After a year’s hiatus, the Infiniti QX60 is back for the 2022 model year, and it returns to relevancy with a full redesign, making it a far more appealing player in the midsize luxury SUV market. A significant upgrade over the previous generation, the latest QX60 offers a posh cabin, a stylish exterior, more modern technology, and an affordable entry price. The powertrain is also new, with a traditional automatic transmission replacing a polarizing CVT.

However, the QX60 still isn’t as competent or upscale as the BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE, but it does cost notably less with a generous list of amenities on offer. Also, with this redesign, the QX60 no longer feels or looks like a bargain-barrel luxury offering.

Perhaps the reasoning for not offering a 2021 QX60 model was so that it could spend plenty of time hitting the gym. The QX60 now sports a handsome and chiseled appearance, a vast departure from the globular, almost bloated styling of the previous generation.

The front fascia wears new vertical vents and more angular headlights, while Infiniti’s signature grille has grown larger with an intricate design. Subtle curves on the hood, doors, and rear suggest a forward, but not overly aggressive motion. The rear sports attractive lighting across the liftgate and a D-pillar underneath the rear glass offers a seamless appearance.

Now it’s no easy feat to make an attractive midsized SUV, and the previous QX60 was a prime example of that. But the new model’s workouts have paid off — it’s a looker.

The enhancements extend into the cabin as well. Gone are the outdated-looking controls and mundane dash display of the 2020 model, replaced with more modern, attractive alternatives. The dash now swoops outward to meet the driver and sports a 12.3-inch touchscreen.

The vast array of physical buttons on the previous model is gone, replaced with a suite of backlit, capacitive controls just beyond a reworked center stack featuring a sleek shift-by-wire gear lever.

The cabin comes with soft and upmarket materials with the top-of-the-range Autograph edition adding quilted stitching on the seats and dash with open-pore wood trim. Some cheap-feeling switches and materials remain, but they are mostly kept to a minimum or on low-touch areas.

All models come with either leather-appointed or semi-aniline leather seats in the first two rows with synthetic cowhide for the rear seats. A leather steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, third-row air vents, and six USB ports are also standard.

The QX60 holds sway over the X5, GLE, and Genesis GV80 by offering a standard third row. But like its midsized luxury SUV counterparts — the Audi Q7 the Lincoln Aviator, the Cadillac XT6, and Volvo XC90 — that also offers a standard rear row, it’s best suited for smaller kids.

Captain’s chairs are available for the second row, but only in the most expensive model. Infiniti eases the process of jumping into the third row with smartly sliding and folding middle seats.

Cargo space is unsurprisingly tight behind the rear row, but for those who only need to haul four or five passengers, the QX60 offers a generous 42-cubic feet of storage space behind the middle seats. Folding seats in either the middle or rear is a manual but easy process with pull straps. Top-of-the-range Autograph models receive a power-return third row.

Let’s talk about technology. Infiniti’s infotainment system functions through a new, sizable 12.3-inch touchscreen. The display is neither the most attractive nor quickest to react, and in many instances, there seems to be a disconnect from controls to the screen.

The physical controls below the display are now capacitive units, giving a sleeker appearance but coming with some haggles. For instance, you can’t just “tune” through channels on the standard SiriusXM Radio. If it’s not a pre-set channel, you must press seek with a capacitive control and then scroll through the menu using a rotary dial or by hand.

Either way, the input doesn’t typically match up with what’s displayed on the screen, taking the driver’s eyes off the road and causing intense frustration when you just want to listen to a channel that doesn’t have its own pre-set.

Infiniti is not alone in having some difficult-to-use controls — Lexus’ and Mercedes’ touchpads are far from ideal, as well — but those units don’t have the same disconnected feel as that of the QX60.

Unlike some of the competition, the QX60 does not offer an upgraded engine. The new-gen QX60 retains its former powerplant, a 295-horsepower V-6, but it now pairs with a conventional nine-speed automatic that replaces the previous model’s CVT. The powerplant will not stir the soul of an enthusiast, but it delivers respectable hustle.

The conventional transmission erases the annoyances of the prior model’s CVT, providing predictable and smooth gear changes, while the V-6 has commendable grunt and power, including 270 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. All models can tow 3,500 pounds, but those who need to move up to 6,000 pounds can opt for Sensory trim with all-wheel drive and the Tow Package ($900).

Midsized SUVs aren’t known for their efficiency, but the QX60 returns admirable MPG figures. The EPA-rated front-wheel drive models at 23 combined mpg and all-wheel drive versions return 22 miles per gallon. That’s on par with the Mercedes GLE, Lexus RX 350, and BMW X5, but bests the Audi Q7 and Genesis GV80.

Out on the road, the QX60 is not the supplest of cruisers compared to its rivals. Hard lumps and bumps in the road transfer some of their impacts to passengers, and the ride quality can be stiff over some pavement.

Overall, the Infiniti delivers relaxed road manners, but it’s not quite as smooth as some of its competition. It does still lead the pack for seat comfort — the Zero Gravity seats are both supportive and extremely supple.

Behind the wheel, the QX60 feels big with somewhat numb steering, and body roll and push are somewhat present when taking corners with aplomb. Those desiring better performance should consider alternatives like offerings from AMG or BMW’s M division, but for hauling people and their stuff, the QX60 fits the bill rather well.

Though pricing for the 2022 QX60 has increased from the 2020 model, it still holds sway over much of its rivals with a starting price of $47,875. A well-equipped Sensory model starts at just over $57,000, which puts it near the entry price for the GLE, GV80, or Q7 and well about $3,000 less than an X5.

Important to note is the QX60 comes with more desirable features under the $60,000 mark, whereas its German and Korean rivals require option packages for a similar treatment.

For three-row models with a standard third row more closely aligned in price, the Cadillac XT6’s pricing structure resembles the Infiniti’s lower three trims. The Lincoln Aviator starts above $53,000.

The cost savings though, do come with a few sacrifices, including some cheaper-feeling materials in the cabin and rearview camera quality that is too low-resolution for a luxury car.

Despite its low starting prices, the QX60 is well-equipped throughout the range. Base models come with a long list of standard and desirable features. Most buyers will find a sweet spot in either of the two lower trims, but the Sensory and the top-of-the-range Autograph models include a bevy of additional creature comforts.

The QX60 no longer feels and appears like a bargain luxury SUV into a far more compelling player in the segment. The previous generation QX60 was full of compromises with a lackluster powertrain, styling that had become outdated, and a lack of modern features and technology suited for a luxury SUV.

However, the latest generation erases much of those sacrifices, necessary for the sake of a low starting price. The Infiniti QX60 doesn’t stand out from the competition, but simultaneously, it does most things well enough to overlook its shortcomings.

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