2027 Infiniti QX65 First Drive: Can a 3-Row SUV Morph Into a Sexy, Sporty SUV? We Found Out
This all new model from the luxury carmaker builds on what we love in the QX60, then takes it all up a notch
It starts with the 2027 Infiniti QX65’s glorious gold-flecked red paint, which I will confess, I liked much more in the bright Tennessee sunlight than I did under the high cloudiness of California’s marine layer (otherwise known as fog).
The elegant and slightly fancy paint sets the tone for the leather Vermillion interior (also known as red) and a seemingly endless list of thoughtful touches: A magnetic phone charger that works fast; speakers in the headrests; quilted leather that carries a sway of motion; a personalized sound system that actually measures what you hear and sets sound levels accordingly; a head up display that shows your Apple CarPlay map settings, a hands-free drive system that will take the wheel on some highways.
But the real question for the 2027 Infiniti QX65, which is built on the same platform with mostly the same dimensions as the 3-row QX60 and has a starting price of about $54,000, is whether this full-size SUV can deliver a fun-size experience?
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. I was Infiniti’s guest for this event, but all impressions and opinions are my own.
Tweaking the 2027 Infiniti QX65’s Design and Engine Leads to a Whole New Experience
The vision behind the 2027 Infiniti QX65 is to take a chassis and powertrain that the brand already has, and make it a bit more special: upgrade its standard features, add some cutting-edge details that will make it feel truly refined, and then pare down its size just a tad so it looks and feels more toned.
Much of this can be achieved through illusion; removing the 3rd row and sloping the roof toward the rear bumper is the most obvious change, and the most fundamental; the lower roofline gives the QX65 a sporty, chic look and makes the rear window smaller, making the cabin feel more intimate. This approach is something that other luxury SUV makers have adopted—the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, the BMW X6 and the Genesis GV80 Coupe are the others you’d look at if you were shopping for SUVs in this category, though it’s notable that only the GLC Coupe is truly competitive, with a similar entry model price and power output.
Then, they tweaked the engine, using the same powertrain as the Infiniti QX60: A 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that generates 268 HP and 286 pound-feet of torque. The difference is that Infiniti “remapped” the transmission and even tweaked the accelerator pedal for faster acceleration response, a true sport feel even in comfort mode and a throatier engine sound, especially in sport mode.
But the Real Test Is On The Road: How Does the Infiniti QX65 Drive?
Behind the wheel of the 2027 Infiniti QX65, there are no huge surprises, for better or worse. It handles nicely, has fast acceleration as advertised, and the engine sound, which is fed into the cabin through the sound system’s speakers, is ever-present; if you like that, it’s great, but if you don’t, you’ll want to turn up the music, which will lower the engine sound.
In comfort mode, one of 6 modes that includes a custom, snow, towing and eco, the QX65 delivered a confident feel on both local streets and on the highway. When I put it in sport mode, though, I felt the change instantly; the transmission downshifted and the engine sprung to life. I drove it in sport mode on the backroads through Middle Tennessee and found it fun and responsive, delivering a satisfying downshift and the low-pitched sound of rev-matching when braking.
A Cabin Built More For Comfort Than Sporty Driving
The more spirited acceleration, transmission and engine sound are enticing; you’ll want to put it into sport mode right away. But keep in mind that this is a sport-tuned SUV, not a sports car, and it handles more like an SUV. Driving solo, sport mode can be fun, especially on less curvy roads, but if you have passengers, you may be better off keeping the QX65 in comfort mode. While the front seats are bolstered to hold you a bit more snugly, they’re not overly so; I could feel the car lean into the curves on the road, both in the driver’s seat and in the passenger’s seat.
Behind the wheel, I felt the suspension and handling of the QX65 to be less sporty than I hoped it would; I would have appreciated tighter, more precision-focused handling than it delivered. However, with its length, 198”, height and size, it would be surprising if it felt like a sports car. Still, it managed the road with comfort and confidence.
Despite the QX65’s size, the cabin feels smaller and more intimate thanks to the sloped roof. Looking in the rear view mirror and seeing just the rear seats, a dark ceiling headliner and a narrow rear window lends a cozier feeling, even if it is an optical illusion.
And the lovely details that surround you will remind you: this is a luxury car and it’s designed to spoil you.
Premium Details—and This Phone Charger!—Set the Infiniti QX65 Apart
Infiniti added much of its new design language to the 2027 QX65 inside and out; it starts with the front grille, which takes a page from the redesign of the QX80, the brand’s flagship full-size SUV. The piano key daytime running lights add a sleek appeal, and the idea is replicated on the rear tail lights. The overall feel is one of motion, even when the car is at rest. It just looks fast.
Inside, quilted seating—leather in the Autograph model and leatherette in the Luxe and Sport models—with heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a Google Built-In with voice-activated assistance make you feel pampered.
But my favorite feature is one that Infiniti alone can boast (at least for now): a truly innovative wireless phone charger, Qi2. It’s elevated off the phone charge pad; it’s magnetic, so it holds your phone in place, and it has a built-in fan that kicks on if your phone starts to get warm, and best of all, it charges faster. I popped my phone onto the magnetic charger at 65% and an hour later it was at 85%. That’s not a lightning-fast charge, but it’s as quick as my home wireless charger and maybe a little better; my home charger’s magnet isn’t all that strong and sometimes I wake up to find my phone didn’t charge at all. I didn’t have that issue in the Infiniti QX65.
There is one missed detail, though: The multimedia touchscreen system is Infiniti’s outgoing system rather than the new one found in the QX80. Because the QX60 was technically updated for 2026 rather than given a full makeover, the company kept the very functional but less design-focused screen that stands up from the dashboard. The QX80’s screen nestles into the dash for a more streamlined look. Had Infiniti added this screen setup to the QX65 it would feel truly elevated and set apart from the QX60.
When Space Is a Luxury, The Rear Seat and Cargo Area Measure Up
The premium feel continues in the rear seat, which is still everything the center row is in the QX60: It’s on a rail and slides forward and aft; the seats recline nicely and there are 5 lower anchors for kids’ car seats: Two on the outboard seats and one in the center seat to add extra capability for three car seats across the seat. Add to that the air vents, climate controls, lighted USB ports and a flat rear floor, and this is a very comfortable rear seat.
With the rear seat up, the 2027 Infiniti QX65 offers a stunning amount of cargo space—35.8 cubic feet of space that includes a sizable amount of underfloor storage. With the rear seats down, the space grows to 67.7 cubic feet. That’s at least five more feet of space than the Lexus RX and nearly double the cargo space in the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, though it’s about the same as the Lincoln Nautilus. Infiniti showed the QX65 with a full set of luggage: 3 checked bags, a roll-aboard and a duffle, but I’m sure a *professional* packer could get more in the space; it’s really quite large.
Premium Details Really Do Make the Infiniti QX65 Feel Special
We all know the delight of a thoughtful motion to make your day: a fancy dust jacket for a designer handbag, an extra late checkout time, an upgrade to business class. Infiniti clearly agrees and it shows in the QX65. It starts with oversized 20” wheels, which are typically an upgrade; it continues with standard all-wheel drive, a panoramic sunroof, the wireless charger, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three years of Google Built-in, noise control and engine sound enhancement to complete the sporty experience.
One feature that’s a standout is the Personal Sound option; it’s an app, downloadable to the car via the Google Play store, that allows you to take a quick quiz to measure your hearing and customize your ideal audio settings. I tried it out and the difference was quite stunning.
Three Trims Makes Choosing the Right Model Easy
The 2027 Infiniti QX65 comes in three trims — Infiniti eliminated the Pure base model found in the QX60 lineup. Here’s how they shake out:
- In addition to the standard features mentioned above, the Luxe edition includes the dual 12.3” displays, leatherette upholstery, ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control, an illuminated front grille and up to 6,000 lbs. of tow capacity; pricing starts at $53,990.
- The Sport edition adds vented front seats, exterior puddle lighting, a Klipsch 16 speaker sound system, a 3D surround view monitor and ambient lighting and starts at $55,690.
- Autograph, which is the top of the line, adds 21” wheels, leather upholstery with front seat massage, head up display, video rear view mirror, open pore wood trim and a 20 speaker Klipsch sound system with front seat headrest speakers for personal sound and private phone calls; pricing starts at $62,590.
- Autograph buyers can add a tech package with ProPilot Assist 2.1 for $3,700
- Sport buyers can add a Premium Package for $1,800 that includes a video rear view mirror, head up display, motion-activated lift gate and tow package
- The destination charge adds $1,545
- A specialized tow package for the Autograph trim can be added on for $450
- The Sunfire Red paint adds $950—because there’s real gold in that paint!
Infiniti worked hard to make this car special and it shows; personally, I love a sportback SUV for the toned, sophisticated feel that still delivers on the things I need most: high ground clearance, all-wheel drive and space to stretch out. The luxury touches elevate the experience further, even in the entry Luxe model. And the gold-flecked red paint? Just a bit more icing on the cake.
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