lost some of its old-school grunt but gained composure.
A new Black Edition package appeared for the Luxe trim, with black 20-inch wheels, roof rails, and emblems—an elegant look that made it feel more Manhattan penthouse than Miami boardroom.
2026 UPDATE
The 2026 QX60 Sport
Which brings us to my most recent week with the 2026 QX60 Sport, the new trim that replaces last year’s Sensory. You’d expect some heavy reworking after a few years, but Infiniti kept its cool. The 2026 model gets a light styling refresh to better align it with the larger QX80—a new grille with an illuminated Infiniti logo, revised bumper design, and a stance that looks lower and wider. It’s subtle, but it works.
The Sport trim gets unique exterior touches, gloss-black 20-inch wheels, and special “S” badging. Inside, it’s business as usual—and that’s a compliment. The cabin remains one of the nicest in its class, with impeccable materials and quiet confidence. The QX60 doesn’t chase gimmicks; it stays true to what it does best: delivering refined comfort in a package that still feels fresh years later.
After three generations of updates, it’s clear Infiniti planned ahead. The QX60 remains relevant, stylish, and just as at home pulling into a black-tie gala as it is the school pickup line. The Sport may not change the formula—but it proves Infiniti didn’t need to.
The 2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph
MSRP: $63,250
MSRP (as tested): $64,965
Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 295 hp @ 6,400 rpm, 270 lb-ft torque @ 4,800 rpm
Transmission: 9-speed shiftable automatic
Fuel Mileage (EPA): 21 city, 26 highway, 23 combined
Fuel Mileage (as tested, mixed conditions): 27 mpg
Curb weight 4,393 lbs.
Interior Dimensions
Front head room 40.8 in.
Front hip room 58.8 in.
Front leg room 42.1 in.
Front shoulder room 60.6 in.
Rear head room 37.5 in.
Rear hip Room 56.7 in.
Rear leg room 37.7 in.
Rear shoulder room 59.7 in.
Cargo capacity, all seats in place 14.5 cu.ft.
EPA interior volume 155.1 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo capacity 75.4 cu.ft.
Maximum towing capacity 3,500 lbs.
Exterior Dimensions
Height 69.7 in.
Length 198.2 in.
Overall Width with Mirrors 86.0 in.
Turning circle 38.1 ft.
Wheelbase 114.2 in.
Warranty
Basic 4 yr./ 60,000 mi.
Drivetrain 6 yr./ 70,000 mi.
Roadside 4 yr./ 60,000 mi.
Rust 7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Greg was a writer for DriveTribe supporting Amazon's The Grand Tour and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek and a regular contributor to Forbes.
- Caraganza Review 2026 GMC Yukon Ultimate: The Boss Level of Full-Size SUVs - November 16, 2025
- John Force Finally Lifts Off the Loud Pedal - November 13, 2025
- Verstappen Turns Pit Lane Purgatory Into Podium Glory As Norris Extends Lead In Brazil - November 9, 2025