Infiniti’s new QX65 model drops the third row for the sale of added style and flair.
Remember the old Infiniti FX series? Nissan’s luxury marque turned the SUV segment on its ear in the early 2000s by launching a groundbreaking model that moved beyond the simple, boxier SUVs of previous decades (including the QX4 it directly replaced, for that matter) and introducing a style-forward and tech-forward crossover to the masses. Since then, other luxury automakers introduced sleeker, fastback-style SUVs of their own, while the FX and eventual QX70 ultimately rolled into the automotive history books. Now, as Infiniti plots a brand revival with a new slate of sharp-looking SUVs, the 2027 QX65 nods to one of the more successful models in its history, as it aims to woo buyers who want some style to go with the general practicality of its QX60 sibling.
For those keen observers out there, you probably noticed this QX65 is sporting a new shade of red. When it launches in the coming months, the GT-R-inspired Sunfire Red will be a new hue unique to the QX65 (at least for now).
The 2027 Infiniti QX65 takes over from the Monograph Concept shown last summer, with basically the same styling. Just like the current-generation QX80, the production model is virtually identical, and that’s a good thing. From the front, the QX65 projects the same sort of elegant style as its stablemates, though its split headlight design and sportier grille design does split it apart from the QX60 a bit.
As you likely expected, the new QX65 shares its underpinnings and most of its dimensions with the QX60. This coupe-style model rides on the same 114.2-inch wheelbase, for example, and shares the same 66.9-inch height and and 86-inch width. However, despite losing the third row, the QX65’s swooping roofline draws out the SUV’s overall length to 198.5 inches, or about half an inch longer than the QX60. This sportier-looking model also sits an inch lower to the ground than its sibling, with just 5.87 inches of ground clearance at its lowest point (down from the QX60’s 6.8 inches).
Looking inside the 2027 Infiniti QX65
Broadly speaking, the new Infiniti QX65 brings similar interior ambience and features as the QX60. The top-end Autograph model brings diamond-pattern leather on the seats and instrument panel, most of the interior accoutrements are the same — including the digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment display with Google Built-in apps and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration — and you can get a Klipsch audio system on higher trims. The base Luxe model gets an 11-speaker (non-branded) setup, while the Sport gets a 16-speaker Klipsch premium audio system, and the Autograph we’re looking at here gets a 20-speaker, 1200-watt Klipsch Premiere Reference setup with speakers in the headrests. To further tune the audio settings, Infiniti also has a Personalized Sound app downloadable through the in-vehicle Google Play store to adjust everything based on how the driver responds to the app’s testing prompts.
The QX65 packs four USB-C ports with two in the front and two in the rear, as well as a standard, redesigned Qi2 wireless charging pad that allows airflow under the phone to keep it from overheating for faster, more consistent charging.
The 2027 Infiniti QX65 comes standard with power heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, 20-inch wheels and adaptive cruise control with a more basic version of the automaker’s ProPilot Assist system. As you step up the trims and available packages, you can add in features like a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, motion-activated liftgate and a towing package with a hitch receiver and Trailer Sway Control functionality (more on that in a moment). ProPilot Assist 2.1, enabling hands-off driving on select pre-mapped highways, is available as part of the Technology Package on the top-end Autograph.
Is it still practical?
Even with the roofline, you actually don’t lose out on headroom in the 2027 Infiniti QX65 as much as you might expect. You get 40.6 inches of headroom on the first row and 36.9 inches on the second, which is roughly half an inch off the QX60. In terms of the figures, the QX65’s front row is a little bit more generous on legroom too (with 44.2 inches, versus the QX60’s 41 inches). Legroom is at a premium on the second row (the QX65 has 35.7, instead of 37.5), but the rear seats do recline on a 60/40 split, and the cargo space behind that row is still plentiful enough to be useful.
Behind the second row, Infiniti demonstrates the general practicality with four decent-sized suitcases. Against the QX60’s maximum 75.4 cubic feet, you only lose about 7.5 cu. ft. of usable space. The QX65 has a cargo volume of 67.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 35.8 cu. ft. with the bench in place (vs. the QX60’s 41.6 cu. ft. with the third-row folded — about 9% less volume).
The QX65’s powertrain is exactly what you’d expect…but things could soon get interesting.
Under the hood, the 2027 Infiniti QX65 gets the exact same powertrain as its QX60 counterpart. A 2.0-liter VC-Turbo (variable compression turbocharged) engine puts out 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque through a 9-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the QX60, however, the entire QX65 range comes with standard all-wheel drive. Maximum towing capacity further stands at up to 6,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Here’s the potential twist: There could be a performance model coming. Word has it the automaker is considering a Red Sport version, as something to really pitch its SUV lineup against the likes of BMW’s M SUVs, Mercedes’ AMG variants or Audi’s S models. Probably not at the bonkers upper end, but a V6 variant of the QX65 may roll out with 300+ horsepower. To be clear, that is not absolutely confirmed just yet, but Infiniti is testing the waters with concepts like the QX80 Track Spec, which may get an even more insane powertrain (maybe as much as 600+ horsepower). For now, though, Infiniti is rolling out the tried-and-true model with the same powertrain as its midsize stablemate.
EPA fuel economy figures for the QX65 are still in the works. That said, I don’t expect them to stray much from the QX60’s 22 City / 27 Highway / 24 Combined mpg.
How much does the QX65 cost, and when will it be available?
When it rolls out early this summer, the 2027 Infiniti QX65 will start off with the Luxe trim, packing an MSRP of $55,435 (including the automaker’s $1,545 destination fee). Surprisingly, while that is a bit higher than the QX60’s absolute baseline price, since the QX65 doesn’t have a base ‘Pure’ trim, it is $5,140 less than the equivalently-spec’d QX60 Luxe AWD. So, if you don’t need the third row, the QX65 Luxe paints a pretty good value proposition, at least on paper.
The mid-range Sport comes in at $57,235, bringing in sportier looking accents and wheels as well as fully climate-controlled (heated/ventilated) front seats, the 16-speaker Klipsch audio system and a 3D Around View Monitor. The Premium Package further adds to the content, with the digital rearview mirror, a head-up display, motion-activated liftgate and the towing hitch.
At $64,135, the 2027 Infiniti QX65 Autograph tops out the range. The top-end trim brings all the other models’ features, while adding larger 21-inch wheels, a satin chrome window surround, open pore wood and aluminum interior trim, semi-aniline leather seats, massage functionality up front, heated rear seats and the swankier Klipsch Premiere Reference system.
On the Autograph, a Tow Package adds in the hitch independently of the trim’s base equipment, while the Technology Package adds in a driver monitoring system, a front-center supplemental airbag, more capability to the surround-view camera and the ProPilot Assist 2.1 system. You also get the features of the Tow Package thrown in as well, so you can spec the towing hitch independently of the Tech Package, or get everything bundled in.
Nathan and I had a chance to check out the 2027 Infiniti QX65 in person, which you can watch below. We’ll have a full driving review coming up later this spring, so stay tuned for that as well.
