2026 Infiniti QX65 Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
Infiniti is looking to flesh out its midsize SUV range with the QX65 two-row crossover coupe. A spiritual heir to the brand's FX crossover of the 2000s, it's expected to ride on the same platform as the popular QX60 three-row but come in a fastback body.
The 2026 Infiniti QX65 should slot between the QX60 and QX80 flagship in Infiniti's lineup, and competitors will likely include the BMW X6 and Audi Q8.
Pictured above is a concept that previews the upcoming Infiniti QX65 luxury SUV.
Could the QX65 Get the Nissan Z's Powertrain?
Infiniti says inspiration for the QX65 comes from its original sporty two-row crossover, the FX (a line we've heard before, by the way). The FX was built on the same platform as the G35 coupe/sedan and Nissan 350Z sport coupe, and it also featured a modified version of their powertrain. It's not a stretch to think some of the new Z's foundations could wind up on the QX65, especially if the brand is hoping to emulate the old crossover's athleticism. (Or maybe that's just the enthusiast in us being optimistic.)
As much as we'd love to see a 400-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 under the hood of the new QX65, though, it may not be entirely practical. Fuel economy would likely fare about the same as the 2024 sports car's 19/28 mpg city/highway. Curiously, a version of the 3.5-liter VQ engine that came in the FX and 350Z is still being used today, in the Nissan Pathfinder, but its efficiency is only slightly better than the new Z.
If the QX65 is simply a sportier take on the QX60, it makes sense that it would adopt that model’s new VC-Turbo 2.0-liter inline-four engine. Already a solid match for the QX50 and QX55, the powerplant could prove the right fit for the 2027 QX65, too. In those other SUVs, it produces 268 hp and achieves 22 mpg in the city and 27-28 mpg on the highway.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
QX65 Safety Features
If the QX60 is any indication, every QX65 should come standard with key driver-assist and active safety features such as front and rear automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Higher trims are likely to add adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road sign recognition, and emergency evasive steering assist.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Infiniti's suggestion that the QX65 will be a "coupe" says less to us about how many doors it will have and more about what kind of roof it'll feature. Five-passenger capacity has been confirmed with the QX65 Monograph concept, but there will almost certainly be less available maximum cargo space than what's in the three-row QX60 because of a fastback roof on the newer SUV.
Look for the QX65 to offer something less than the 2024 QX60's max 75.4 cubic feet of cargo room. Competitors like the Audi Q8 and BMW X6 each offer approximately 60 cubes of maximum volume, and we're expecting the Infiniti to be in the same range.
Technology
Expect over-the-air update capability, big 12.3-inch driver information and central infotainment screens, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the QX65. Exterior puddle lamps and ambient interior lighting should add premium touches. Higher trim levels could get a head-up display, massaging front seats, and 17-speaker Bose audio.
When Will the QX65 Be Available? How Much Will It Cost?
The QX65 may debut for the 2026 model year, although Infiniti hasn't given a specific time frame, only indicating that the crossover is "on the horizon." The QX65 Monograph concept revealed at the 2025 Monterey Car Week further fueled speculation a production version could arrive soon. That said, look for more information to emerge in 2026. Pricing should start in the $60,000 range.
