Infiniti QX65 Prices Match The BMW X4, But One Important Feature Is Still Missing And It Should Have Included It From The Start

Nissan and its luxury arm, Infiniti, are one of the most enigmatic brands. As someone who has a soft spot for the Japanese brand, It has been getting increasingly difficult to like the brand of late. While Nissan still makes some decent vehicles, I feel like Infiniti’s return to its roots is going to be another half-effort by the brand. I say thai because Infiniti recently unveiled the QX65 - a new fastback SUV that is rumored to get a 3.5-liter V-6 with over 300 horsepower.

However, the car we saw at the official reveal was a bit different than what I hoped for. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine will reportedly arrive later during the model’s production. The QX65 seen at the official debut showcased the company’s familiar VC Turbo unit. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine develops 268 horsepower and 286 pound-feet, but for the QX65, it will reportedly get bespoke mapping. 

The two-row fastback SUV may share a platform with the three-row QX60, but it will also feature bespoke chassis and suspension tuning for a more engaging feel. The best news is - no more CVT. The QX65 is getting the nine-speed automatic. All-wheel-drive is standard.

We know the pricing, and it is ambitious

• There will be three distinct trims for the Infiniti QX65. The base, Luxe trim starts at $53,990, and in true tradition, it offers generous standard equipment. 

• The Sport trim is the mid-range model, which starts at $55,690. You mostly get cosmetic touches like gloss emblems, sportier grille, 20-inch sport wheels, black chrome trim, Klipsch 16-speaker premium sound system, climate-controlled front seats, 3D around view, and an optional Premium package, which includes smart rearview mirror, heads-up display, motion-activated power-liftgate, retractable tow-hitch, and Trailer Sway Control (TSC).

• The Autoraph trim is the most expensive model of the QX65, starting at $62,590. It gets 21-inch wheels, satin-chrome exterior trim finish, open-pore wood-grain interior, quilted and perforated semi-aniline leather seats, massaging front seats, heated front and rear seats, aluminum scuff cargo plates, and auto-dimming outside mirrors. 

The range-topping trim also includes the Premium package as standard. The Towing package is optional. It includes a tow-hitch and Trailed Sway Control. 

I fear Infiniti will, once again, be outperformed in the premium, performance SUV segment.

The Infiniti QX65 is marketed as a luxury-performance SUV, which automatically puts it against the likes of the BMW X3 and X4 models. The two Bavarian offerings start at $51,300 and $55,300, respectively, with destination charge. Both come with a B48, 2.0-liter turbo-four making 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet.

Both the X3 and X4 offer the sharpest handling in the segment, combined with potent engines, especially once you upgrade to the inline-six models. Those start from $64,700 (X3 50i xDrive) and $66,700 (X4 M40i). The inline-six in these makes up to 393 horsepower and 427 pound-feet.

This doesn’t bode well for the Infiniti QX65

The Infiniti QX65’s strengths lie in the well-executed interior and generous standard equipment. However, the range-topping variant starts at over $62,000, even before adding a V-6 engine. BMW’s midsize SUVs make a strong case against the new Japanese premium model. Should Infiniti add the V-6 at a later point, the aforementioned prices will, no doubt, go up. The problem is that a 3.5-liter normally aspirated V-6 will not be able to give BMW models a run for their money at the current price point. 

I like how the Infiniti QX65 looks, but a great design alone is not enough to make a model competitive, especially in the crowded SUV segment. I think a RedSport variant equipped with the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 is the right way t ogo. What are your thoughts on the QX65? Did Infiniti slip up by not offering a V-6 from the start? Do you think the price is right? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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• The New Nissan Skyline Is Coming, And It Confirms What We Already Know About Infiniti's Return To Driver-focused Luxury Vehicles

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Image source: Image source: Infiniti QX65 Monograph

About the author

Dimitar Angelov has been an automotive journalist since 2014. His passion for cars and motorcycles led him to take up classic car restoration at the Classic Car Museum in Malta. While living there, he also graduated with a Master's in Media and Communications. Aside from Torquenews, his work can also be seen on Topspeed.com, HotCars.com, Motorheads.com, Jalopnik.com, and his own website, Ridereverie.com, where he also includes motorcycle content.

Other relevant experiences in the automotive scene include working at a Toyota dealership, professional driving, and automotive insurance. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Experience

• 2012-2017 and 2025-Present: Insurance Advisor - ANG Univers and Generali Insurance Group
• 2016-2016: Car salesman at Toyota dealership
• 2014-Present: Automotive journalist, blogger, vlogger, test driver

Education

• Bachelor's degree in International Economic Relations
• Master's degree in Marketing
• Master's degree in Media and Communications

Dimitar Angelov has been quoted in the following publications:

• SM Breadvan – The Fastest Road Car in the 1970s
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