Look around today and you’ll see loads of “crossover-coupes” or “Coupe-SUVs,” like this upcoming 2027 Infiniti QX65, on the highway and littered across mall parking lots. Once considered an answer to a question nobody asked, they’ve grown in popularity to the point every that luxury make (and some mainstream brands) now offer them alongside more traditional crossovers and SUVs.
There’s the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, BMW X4 and X6, Mercedes GLC, Audi Q4 and even offerings from Genesis and Lexus that fit the bill. They don’t make any sense compared to their more traditional, practical offerings but when has that ever stopped the automotive industry? Pretty is pretty and although I once scoffed at a coupe-SUV, in a world where SUVs will always exist, at least these coupe-SUVs are usually easy on the eyes.
We were invited to Nissan’s Canadian Headquarters to have a look at the upcoming Infiniti QX65 in the metal, and here’s what I saw and thought.
Back like I never left
BMW and its X6 are often credited for the invention of the coupe or fastback SUV, but if we go all the way back to 2002 it’s actually the Infiniti FX that really pioneered the now popular segment. The FX was a sultry and daring design, looking fast standing still, something that no other SUV could do back then. It threw out the traditional SUV playbook and built an athletic piece of kit that looks more like a lifted coupe than an SUV. Adorned with concept car styling, massive-for-the-time 20” wheels and a sloping roofline, it was a sight to behold back then, and holds up remarkably well in the modern era. The new Infiniti QX65 aims to bring Infiniti back to the arena it once created.
The new QX65 is a stunner, even if it doesn’t match the groundbreaking looks of the original. If you squint hard enough, you can see hints of the FX in the new model’s athletic design. The slim headlights, menacing DRL eyes, and imposing blacked-out grille dominate the front end. I’m generally not a fan of illuminated emblems, but it works for Infiniti, with the central “infinite road” motif enhanced with LED illumination, and helps to add contrast to the blacked out grille, day or night.
The upcoming QX65 in top-tier Autograph trim wears handsome 21-inch wheels; hardly groundbreaking as the twenties on the FX back in 2002, but attractive nonetheless. The side profile is dominated by the blacked-out sloping roofline against the beautiful gold flake Sunfire Red paint. There’s also gloss black that runs the length of the QX65 from the front bumper, over the wheel wells and blending into the gloss black of the rear bumper trim.
One of the coolest design elements in the 3D rear light bar, with three triangular elements that jut out from either side to further break up the multi-led setup, which itself is encased in a smoked surround. The 3D light bar gives off a premium athletic vibe, tying in perfectly to the character of the QX65. Honestly, aside from wanting to see the QX65 use bigger wheels to match the wow factor of the original FX, I have no notes on the design.
Luxury, not near-luxury
The interior of the original FX was unique for its time, pulling major design elements from the G35 coupe, with aluminum pedals to go along with a sporty three-spoke steering wheel and sporty looking orange-illuminated gauges. The QX65 doesn’t have a modern G coupe to lean on for inspiration, but as with recent Infiniti products, the interior is both attractive and well sorted.
This goes especially so in Autograph trim, finished in red leather. When you first open the door your eyes immediately gravitate to the quilted red seat leather with an embossed “Autograph” across the back. The white stitching and contrasting black backside of the seats ensure you aren’t overstimulated with red, and to cap it off, the headrests feature prominent Klipsch speaker grilles. The door panels have just the right amount of red, and finish with an integrated Klipsch speaker grille at the end of the armrest, to match what you see on those headrests.
The dash is clean, with a thin-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel hiding a 12.3” integrated digital gauge cluster to go along with another 12.3” infotainment screen that sits atop another sprinkle of quilted red leather and some black wood trim for added contrast. Below all that is a (ugh) piano black panel that houses haptic buttons for both the HVAC and infotainment, similar to the QX60. I love that they are there, but hate that it’s a fingerprint magnet haptic panel. If you absolutely hate fingerprint smudges, there’s a rotary knob you can use to interact with most all function just below the chunky shifter.
Tech forward
Just a few years ago, Infiniti was back of the pack when it came to tech, but recent products have turned that around. The two aforementioned screens are responsive and sharp, if not class leading. There’s Google built-in but thankfully unlike some competitors (Cadillac cough cough) wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain, along with four modern USB-C ports. You also get wireless phone charging, but get this, it’s Qi2 certified, meaning it has magnets to lock your compatible phones into place to secure and optimize charging at up to 15 watts. It’s a big quality of life upgrade, and the first implementation of Qi2 I’ve seen.
All trims feature a Klipsch audio system; lower trims get a 16-speaker, 600 watt system, whereas the Autograph trim ups the ante with a 20 speaker, 1,200 watt Klipsch Reference Premiere system. I didn’t get a chance to test the audio system, but the one on the QX80 was good-not-great, although that was a first effort for Klipsch in the automotive audio game, so hopefully this latest iteration takes that another step forward.
The headrest speakers aren’t just for show. They allow for Individual Audio, which uses the headrest speakers to allow the driver to hear navigation instructions or a phone call, whereas the rest of the passengers can continue partying on. This system works wonders and is another one of those real-world quality of life upgrades.
For a luxury crossover, you can expect standard safety features like pre-collision warning, blindspot monitoring, lane departure, high beam assist and a base version of Infiniti’s ProPilot Assist. Moving up the trim level and adding the tech package nets you a 360 degree around view camera, a smart rear view mirror and ProPilot 2.1 which allows for semi-autonomous highway driving.
No, there’s no V8
That era is over, but you do get a more efficient 2.0-Litre variable compression turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 268 horsepower and 286-lb ft of torque; much lower than the original FX45, but on par with the first FX35. I asked about rumours of the 3.5L twin-turbo V6 making its way into this chassis but was met with a smirk. Take that as you will, but in a world where a Nissan Armada Nismo exists, I’ll keep my glass half full.
Although the power figures match the less sporty QX60, the 4-cylinder engine and 9-speed auto are both tuned for a sportier response overall, so expect it to feel livelier than anything you’ve driven this engine in. Power is routed to all four wheels via Infiniti’s standard intelligent all-wheel-drive. I’m eager to see how much more athletic the overall QX65 package feels as compared to the QX60.
The 2027 Infiniti QX65 is Infiniti slowly getting back to its athletic luxury roots, and if its priced right (TBD), it could mark another step in the right direction for Infiniti.
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Staff Writer
Imran is a true enthusiast who you'll find at shows, local meets, Sunday drives or the track. He appreciates the variety the car industry has to offer, having owned over a dozen cars from different manufacturers. Imran is grateful to own one of his childhood poster cars and enjoys inspiring the next generation. When Imran is not behind wheel he is found playing basketball or spending time with family.
Current Toys: '13 Boxster S 6MT, '24 Integra Type S, '08 328xi
