| Quick Highlights | Class-Leading Towing Capacity Striking Design Premium Interior Underwhelming Power |
After nearly five years without introducing an all-new nameplate, Infiniti has finally pulled the wraps off the QX65, and it was well worth the wait. In terms of size, the Infiniti QX65 slots below the QX80 and QX60. Although it shares the same platform and wheelbase as the three-row QX60, the QX65 sacrifices the third row in favor of a sloping, coupe-like roofline, giving it a more athletic stance. The interior may be largely indistinguishable from the QX60’s, but the exterior styling and silhouette completely set it apart.
The QX65 is the first of five new products coming from Infiniti, and it has certainly whetted our appetite for what’s next from the Japanese luxury automaker. Here’s everything you need to know about the all-new 2027 Infiniti QX65.
2027 Infiniti QX65 Key Specifications
| Performance | |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Engine | 2.0L VC-Turbo I4 |
| Transmission | 9-Speed Automatic |
| Horsepower / Torque | 268 hp / 286 lb-ft of torque |
| Towing Capacity | 6,000 lbs |
| Efficiency | |
| Estimated MPG (City/Hwy/Combined) | 20/26/22 |
| Interior | |
| Seating | 5 |
| Touchscreen | 12.3-inch touchscreen display (Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Compatibility) |
| Instrument Cluster | 12.3-inch |
| Legroom (Front/Rear) in. | 44.2 / 35.7 |
| Cargo Capacity | 35.8 cu ft |
| Trims & MSRP | |
| Luxe AWD | $53,990 |
| Sport AWD | $55,690 |
| Autograph AWD | $63,285 |
Design: FX-Inspired Body Language
Infiniti decided to plaster the QX65 with design cues borrowed from the iconic FX. We think the FX was a fitting predecessor to pay homage to, as it was years ahead of its time in terms of design when it debuted. Apart from the obvious FX-inspired fastback roofline, we couldn’t help but notice the domed hood and muscular fender flares on the QX65.
At the front sits an oversized yet well-proportioned grille with an illuminated Infiniti emblem. It is flanked by large air intakes and Infiniti’s signature Digital Piano Key headlights. Unlike the QX60 and QX80, the QX65’s roofline tapers sharply toward the rear, giving it the unmistakable silhouette of a coupe-style SUV. The roofline flows into a sporty rear spoiler, but what is likely to steal the show are the full-width Digital Piano Key taillights.
From nose to tail, the QX65 measures 198.5 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 69.7 inches tall, giving it exterior proportions that are nearly identical to those of the three-row QX60. The interior is also nearly identical to the QX60’s, which means it is just as inviting and finished with high-quality materials. Overall, the mid-size luxury crossover looks genuinely sporty, so much so that it raises expectations of serious performance from the engine.
Performance: Needs A Little More Punch
Unfortunately, while the iconic FX was available with a 3.5-liter V6, the QX65 didn’t borrow that particular cue. Instead, every trim comes exclusively with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque. For an SUV with such sporty styling, most people would naturally expect more. There are reports that a 3.5-liter V6 variant is on the way, and we hope they’re true.
Beyond the numbers, the QX65 has an interesting driving character, thanks in part to its six selectable drive modes. The well-weighted steering gives the SUV composed handling and inspires confidence, even through corners. We’d probably avoid Sport mode, however, as the engine revs become noticeably louder than the performance gains justify. Standard mode simply sounds better.
On the plus side, the QX65 comes equipped with a seven-pin trailer connector and a heavy-duty tow hitch, giving it an impressive 6,000-pound towing capacity that many rivals would struggle to match. Overall, although the QX65 drives well, its sporty exterior creates performance expectations that the current powertrain doesn’t quite fulfill.
Interior: To the Rescue
The engine makes us think the QX65 needs a saving grace, and the cabin more than delivers. Material quality throughout the interior is absolutely satisfying, especially in the top trim, which features quilted semi-aniline leather. Even more impressive is the level of convenience on offer. The steering wheel and front seats are heated, while the front passenger gets two-way power lumbar support and the driver gets four-way power lumbar support. Better still, the seat cushions are long enough to provide excellent thigh support.
What good is convenience in a cramped cabin? Thankfully, the QX65 has the space to complement the premium materials on board. It offers 44.2 inches of front legroom and 35.7 inches of rear legroom. The second-row seats also recline, allowing passengers to stretch out a little more on longer journeys.
Cargo space is equally impressive, offering 35.8 cubic feet behind the second row. Fold the 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and cargo capacity expands to 67.7 cubic feet. A standard panoramic moonroof with a power sunshade stretches over both rows, bringing even more light into the cabin. The QX65’s interior may look almost identical to the QX60’s, but the level of comfort, convenience, and luxury it offers is one that many of its rivals would struggle to match.
Tech: Plenty to Like
The QX65 features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that displays vital driving information and can be reconfigured to suit the driver’s preferences. Some of that information can also be projected onto the windshield through the available 10.8-inch Head-Up Display. At the center of the dashboard sits Infiniti’s 12.3-inch InTouch touchscreen display. It supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while Google built-in gives users access to apps such as Google Maps directly from the infotainment system. In addition to the touchscreen, physical controls on the dashboard make it easy to access frequently used features, and the voice recognition system works effectively.
Many safety and driver-assistance features come standard, including Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, and more. Buyers looking for more advanced technology, however, will need to move up the range for ProPILOT Assist 2.1, which allows hands-free driving on compatible highways while the driver remains attentive, as well as the 3D Around View Monitor with Spin Capability.
Pricing and Competition
The 2027 QX65 is offered in three trims, starting with the Luxe AWD ($53,990 MSRP), which we think use a few more features. At the other end of the range sits the Autograph AWD, which adds quilted semi-aniline leather, a 20-speaker Klipsch audio system with individual audio headrest speakers for the driver and front passenger, heated rear seats, and 21-inch wheels. But if we’re paying over $63,000 for a sporty luxury crossover, we’d expect more than a 268-horsepower four-cylinder engine. That makes the mid-range Sport AWD, starting at $55,690, our pick. If reports of a V6 version arriving next year prove true, we’d gladly wait for it.
Infiniti considers the Lexus RX 350, Lincoln Nautilus, and Cadillac XT5 to be the QX65’s closest rivals. Against them, the QX65 arguably excels in interior space and towing capacity. But we think rivals such as the Mazda CX-70 and Genesis GV80 Coupe deserve a place in the conversation as well. The Mazda CX-70 starts at almost $10,000 less than the QX65, while its top trim, priced at just over $56,000, comes with a 340-horsepower 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain. However, we think the QX65 has the edge in interior refinement and material quality.
The Genesis GV80 Coupe starts at well over $80,000. As expected, it comfortably outperforms the QX65, thanks to its standard 375-horsepower 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 and an even more potent 409-horsepower version on higher trims. We’ll leave the debate over which one looks better to you, but it’s worth pointing out that despite the significant price difference, the GV80 Coupe doesn’t clearly outclass the QX65 when it comes to interior quality.
Gabriel Olakunori
Gabriel likes to (blindly) argue that SUVs are part of nature, and he might just have a point when you're walking in the snow, crossing bone-dry deserts, gliding down splendid park-like boulevards, or navigating rocky roads. He has over seven years of experience writing across a broad spectrum of topics, many within the automotive industry. If he is not at the desk w̶r̶i̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun, he is at the wheel d̶r̶i̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun. Either way, the road leads to the same destination: bliss. Gabriel loves SUVs for their all-inclusiveness, but he cannot turn down an offer to drive or write about any vehicle.
