The Japanese Luxury SUV Nobody Recommends That Just Got Better In Every Way That Matters

Luxury SUVs are now the ultimate choice if you want opulence, space for your family, and a comfortable ride. The biggest brands like BMW, Audi, Porsche, Cadillac, Lexus, and Lincoln continue to turn out some of the fanciest and roomiest models on the market, and the market would look empty without them.

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Then there are the Japanese brands that are quietly challenging the stalwarts with a few tricks of their own. This Infiniti SUV, in particular, may not have the reputation of its European and American rivals, but thanks to the mid-cycle update it has received, it has just gotten better where it counts.

Why Luxury Three-Row SUVs Are More Competitive Than Ever

Luxury three-row SUVs have become one of the most hotly contested segments in the market. What was once a relatively small corner of the market is now packed with options from nearly every premium marque. Why? Because they sit in a sweet spot for many buyers looking for the space and usability of a family hauler but who also want the top-spec comfort, technology, and prestige of a luxury vehicle.

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The expectations now placed on these SUVs have also changed a lot. Ten years ago, we would have likely overlooked some shortcomings in driving dynamics or fuel economy in exchange for the extra room you get with a three-row model. Today, it is not as easy to look past.

Cadillac

Modern luxury SUVs are expected to deliver sedan-like refinement, strong performance, driver-assist tech, and premium materials across all three rows. Features once reserved for the sedan market, like adaptive air suspension, hands-free driving, heated seats, top-end audio rigs, and massive screens, have quickly gone from posh extras to must-haves, and a lot of brands are delivering.

The Biggest Names Still Dominate

BMW

There are more options than ever today, and while the market has gotten more varied, the most established nameplates still rule. Models like the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Cadillac Escalade, and Lexus TX remain at the top of the list because they have built a reputation for delivering a bit of everything. The new X7 (before opting for the Alpina XB7) gets a massive 90.4 cubic feet of storage space, luxury additions like BMW’s Curved Display, and the option of a 4.4-liter bi-turbo S68 mild-hybrid V8 good for 523 horsepower and 4.5-second 0–60 mph times.

Chris Chin | Top Speed

The 2026 TX is available with a 3.5-liter plug-in hybrid V6 (TX 550h+) that can kick out 404 horsepower while still achieving a 33-mile all-electric range, and offers up to 97 cubic feet of space and all the quiet luxury that Lexus is so good at. These two are just examples worth mentioning, but buyers with the budget for luxury three-row SUVs tend to stick with what they know instead of taking a “gamble” on something less coveted.

Standing Out Takes More Than A Premium Badge

Genesis

Because so many of the most popular premium three-row SUVs are so good at what they do, it makes life harder for the competition. Simply offering leather upholstery, a big touchscreen, and a premium logo isn’t enough when nearly every rival does the same, and the more established ones have etched a name for themselves over so many years.

Market competition has to come down to detail today; buyers want to make sure that, along with the premium features, there is enough legroom for everyone, cargo capacity for longer trips, towing capacity, and fuel economy that won’t be a financial burden.

Mercedes-Benz

Some of the best three-row SUVs offer good value for money; others offer comparable equipment at lower prices than market leaders; some have fuel-efficient hybrid powertrains under the hood, and some are the smoothest riding models out there. So, having a specific reason to choose a model over the usual suspects can make a big difference.

The 2026 Infiniti QX60 Deserves A Second Look

Infiniti

Among all the BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, and Porsches, Infiniti doesn’t always get the easiest time of things. In 2025, there were just shy of 31,600 BMW X7 models sold in the U.S.; Infiniti said they sold 30,538 QX60 models in 2025 in the U.S. This is despite the 2025 X7 having a starting price of $67,475 compared to the 2025 QX60’s MSRP of $51,550.

Base Trim Engine

2.0-liter turbo inline-4

Base Trim Transmission

9-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

268 hp @ 5,600 rpm

Base Trim Torque

286 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm

Make

Infiniti

Model

QX60

Segment

Midsize Luxury SUV

However, the 2026 Infiniti QX60, aside from being relatively well-priced for its breeding, deserves more attention for everything it offers. There are four trims available this year, with the following MSRPs.

There is also just one engine option for this year’s lineup, and while the 3.5-liter V6 was dropped for the 2025 model year, the Variable Compression turbo-four it comes equipped with is still capable and balances power and efficiency well. It has the following specs.

A Sharper Design Finally Gives It More Presence

Infiniti

The outgoing QX60 was never an ugly SUV, but it often fades into the background when parked alongside a Mercedes-Benz (of course, the badge will do that as well); following the mid-cycle refresh, though, this has been addressed. The QX60 has been tweaked to borrow heavily from the flagship QX80’s design, with a more upright front fascia, a redesigned double-arch grille that has reportedly been inspired by the intersecting shapes of a bamboo forest, slimmer daytime running lights, and an illuminated Infiniti emblem up front.

Justin Westbrook/CarBuzz/Valnet

The changes aren’t revolutionary, but they do work. The new front end helps it look more like a premium luxury SUV, while the rear has also been cleaned up with a revised liftgate and rear fascia that make it appear lower and wider than the 2025 model. There are new wheel designs, and a whole new trim, the Sport trim, has been added to the lineup and is available with gloss-black exterior accents and 20-inch wheels that make the previous Sensory trim look slightly conservative.

Smarter Tech And A More Premium Cabin Close The Gap

Arguably, the biggest improvements happen inside. While the 2025 model already featured a well-put-together interior, its technology package was beginning to lag compared to some of the market leaders. Infiniti has addressed this as well; you now get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster paired with an updated 12.3-inch infotainment display, which integrates Google Built-In, as standard across the lineup.

Attention to detail has always been a strength of Nissan’s luxury arm, but it has just gotten better thanks to the refresh. The top-tier Autograph trims now get quilted semi-aniline leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, and more premium color schemes that look a lot closer to more expensive three-row SUVs.

Justin Westbrook/CarBuzz/Valnet

The new Sport trim also offers something distinctly different. You get blacked-out interior accents with Dusk Blue upholstery, and second-row captain’s chairs to help it distinguish itself from the rest of the lineup.

To replace the already impressive Bose audio system, Infiniti has added Klipsch audio systems. The Luxe trim gets a 16-speaker setup, while the Autograph trim gets a 20-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere system with individual headrest speakers. In areas that are most noticeable for luxury SUV buyers, the refreshed QX60 gets a lot right.

Why The 2026 QX60 Is Better Than Most Buyers Realize

Infiniti

The price for the 2026 QX60 has taken only a slight step-up compared to the 2025 model, but it would seem that the price increase comes with a lot of extra refinement and niceties. Plus, the starting price of a new QX60 is still somewhat below its main three-row rivals, which have the following starting prices.

Comfort, Space, And Refinement Remain Its Biggest Strengths

As noted, just having a premium interior and sleek exterior isn’t quite enough today, and the QX60 offers both style and substance. You get 140.6 cubic feet of passenger volume, 14.5 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row, 41.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 75.4 cubic feet as a maximum. You also get decent room over all three rows (though it is worth noting that some taller passengers may find the third row a bit cramped). The new QX60 has the following interior space.

One of the biggest draws to the new QX60 is how easy it is to configure. Depending on trim, you can choose between seven and six-passenger layouts, with the latter getting second-row captain’s chairs. Getting into the third row is easy thanks to Infiniti’s one-touch second-row seats, which can slide and tilt forward, while loading cargo is easy, courtesy of second and third-row seats that fold flat to create a massive uninterrupted load floor.

Infiniti

The QX60 also achieves refinement without relying on adaptive dampers or air suspension, as many of its European rivals do. Infiniti has focused on suspension tuning, chassis isolation, and noise suppression to deliver a composed ride. It gets fully independent suspension, consisting of a front strut arrangement and a rear multi-link setup, which is tuned for comfort over cornering prowess.

Inside, you also get acoustic laminated glass, lots of sound deadening, and active noise cancellation tech to keep road and wind noise at bay. All this, combined with supportive seats and a smooth powertrain, means the QX60 delivers a level of refinement you’d expect to find in more expensive models. There are many good reasons why owners who have left a review of the 2026 QX60 on Kelley Blue Book rate it 4.8 out of 5 for comfort.

The Refreshed QX60 Fixes Many Of Its Most Noticeable Weaknesses

Infiniti

While the dropping of the V6 in the QX60 wasn’t a result of the mid-cycle refresh that it has just gone through, the evolution of turbo tech has paid dividends here. FuelEconomy.gov says that the V6-equipped QX60 can achieve between 20 and 21 combined mpg. You can tow up to 6,000 pounds with the AWD models.

FuelEconomy.gov also reports that the 2026 Infiniti QX60 can achieve 24 combined mpg, regardless of whether you opt for the front-wheel-drive model or the all-wheel-drive variant. The only difference is that the FWD models can achieve 28 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city, while the AWD models can achieve 27 mpg on the highway and the same in the city. The best part is that you can still tow up to 6,000 pounds with it.

Infiniti

What the refresh accomplishes is making the QX60 feel better equipped for everyday luxury SUV use without sacrificing any of its premium character. The more refined details, better technology, and overall build quality are exactly the points that separate some luxury SUVs from others, and the QX60 is now moving up to the higher price tier.

It no longer looks anonymous on the road or in a lot; the interior is plusher yet still as usable as you’d expect from a big mid-sized SUV, and the tech is more in line with what you’d find in a Lexus or BMW SUV. The addition of Google Built-In, available ProPILOT Assist 2.1, a new Front Wide View Camera, and an enhanced 3D Around View Monitor also help bring the QX60 up to the higher echelons of the market without costing nearly as much.​​​​​​​

The 2026 Infiniti QX60 Is The Comeback Story Nobody Saw Coming

Infiniti

According to reviews on J.D. Power, the 2026 Infiniti QX60 is rated 77 out of 100 overall, with a 76 out of 100 rating for reliability and a 70 out of 100 rating for driving experience. This places it, overall, among the higher ratings in the 2026 three-row market; the 2026 RX and XT5 get 81 out of 100 overall, while models like the X7 get 80 out of 100, and the GLS gets 75 out of 100.​​​​​​​

Infiniti

Cost of ownership for three-row SUVs can also be an expensive game. However, the QX60 also does relatively well here. According to CarEdge, it will cost you, on average, $74,298 to own one over five years. That is a lot more expensive than the TX, which will reportedly cost you just $56,661, but a lot cheaper than the X7 and the GLS. They will cost you $144,325 and $156,783, respectively, over the same time period.

What the new QX60 does very well is balance lower costs with higher-end expectations. Yes, it isn’t as fast or engaging to drive as some of the German models available, and badge prestige for those who want something that immediately catches the eye of other luxury aficionados isn’t nearly as strong.​​​​​​​

Infiniti

However, thanks to the quality build, impressive features across the board, high rates of usability, attractive starting prices across the trims, decent ownership costs, and the most recent refresh, the new QX60 does look to take on the market stalwarts at their own game, even if fewer people talk about it.

Sources: Infiniti, FuelEconomy.gov, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, and CarEdge.