I wanted to love the Infiniti QX65. This two-row luxury SUV is a big deal for Infiniti as it tries to reinvigorate the brand. I spent my time looking for reasons to dislike it, mostly because I didn’t want to get carried away by a pretty face. Unfortunately for my objectivity, Infiniti built one of the best-looking luxury SUVs on the market.
Coupe-like SUVs can look awkward. The QX65 doesn’t. The proportions are spot on, and even parked among a sea of luxury crossovers, it stands out. That’s not easy these days when so many SUVs look like variations of the same theme.
Sunfire Red Steals The Show
The real showstopper, though, is the Sunfire Red paint. Infiniti describes it as a deep red infused with real gold-coated glass flecks, and for once the marketing language isn’t exaggerating. When sunlight hits the paint, those tiny flecks create a richness and depth that’s difficult to capture in photos. Mazda’s Soul Red Crystal Metallic has long been my favorite red paint, but Sunfire Red gives it a legitimate challenge.
It’s one of those colors that makes you look back over your shoulder after you’ve parked. That’s exactly the sort of emotional connection luxury vehicles should create.
The Interior Feels Like A Luxury SUV Should
The exterior gets your attention, but the cabin seals the deal. Infiniti absolutely nailed the interior. The materials feel expensive without trying too hard, and the overall design strikes a balance between modern technology and simplicity. Nothing feels complicated for the sake of looking advanced.
The seats deserve special recognition because they’re outstanding. They strike that perfect balance between support and comfort that makes a short drive enjoyable and a long drive effortless. After several hours behind the wheel, I wasn’t shifting around trying to get comfortable or counting the miles until my next stop.
The Ride Is Better Than You Might Expect
Luxury isn’t just about leather and giant screens. It’s also about how a vehicle handles everyday life, and that’s another area where the QX65 shines. The ride is smooth, composed, and remarkably comfortable. Rough pavement never upsets the cabin, and highway miles disappear with very little effort. It feels substantial and refined in a way that matches its premium ambitions.
Combined with those excellent seats, the QX65 becomes an easy vehicle to spend time in. Whether you’re commuting to work or heading out on a road trip, it does a great job of making the journey feel relaxed.
Then I Put My Foot Down
This is where my frustration begins. The QX65 uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that looks perfectly acceptable on paper. In practice, it never feels like enough.
Every time I asked for quick acceleration, whether merging onto the highway or passing slower traffic, I found myself wanting more. Not sports-car power. Not anything outrageous. Just more confidence when I pressed the accelerator.
What makes the disappointment worse is that everything else feels so premium. The styling is beautiful. The cabin is luxurious. The ride quality is top-notch. Everything about the QX65 hints at a great luxury SUV.
Then the engine reminds you that’s not quite the case. It’s also louder than it should be when pushed hard. Instead of delivering smooth, effortless power, it lets you know it’s working. A lot. That’s not what I expect from a luxury SUV at this price point.
Infiniti Was So Close
That’s what makes the QX65 such a frustrating vehicle. Pricing starts at $53,990, which feels reasonable given the styling, interior quality, and long list of standard features. Even a well-equipped Autograph trim stays competitive at $62,590. Had Infiniti given this SUV a more powerful and refined engine, I’d probably be telling everyone to go buy one.
Instead, I’m left wondering why they stopped just short of greatness. What frustrates me most is how much Infiniti got right everywhere else. They created a vehicle people will notice. They built a cabin people will enjoy spending time in. They gave it a ride quality that feels genuinely premium.
The engine is the one thing that doesn’t live up to the rest of the package. The QX65 isn’t a bad luxury SUV. Far from it. It’s a good luxury SUV that came incredibly close to being great.
Every time I looked at that beautiful Sunfire Red paint sparkling in the sunlight, I couldn’t help thinking the same thing. The Infiniti QX65 is almost everything I wanted. It just needed a little more engine to match the rest of the vehicle.
