Infiniti Adds Coupe-ified QX65 Midsize Crossover

Infiniti is a brand that has long struggled to find its place in the automotive landscape. Is it just a more luxurious Nissan? A sportier Nissan? It’s still not entirely clear what the brand is actually going to be in the coming years as parent company Nissan tries to get itself back on a firm footing. But in the meantime, Infiniti is launching a new model in its lineup that draws heavily on what it’s already doing, the new 2027 QX65. 

From the front, the QX65 will look familiar to anyone familiar with the Infiniti lineup since this is essentially a coupe-ified version of the QX60 three-row crossover. It rides on the same 114.2-inch wheelbase and is about 0.4-inch longer overall thanks to the reprofiled fascias. The big difference is the roofline which goes from the traditional long roof SUV layout and instead slopes down behind the B-pillar. That means the rear seats are gone and this becomes a four or five seater. 

The face of the QX65 will be familiar to anyone that has seen an Infiniti in recent years but it does have a slightly more aggressive face to it than the QX60, in keeping with trying to bring some of the iconic Infiniti FX look to the vehicle. The QX65’s take on the Infiniti grille is a bit larger than what you’ll find on the QX60 but the feathered driving lamps are familiar. The rear end of the QX65 is also a bit more aggressive looking than the QX60 with a sharper edge to the taillamps and the spoiler at the top of the tailgate is larger. 

Besides the roof profile, the other big change for the QX65 is a new color that Infiniti is calling Sunfire Red. It’s a three color coat process that features gold coated glass flecks within the paint. 

On the inside, the two models are essentially identical apart from colors and some material textures. The hero combination Infiniti is showing off features a mix of black and brown leather with contrast stitching. The leather on the dashboard and seats is also finished in a quilted stitch pattern. There are three trims, Luxe, Sport and Autograph with the latter also including massaging front seats. 

There are two 12.3 inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment. The infotainment system is now running Google’s Android but retains support for wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. As with some recent Nissan models, the QX65 is getting a new Qi2 wireless charging pad that includes a magnet for newer iPhones and Android devices to hold the phone in place while providing faster charging. Without the third-row seat, the QX65 offers a particularly spacious 35.8 cubic feet of cargo space in the back that grows to 67.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.  

Infiniti’s hands-on ProPilot assist is part of the standard driver assist package with the usual array of other features including blindspot monitoring and a heads up display. On the QX65 Autograph, drivers can also opt for the hands-free ProPilot Assist 2.1 which allows drivers to release the steering wheel in most highway driving conditions. 

The QX65 is available with a Klipsch premium audio system with 20 speakers and 1,200 watts of amplification. The front seats in the Autograph also have headrest speakers to provide premium personalized audio. On top of that, Infiniti is also incorporating Nissan’s personalized sound app that allows drivers to do a quick hearing test and then adjusts the equalization based on what the driver can actually hear. 

Like the QX60, the QX65 is powered exclusively by Infiniti’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with variable compression along with a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.. It generates 268-horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque but frankly, it’s never quite lived up to expectations for performance or efficiency. 

The QX65 will be produced in Smyrna Tennessee alongside the QX60 and Nissan Pathfinder and should arrive at dealers in early summer. The Luxe starts at $53,990, Sport goes for $55,690 and Autograph starts at $62,590 plus a $1,495 destination fee. 

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