On the Road Again in an Infiniti: A Review of the QX60

On the Road Again in an Infiniti: A Review of the QX60

By Megan Busch

I’m not a girl who knows a ton about cars. I’ve driven Jeeps all my life (as has my mother), and I really haven’t veered off that track—ever. So, I’ve teamed up with the group at Baker Motor Company to try new things, namely cars outside my norm. A few times each month, I’ll be driving one of Baker’s cars and letting you know what I think. This isn’t going to be a series of Car and Driver or Motor Trend reviews. It’s just a girl sharing her honest opinion about some nifty vehicles.

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A few weeks ago, I sat in the driver’s seat of a Porsche 718 Boxster. If you missed my review of the zippy little car, you’ll want to check it out here. This week, the team at Baker put me in something completely different—a 2016 INFINITI QX60—which upon first glance, seemed to be a solid, practical investment. At the dealership, General Sales Manager AJ Geffert let me know that other shoppers felt this way, too. The QX60 crossover is the number-one selling INFINITI at the showroom. I currently drive a Jeep crossover, and the design has always been efficient for errands, hauling the bikes, or toting my dog, Scout, around town. Infiniti’s version definitely steps it up a notch.

Crossover into Luxe

Many times, consumers associate total luxury with sports cars or sedans and utility with SUVs or crossovers. The QX60 broke down this barrier for me, as it combines both elements. It was the very first car I sat in that had cooled, ventilated seats. What an indulgence here in the South! My memories of any given summer are almost always accompanied by a thigh-singeing experience after a long day at the beach. Seat ventilation essentially adds air conditioning to leather seats, helping drivers avoid burns on Charleston’s scorching hot days. This may not be the most technologically advanced feature of the car, but it impressed this little driver immensely. Sliced bread has nothing on cooled seats.

Throughout the drive, I felt as though I was riding in a luxury car, only one that is higher off the ground, more powerful, and full of storage capacity. Each component inside the car was well made, and it was obvious that INFINITI paid attention to each and every detail. The driver’s seat moved back to allow me to easily slide into the vehicle and returned to a set position when I closed the door. A handy button on the steering wheel connected me to a voice-control system—like Siri—to ask for directions or look for the nearest gas station. The cruise control setting functioned intuitively, slowing when traffic slowed and increasing speed (to my set limit) when other cars moved more quickly.

I was pleasantly surprised with the QX60’s features; the designers seemed to incorporate little additions that made me feel special while I was driving. I think I would liken it to the same feeling you get when Billy Hall brings you a complimentary champagne toast because he’s happy to see you celebrating an anniversary at Hall’s Chophouse. It’s those little luxuries that really make the experience memorable, right?

The Mom Factor

When I saw the compact third row in the QX60, it made me think that this particular car would be excellent for families. When I was growing up, my mom would squeeze me, my brother, and my two neighborhood friends in the car each morning as we carpooled to school. That third row, which adds seating capacity for two more, would have been so handy for those hectic mornings.

Now, for full disclosure, I’m not a mom, and I don’t really know what moms look for in a potential vehicle. So I paid a visit to my friend Maribeth, new mom of Charlie, so that she could give me some insight about the QX60 from a whole different perspective. We placed the car seat and base in the vehicle just to see how it fit. Charlie was cozy, and with a mirror hanging on the backseat, Maribeth was able to see her son’s face from the car’s rearview mirror. Beyond his comfort, two other items were of high importance to Maribeth now that she’s a mother—safety and space.

The QX60 proved to be a winner in the safety category. With automatically tightening seatbelts, a backup camera, a blind-spot sensor, and strategically placed airbags, the car has rightfully earned a spot on the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ list, which is the highest designation awarded by IIHS. Knowing these safety features made Maribeth feel comfortable about scooting around town with Charlie in tow.

Considering space, there was one item to note: when the third-row seats are in use, they decrease the storage space in the trunk. This is not a big deal for a daily commute, but it may limit luggage capacity during a road trip. To combat this, the INFINITI model is already equipped with luggage racks on top of the car. The addition of a Thule or Yakima rooftop cargo carrier can provide additional space for family vacations.

For day-to-day travel, the QX60 is plenty spacious. Overall, Maribeth would have been thrilled have this crossover as her own—it had added luxuries (like powerful vents in the backseat to keep baby Charlie cool in his car seat) and all of the advanced safety features that provide peace of mind on the road.

Drawing Conclusions

Driving the QX60 was really a treat for me. The INFINITI exceeded my expectations and quite honestly, blew my crossover out of the water (don’t tell the folks at Jeep). As a driver with a small family (just my husband and the pup), the space in this car is phenomenal, and its slightly rugged nature made me want to throw the kayak on top and head to Shem Creek.

About This 2016 INFINITI QX60

Price: $57,440

Fuel Economy: 19 Miles per Gallon in the City, 26 Miles per Gallon on the Highway

Exterior: Graphite Shadow

Interior: Graphite

Features:

3.5L V6 Engine

Automatic Transmission

Premium Plus Package with Variable Speed, Intermittent Wipers, Navigation System, Backup Camera, Rain Sensing Wipers, and Rear Parking Aid

Heated and Cooled Front Seats

Third-Row Seating

Woodgrain Interior Trim

Lane Keeping Assist

Luggage Rack

Blind-Spot Monitor

Keyless Start

Premium Surround Sound

To test drive the INFINITI QX60, stop by Baker Motor Company in West Ashley located at 1513 Savannah Highway.