Nissan’s luxury division isn’t doing pretty well these days. Sales numbers are dropping every year so the brand definitely needs more good models that can attract new and bring back lost buyers. One of the models that could change things is the 2022 Infiniti QX60. The mid-size crossover currently looks pretty old and isn’t particularly competitive, which is no wonder, considering that it derives from the Pathfinder, which is also pretty old.
Therefore, we expect significant improvements in various aspects. The current generation features subpar interior quality and lacks refinement, not to mention it uses a not-so-inspiring CVT gearbox. All these things should change and improve. While we are still waiting for the officials to hear something more, we can speculate about the possible design characteristics. Some of the things seem pretty obvious, while some others are still a hard guess. Therefore, take the following paragraphs with a reserve. The new 2022 Infiniti QX60 should arrive in the second half of the year.
2022 Infiniti QX60 Redesign
Redesigns are much more than visual updates as there are also some core changes in most cases as well. This particularly refers to the platform, which is often completely new. However, that won’t be the case with the 2022 Infiniti QX60, which will most likely continue to ride on the good-old D platform. However, it will receive significant upgrades, starting from the use of lighter and stiffer materials, such as HSS. As a result, the new model should become lighter without losing its rigidity.
Of course, we count on a new suspension setup as well. This aspect should bring significant improvements as well. We don’t expect that Infiniti engineers will tend to make this large crossover too sporty, so the setup will probably be on the soft side, rather than being too stiff.
Exterior
When it comes to the exterior design, we have no doubt that the 2022 Infiniti QX60 will stick pretty close to the QX60 Monographs concept. This one presented a completely new approach, which takes a lot of inspiration from newer Infiniti models but also brings various new design solutions. A good thing is that the concept looks pretty much production-ready, so we expect that the production version won’t go too far from that. At this point, the test mule still wears a camouflage, so it’s hard to talk about details.
The overall shape will certainly remain the same and we don’t expect bigger changes in size either. The current model measures around 114.2 inches in wheelbase and we presume that the company will tend to keep the SUV relatively maneuverable. So, the new 2022 Infiniti QX60 will roughly measure around 115 inches between the axles, reports say.
Interior
This is where we expect to see some of the biggest improvements. The current model doesn’t look particularly appealing. Moreover, it doesn’t go too far from mainstream Pathfinder. Fortunately, this will change, if we can rely on the latest spy shots. They show a completely new design approach to the dashboard.
While most of the dashboard is still covered, the center stack shows a lot. First of all, there is a large and wide tablet-like infotainment screen, which looks pretty nice. The rest of the center stack features relatively clean lines and we particularly like the fact that there is still a lot of physical knobs. This includes the gear shifter as well, which will now feature a modern electric selector.
When it comes to passenger space, the current model is already pretty decent. It comes standard with three rows of seats, where the first two are pretty generous in space. The third row, on the other side, is typically tight for the segment. The new model could improve for a bit but we don’t expect too much. The same thing goes for the cargo area.
2022 Infiniti QX60 Engines
Big changes are expected under the hood as well. The current V6 will probably be replaced and there should be two variants in the offer. Base models will probably feature a 2.0-liter turbo-four with variable compression, with a max output of around 300 horsepower. On the other side, a higher trim level should come with a familiar 3.0-liter V6 in the offer. This turbocharged engine puts out around 400 horsepower.
Another big change should come in terms of transmission. Instead of the current CVT gearbox, the new model will most likely feature the company’s new 9-speed automatic gearbox. Without any doubt, this will significantly improve the driving experience.
2022 Infiniti QX60 Release Date and Price
The 2022 Infiniti QX60 will probably hit the market sometime in the second of the year. We presume that the new model will feature a slightly higher starting price compared to the current model, which goes around 45.000 dollars. Of course, key competitors will be models like Acura MDX, Lexus RX, Audi Q7 etc.