First Drive: 2022 Infiniti QX60

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Well, if it’s good enough for Kate Hudson, it must be good enough for us. A few months back, the actress helped unveil the 2022 Infiniti QX60 with a 10-minute YouTube video . And though I may have ranted about the marketing of family vehicles without the use of actual crying children in cars, I’m pleased to confirm that — in my humble opinion — this luxury three-row SUV is far from Fool’s Gold and is very clearly worthy of celebrity appraisal.

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Infiniti has been consistently pointing out that the QX60 is “muscular.” I don’t know if that’s quite the term I’d use, but it’s beautiful, nonetheless. But don’t take my word for it, just look at the video (I’m Almost Famous ) and images from our drive — it’s quite stunning. Even Driving’s David Booth said, “it looks absolutely fetching from every angle and under any light.”

It’s no wonder the QX60 has been one of the highest-selling models for Infiniti since its 2012 debut, but this 2022 redesign takes it to all-new levels of luxury.

The QX60 comes in four trims — Pure, Luxe, Sensory, and the top trim, Autograph. All trims come with a 3.5L V6 engine, providing 295 hp. There’s an all-new nine-speed automatic transmission, and each trim comes with standard all-wheel-drive. Steve Rhind, Managing Director at Infiniti Canada, confirmed most Infinitis will be electrified by 2030, but until then, it’s important to note the improved fuel economy in this all-new QX60 — it now has a combined rating of 10.8 L/100 km, 11.9 city, and 9.5 highway.

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It’s easy to simply say the drive is smooth and move on, but it’s more than that. No matter where you’re sitting — and I did have the chance to be chauffeured in the QX60 while sitting in the second row — it’s a smooth drive.

Do you ever see a pothole or bump in the road and instantly brace for some sort of impact? Maybe not, maybe that’s the anxiety in me, but regardless, while driving the luxury SUV down a winding road, I came across a few bumps and prepared myself to feel a bit jostled. It never happened. Even while sitting in the second row, which I’m no stranger to, it was easily the comfiest second row I’ve sat in, and the quietest.

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Speaking of quiet, Nissan says it’s delivering a quieter cabin. Through acceleration, there is 12 per cent less cabin noise than in the previous generation. Nissan also claims it’s quieter around town, as well as on the highway — now, I haven’t driven the previous generation, but I can definitely confirm it’s a peaceful and quiet drive.

I’m sure some of the peacefulness comes from the NASA-inspired zero-gravity front seats, a first for the QX60, which even come with massaging capabilities (though I can’t say I really enjoyed that; I found it more annoying than relaxing). And though the weather was suspiciously warm for mid-December, the heated seats (and available ventilated seats in the top two trims) and heated steering wheel added a nice touch to the serene drive.

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The second row’s captain chairs are only available in the Autograph trim, which also includes a removable centre console; I can’t help but think this is one of the smartest ideas. Not everyone wants a console, and some people want space to walk through; not me, I prefer the added holder-of-junk (snacks and toys). Whether you’ve got the captain’s chairs or the bench seat that comes standard in the other trims, Infiniti has made it super-simple to get into the third row. With one little button on the outward sides of each of the 60/40 split seats (as well as behind those seats to ensure the third-row passengers can be let out without needing the assistance of others in — or out of —the car) anyone, even a kid, is given easy access to the third row. The second row’s seat quickly shifts forward and also leans towards the front.

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Originally, I questioned the safety of this feature, but thankfully, Infiniti #UnderstoodTheAssignment. Not only can the seat still be moved forward with a car seat strapped in place, but the company’s taken extra precautions to ensure the seat doesn’t spring forward if it’s got more than 30 pounds on it, at which point, you would have to move it manually. And, for good measure, there’s a little infographic on the seat to warn you against moving the chair with a kid in it.

It features up to four LATCH systems — three in the second row and one on driver’s side of the third row (there are three LATCH systems in the Autograph trim, due to the two captain’s chairs) as well as 14 beverage holders, because, why not?

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The third row is pretty typical of a three-row SUV: it’s not made for large adults, but younger children or Smurfs will definitely fit comfortably and can keep their devices charged using one of the charging ports in the third row. And also typical of a three-row SUV is the minimal trunk space; the QX60 holds 411 litres behind the third row (2,135L with all the seats folded down) and that’s fairly standard, but it also has an extra 54 litres of underfloor storage. If you need some more trunk space, the third row’s seats easily fold down, and if you’ve got one of the top two trims, there’s a button to quickly return the seats upward, no strength needed.

The redesign also features a theatre-styled layout, meaning the front seats are a bit lower than second, and the second row is a bit lower than the third. This gives third-row passengers the ability to clearly see out the front window. Now, I haven’t tested this next theory, but I’m wondering if the theatre layout might help some people who are prone to car sickness , since any passenger can now look out the front of the vehicle and into the horizon, which should cause the brain and body to register motion, and hopefully relieve some of that icky feeling.

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The 2022 QX60 will be the first Infiniti to feature a 12.3-inch interactive display. New to the QX60 is that it can be used with wireless Apple CarPlay and USB-based Android Auto. Personally, I haven’t been able to get used to the smart rear-view mirror; I just don’t really like it and can’t help but feel like I’m missing the entire view of my back seats and the car that’s tailing me.

It’s also got a new 10.8-inch head-up display, and second- and third-row roof-mounted vents. If you happen to go on a long drive, you’ll appreciate the Bose audio system that comes standard in the Sensory and Autograph trims. Drivers will also enjoy the updates and expanded functionality to ProPILOT Assist with Navi-Link. If you’ll be doing any towing, the lower two trims have a 3,500-pound capacity, while the top two trims are equipped to handle a 6,000-pound towing capacity.

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The Pure starts at $54,995, while the top trim, the high-tech Autograph, starts at $67,995. Just like other manufacturers, Rhind says Infiniti is not exempt from the microchip supply shortages; however, that hasn’t slowed the rollout. Vehicles have begun to arrive in Canada, with many of the reservations, including high volumes of the two top trims, being fulfilled.

Infiniti wants us to conquer life in style. That’s a lot of pressure for a mom of three. I didn’t have my messy kids with me to prove that they all comfortably fit, crying or not, but I can tell you that regardless of what’s happening on the inside, this three-row SUV looks awesome on the outside. Now, I can’t help but think to myself… how to lose my minivan in 10 days. Get it? See what I did there? Because Kate Hudson was the star of the Infiniti reveal and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days …