Infiniti unveiled the new QX60 Monograph concept last year, then followed up with the finalized production design earlier this summer. The smoothed lines, sportier stance, and interior creature comforts definitely represent a big leap upmarket for the Nissan subsidiary's crossover, which arguably transforms into an SUV for the 2022 model year.

But no matter how much the all-new QX60 aims to lead Infiniti toward a new combination of style, luxury, and performance—epitomized by actress, model, and entrepreneur Kate Hudson in a Zack Snyder-directed short film accompanying the debut—all those improvements will only go so far unless the QX60 drives well enough to match the looks. After previewing the official debut back in June, I recently traveled to Northern California to hop behind the wheel of the 2022 QX60 for a quick tour in town, on country roads, and on the freeway.

Driving The QX60 In Wine Country

The roads and highways of Napa Valley, Sonoma, and Marin provide the perfect environment to experience the new QX60, in exactly the same fashion as Infiniti's target customer might drive their new, family-focused seven-seater. And Infiniti went to great lengths to explore the higher income, professional buyer that the QX60 targets, specifically a wealthy mother who successfully balances the requirements of family, work, and social life with aplomb. Multiple reps from the brand, from product planners to engineers and, of course, PR pros all expressed their precise vision of how the QX60 enables the most seamless integration of a family hauler into that idealized, perfectly successful life.

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A 295-Horsepower V6 Paired With A Nine-Speed Automatic

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via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

Underneath the revamped exterior, which minorly stretched the QX60's dimensions in height, length, and width, Infiniti supplies a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6, similar to the outgoing model, but in this iteration producing 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. One of the biggest pieces of news for the QX60 comes in the form of a new nine-speed automatic transmission replacing the outgoing CVT, which should also improve fuel economy to what Infiniti claims as a new class-best rating of 25 MPG highway for the all-wheel-drive variant.

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via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

Infiniti put me behind the wheel of a fully-loaded QX60, the Autograph package, that adds every single interior amenity, option, and tech feature available on the model. The two-tone leather interior creates a feeling of almost European sensuality, as do the real ash wood on the dash, quilted stitching on the seats, and high-quality metal trim pieces surrounding climate vents, screens, and driver controls.

Stepping up to the Autograph, which most closely hews to the Monograph concept's original design, helps the interior match the QX60's exterior—the bow of the windshield, the increasingly popular SUV-coupe roofline, and the smoothed-over simplicity definitely represent a departure from the outgoing model's borderline bulky, very van-like design. The Autograph adds over $15,000 to the base QX60 Pure's $46,850 MSRP and yet, Infiniti reps on hand in Napa told me the QX60 already sells like hotcakes, which only makes them more excited for the new model to hit dealer floors later this year.

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The Only Choice For Autograph Buyers

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via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

Autograph-level QX60 buyers who are willing to shell out over $60,000 face a single choice for their new SUV, between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Because the V6 mounts transversely in the spacious engine bay, the FF (front-mounted, front-wheel drive) option does remain in testament to the QX60's former crossover status. Adding the BorgWarner all-wheel-drive system still maintains a front-wheel bias, with a base 50-50 torque split once the system engages, while also bumping the towing rating up to a substantial 6,000 pounds.

That all-wheel-drive setup presented itself almost immediately when the throttle pedal's first inch or so of travel resulted in no movement until all of a sudden, the front wheels chirped on the slippery painted lines of a crosswalk as I made a first left turn. Part of the surprising feeling, I believe, can also be attributed to the nine-speed transmission, which functions perfectly and shifts lightning fast during smooth and steady driving but feels like it too often searches for the proper gear when accelerating from a stop or applying light throttle while already underway, as the nine-speed lags while downshifting three (or maybe even four) gears before hooking up.

That throttle lag, which I attributed to the gearbox, probably figured in as the most serious complaint I found while driving the QX60 for a few hours. Otherwise, the drive inspires a sense of luxurious smoothness—the suspension truly is the star of the show here, with firm but compliant dampers and beefed-up sway bars preventing all but the most minimal of body roll. The electric power steering felt better than most, though the by-now industry standard leaves a lot to be desired in almost every application.

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Wheels And Tires Make All The Difference

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via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

My QX60 came with 20-inch wheels and relatively low-profile tires as part of the Autograph package, though lower-spec vehicles across the grade walk receive smaller rims and taller tires, which I believe could even further enhance the ride quality. Overall, the suspension absorbs large bumps and gobbles up wavy, rolling portions of road, though the smallest cracks and imperfections do translate through the chassis to the cabin despite a 60% increase in sound absorption materials throughout the vehicle. Higher sidewalls may help ameliorate that sensation, though few buyers will probably want to sacrifice the handsome 20-inchers on their mall crawler.

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Coddled In Zero Gravity Captain's Chairs

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via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

The comfortable ride also highlights the spectacular seats that Infiniti brands as "Zero Gravity" captain's chairs. Both heated and ventilated for cooling, these veritable thrones might just be the most comfortable car seats I've ever experienced, with just enough bolster to match the QX60's hint of sportiness. They certainly wouldn't do on a full-on sports car, but that's not the point here. In Autograph trim, the form-fitting design also receives wonderfully tactile leather upholstery with quilted stitching that, despite appearing similar to Argyle-type patterning, actually mimics the expanding ripples formed when a pebble drops into a small pond.

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Creature Comforts For The Whole Family

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via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

That textural quality extends to the second row of captain's chairs, as well, and on to the third-row bench (though the latter does not get the stitching, heating, or ventilation). My QX60 featured an easily removable center console between the second-row seats, so it only sat six, though sacrificing the captain's chairs will allow buyers who need the room to comfortably seat seven. Best of all, copious climate control vents, extra USB charging ports, and 14—count 'em—14 bottle and cupholders throughout should help to keep the rear occupants happy during long road trips.

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Tech Features And Interior Design

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via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

On those longer drives, Infiniti's tech will definitely make an impression. I got a chance to fiddle with Nissan and Infiniti's ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control and driver's aid safety features, which activate in various drive modes to either warn for lane departures, maintain following distance, beep when the cars in front slow down, or, when fully activated, even lightly steer the QX60 entirely (it prefers, but does not 100% require, hands on the wheel). Wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, and a head-up display (with astonishingly accurate speed limit programming) also fit into the mix. A 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen atop the dash complements a novel haptic-feedback display for the climate control and radio, which combines a futuristic capacitive-sensing pad that produces a slight buzzing sensation on smooth surfaces with good-old-fashioned knobs and buttons thrown in for good measure—this system requires a bit of getting used to before unintended button-mashing ends, while also increasing the probability of glare on sunny days.

The electronic shifter also dictates a learning period to comprehend fully, as shifting between park, reverse, drive, and neutral departs from a more traditional rod or cable-actuated lever (even as it allows for a nifty storage space directly below). Directly to the shifter's left, a small toggle switch allows the driver to select between five different drive modes that affect throttle mapping and steering weight—my favorite, predictably, was Sport. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel feel a bit gratuitous, especially considering Infiniti's target consumer, though they may come in handy while towing to allow for engine braking during steep descents, as well as reducing potentially exacerbated throttle lag upon acceleration.

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Getting Used To The QX60

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via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

The second and third-row seats combine with thick C and D pillars to significantly limit rear visibility, which Infiniti attempts to ameliorate with a rear-view camera function built into the center rearview mirror. Again, this feature adds a degree of reassurance when the whole crew piles into the back but also requires an adjustment, since moving to find different reflection angles becomes a thing of the past due to the camera's fixed point of view.

Towards the end of my time in the QX60, I began to feel moderately accustomed to all the design and engineering details, especially the more creature-comfort-focused technology (a serious departure from my daily driver, a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero). Returning the keys before a long drive down to LA felt silly—driving the QX60 home on the I-5 would have been much more relaxing. Still, little Nissan hints did emerge, like the Pathfinder-sourced steering wheel, plus a cheap cloth headliner that felt less than fully attached at points (a detail that Infiniti might resolve in a production vehicle).

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A Solid Combination Of Style, Performance, And Luxury

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via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

Overall, Infiniti left little doubt in my mind that the QX60 represents a big step for the brand's market presence, which steadily declined after the G35 debuted in 2002 (or maybe the FX45 SUV in 2003). The noticeable bump upscale in terms of style, amenities, and tech should definitely attract potential buyers in the luxury mid-sized SUV segment, which Infiniti's reps willingly admitted has been dominated by the Acura MDX for the past decade-plus. The design improvements look even better in person than they do in photographs, though little details like faux vents up front, chrome plaques instead of exhaust tips, and window-surround trim that looks exactly like the retaining clips of Speedplay cycling pedal cleats aren't quite to my liking—just make the inlets functional, at the very least!

The new QX60 certainly drives well enough, too. That nine-speed transmission helps keep the 3.5-liter V6 right in the power band, despite the surprising lack of forced induction or a complementary mild-hybrid boost. Maybe the transmission programming would have eventually gotten used to my driving style and reduced that downshift lag and searching sensation—or maybe I drive differently than an average mother of three. Hopefully, the new design language and tech continue to filter throughout the Infiniti lineup, so that style, luxury, economy, and utility can return to the brand's offerings and continue to heat up competition against the likes of Acura, Lexus, and Genesis.

Sources: infinitiusa.com, youtube.com, acura.com, and borgwarner.com.