Infiniti QX60 2016: The 'comfortably' versatile SUV

The Infiniti QX60 2016 boasts a stately design, spacious and comfortable interior, and smooth handling, meeting the demands of those seeking a luxury family vehicle.

As Infiniti's second-best-selling luxury model globally, it's safe to say that this is the most balanced vehicle in the Japanese SUV family, meeting the needs of the vast majority of consumers. Infiniti cleverly incorporates unique advantages into its product.

In Vietnam, despite being in the same price range as the Lexus RX350, the QX60 boasts significantly larger dimensions and a superior 7-seater configuration, unlike the 5+2 seating arrangement of the similarly sized Audi Q7. Therefore, it's no surprise that the QX60 is Infiniti's best-selling model in Vietnam. The 2016 version promises to help Infiniti continue this success.

Muscular in design

The first impression upon seeing the 2016 Infiniti QX60 is one of imposing and robust presence. The QX60's "muscular" appearance isn't as aggressive as American models, but rather subtly Japanese, with soft yet strong curves. The design, which leans towards the side, also contributes to a more solid and spacious overall look. Compared to the 2015 version, the QX60 features updated headlights, fog lights, and a premium mesh grille. The rear design is more seamless, but from the side, it appears somewhat heavy with its slightly long and sloping tail.

Stepping inside the cockpit, Infiniti continues its "muscular" design style with a four-spoke steering wheel, a premium leather-wrapped dashboard, and a rather bulky center console and gear shift lever trimmed with natural wood.

If you're a fashion-conscious person who likes unconventional styles, then perhaps a German car would be a more suitable choice, but in return, the QX60 offers a luxurious feel to its interior, from the function buttons and sleek sports gear shifter to the smallest materials used in the cabin, alongside the pleasant ambiance of a luxury vehicle.

Amenities for the "boss," comfort for the family.

To be fair, judging from the design, Infiniti isn't a luxury car that prioritizes the driver's seat entirely; every aspect of the car is equally well-cared for. For example, the driver's position isn't particularly outstanding in the design, but it's still comfortable with features like heating, cooling, power adjustment, and memory settings. Furthermore, all three rows of seats are well-ventilated with sunroofs and independent climate control systems incorporating air purification and deodorization technology.

The second row of seats is equally impressive, offering ample space for three adults, and featuring a flexible 139.7 mm forward or backward sliding capability. Particularly noteworthy are the two DVD screens on the backrests of the front seats, complete with a remote control and premium Bluetooth headphones for impressive sound quality.

This feature demonstrates Infiniti's attention to detail for the rear seats, allowing passengers to watch videos and listen to music privately without disturbing the driver or others. Of course, if you want to "join the fun," the 15-speaker Bose sound system is more than capable of satisfying even the most discerning ears.

Additionally, the independent air conditioning vents also feature a 12V charging port, a 120V power outlet, two headphone jacks, and various other convenient connections. These connections cater to entertainment and work needs, but unfortunately, the armrest design is "not up to par," meaning this can't truly be considered a car designed for the "boss."

For passengers 1.70m tall, the third row isn't too uncomfortable, but it means having to slide the second row forward, reducing the comfort of that position.

Overall, the third row of seats is still more suited for children than adults because it's not really comfortable for long journeys. Of course, for short trips in the city, seven adults wouldn't be a problem for the Infiniti QX60. Right behind it, the cargo area is quite spacious and can hold a lot of items even with all three rows of seats in use, and it features a power tailgate.

The ride is smooth and enjoyable, but not quite "thrilling".

With a luxury SUV known for its sporty DNA like Infiniti, you'll be disappointed if you place too much faith in a "thrilling" driving experience on the 2016 QX60. Upon starting, the engine compartment vibrates only slightly, very smoothly, showcasing the class of a luxury SUV, but the driving experience is equally smooth and unremarkable. A light touch on the accelerator results in a leisurely, smooth acceleration characteristic of a vehicle using a CVT transmission. Perhaps Infiniti aims to offer a larger sedan rather than an SUV experience for QX60 owners.

In reality, the QX60 is not weak at all, boasting 263 horsepower and 334 Nm of torque from its 3.5-liter V6 engine, but it's still quite modest compared to some competitors with similar engine capacities. The car's leisurely and relaxed driving in Eco mode is truly enjoyable for city driving, especially for a vehicle aimed at wealthy families and business people in the back seat who need a refined, quiet, and safe experience.

The car's sound insulation is also more impressive than its predecessor, although it still provides a more realistic driving feel, with the tires conquering the road surface. At high speeds, the characteristic stability of Infiniti is immediately noticeable; the steering wheel feels much more solid, resulting in more precise steering, especially in unexpected situations. The suspension is somewhat stiff, making it less smooth when going over speed bumps at medium speeds. However, at high speeds and on rough roads, the car handles quite smoothly, without much discomfort for passengers.

The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, Traction Control System (TCS), and all-wheel drive greatly assist the vehicle when cornering at high speeds, giving the driver a sense of security as they clearly feel all four wheels gripping the road while the body continues to move smoothly in the direction of steering without any feeling of instability or loss of balance. Even with the addition of Sport mode, the feeling of being pushed back into the seat or jerking when flooring the accelerator is still a luxury experience with the QX60. While still powerful, perhaps for a crossover model that prioritizes smooth operation over high speed, one shouldn't expect too much from Sport mode; it's merely like adding a glass of wine to a lively party.

Returning to downtown Saigon during rush hour after a tiring day behind the wheel of the QX60, I fully understood the challenges of a large crossover. However, Infiniti's integrated 360-degree camera system and rearview camera helped drivers navigate through congested and somewhat chaotic traffic, especially with the support of the Moving Object Alert (MOD) technology, which minimizes the risk of close-range collisions.

Overall, the QX60 is a worthwhile option if your needs aren't focused on sportiness but rather on a spacious, luxurious vehicle for the whole family, or simply for relaxing and working in the back seat with adequate features for the price.

Evaluate

Advantage:The car boasts a robust and neutral exterior design, large size with full 7-seat capacity, a spacious second row with numerous entertainment and work-related amenities, independent air conditioning with air filter, a quiet interior, a smooth and safe driving experience, and a fuel-efficient CVT transmission.

Disadvantages:The interior isn't particularly outstanding, the engine power isn't commensurate with the cylinder capacity, and the acceleration isn't impressive.

Infiniti QX60 Deluxe Touring 2016 Specifications in Vietnam:

Selling price: 3.699 billion VND
Length x Width x Height: (5,093 x 1,960 x 1,742) mm
Wheelbase: 2,900 mm
Engine: 3.5-liter V6
Power output: 263 horsepower at 6,400 rpm
Torque: 334 Nm at 4,400 rpm
Transmission: CVT

According to TNO