2019 Infiniti XC60Jonathan Yarkony OVERVIEW Caspable, practical luxury seven-seater PROSExcellent practicality with an agreeable design CONSOutdated infotainment system in a plain-looking cabin VALUE FOR MONEYGood value for a luxury crossover WHAT TO CHANGE?Refresh the interior and come up with a new infotainment system HOW TO SPEC IT?Essential Package with ProPilot Assist Not every car has to be revolutionary or groundbreaking to be successful. In fact, quite the opposite success in the automotive market is often a careful curation of proven technologies and conformist packaging. Now, marketing campaigns will make every ho-hum crossover sound like its the first of its kind to land on the moon, and there might be a clever new feature here or another evolution in tech there, but often as not, buyers are skipping the trims that have every latest gizmo, doodad and the biggest wheels.To be successful, you have to get the basics right, and look good doing it, too (well, usually). The 2019 Infiniti QX60 is six years into its product cycle, three years removed from its most recent refresh, and no doubt due for replacement, but its experiencing resurgent sales and has been Infinitis best seller since its first full year in 2013. Not only is it a hit in Infiniti showrooms, its sales are creeping right up to the Nissan Pathfinder on which it is based, and it has surged ahead of the Acura MDX, its closest rival as a luxury midsize seven-seater. In fact, you could say it is the best-selling luxury midsize seven-seater since only the Lexus RX and BMW X5 surpass its sales in the segment, and those are only seven-seaters when optioned accordingly.And of all the things it does, being a seven-seater is probably the thing it does best. One of my favourite, underappreciated features in the minivan-substitute three-row crossover segment is smart second row seats that slide well out of the way for easy access to the third row. Combined with reasonable headroom and seats that arent flat on the floor (I’m looking at you, Lexus RX 350L), it makes all the difference between a usable third row and emergency-only torture zone. The Infiniti QX60 nails it. The second-row seat bottom folds in on itself and slides forward for a wide (though somewhat high) step-through and there is adult-sized headroom with limited legroom once you get back there. The third row isnt exactly lounge-like, but this is a midsize crossover, not a full-size SUV or a minivan, so its appropriate for the size and, most importantly, useful on a regular basis for more than just small kids. Complementing the easily accessible three rows of seating, the cargo space is at minimum 450 L with additional hidden storage under the floor, then more than doubles to 1,140 L when you drop the third row, and a maximum of 2,146 L with all seats folded. Not only is the big Infiniti spacious, but both rows of seats split and fold so you can fold down just one side of both rows for a very long cargo space and still have room for a few passengers in the back.The cargo capacity doesnt end with the trunk, as the QX60 also tows up to 5,000 lbs and meets the needs of cabin storage with cupholders, door pockets with room for bottles, a tray for your phone conveniently close to charging (though no wireless charging or onboard WiFi), plus a glovebox and a centre console cubby under the armrest for stashing odds and ends. Aside from the ample storage, the QX60 as-equipped would make an excellent road trip companion, topping off the long equipment list with the theatre package that add headrest-mounted monitors, wireless headphones and remote, and 120V power and HDMI port to connect game consoles or other devices. Face it, singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall just wont hold kids attention for very long these days. With everybody and all their crap easily packed in, the QX60 is ready to bore you with its completely serene, forgettable driving experience. The drivers seat is supportive and well-padded so it wont make you uncomfortable, the shifter is traditional and within easy reach, so it takes no conscious thought to shift it into reverse and drive and get going. Behind the scenes, a 3.5-litre V6 is matched with standard all-wheel drive, and power is fed through a continuously variable transmission that is designed to imitate a geared automatic transmission, so it feels much like any other average car or utility vehicle youve been driving for the past couple decades, only smoother. The engine yields 295 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, and although it weighs over 2,000 kilos, it gets going with a pleasing, progressive acceleration to the muted soundtrack of a V6 behind a great deal of sound deadening.The CVT does its best to make the most of the premium fuel thats recommended, rated at 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 9.0 on the highway. In our week of a suburban mix of driving, it landed at 12.6, which not
Origin: SUV Review: 2019 Infiniti QX60