In terms of overall space, this is one of the roomier cabins in the midsize luxury SUV segment. The second and third rows both fold down, allowing lots of space for cargo when needed.

When all seats are up, the third row is best for kids, but still easy to access due to the versatile seating arrangement.

The QX60 is tailor-made for long road trips with the family, full of comfort and more than a dozen storage spaces for drinks and snacks. Running boards on the sides are an additional helpful option for entering and exiting the vehicle.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER

Some SUVs in this segment give you a choice of engines. But the QX60 limits it to just one: A 3.5-liter V6 boasting 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This powerplant is paired with a CVT automatic transmission which is quiet and effective.

You can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and the QX60 features

Hill Start Assist.

It’s not the most powerful SUV in the segment, but acceleration is still impressive (just over 7 seconds for 0 to 60) and overall the transmission is quite smooth. Add that the quiet and well-insulated cabin, and you have the makings of an overall enjoyable ride for the whole family.

Handling is strong and the QX60 is responsive to driver input. The brakes also do their job very effectively in all scenarios. But it’s worth noting that due to its suspension setup, the QX60 is not the most sporty SUV, though that’s understandable considering it’s going against heavyweights like the Audi Q7, Acura MDX, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90.

Also worth noting is that the QX60 is definitely a city vehicle, not something you want to take off-road. And if you plan to pull anything behind it, the towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

The 2019 QX60 features strong tech and safety features, but many are bundled into option packages. On the audio side, a Bose sound system with more than a dozen speakers is optional, but impressive.

The Infiniti InTouch 8-inch display offers voice recognition, a rearview monitor, Bluetooth for audio streaming and calls, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the vehicle features multiple USB ports.

In terms of safety, airbags are located throughout the vehicle, and seat belts feature pretensioners. Brake assist is included, along with forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, predictive forward collision warning, blind spot warning, anti-lock brakes, traction control, tire pressure monitoring, and a vehicle immobilizer system.

I found the QX60’s overall infotainment operation to be a bit complex compared to its luxury rivals. I prefer the center console dial approach offered by Audi and other luxury automakers to the jumble of buttons in the Infiniti. Voice controls also didn’t work as well as I had hoped in the QX60, and there was no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay compatibility.

Safety aids are excellent, though, and ahead of much of the luxury competition, and so is the AroundView camera system. This makes up somewhat for the downsides of the infotainment offerings.

The optional Proactive package ($3,400) features: Front pre-crash seat belts, Intelligent cruise control, backup collision intervention, lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot intervention, front and rear sonar sensors, high beam assist and auto side dimming mirrors.

For those who want the option of entertainment, the theater package ($2,150) features two 8-inch monitors on back of front headrests, plus wireless remote control and wireless headphones. It was easy to use and will come in especially handy with the kids on long trips.

The Essential package ($2,900) includes: Leather appointed seating, Infiniti InTouch navigation and services, SiriusXM Traffic+, AroundView monitor with moving object detection, and INFINITI Illuminated kick plates. You can also add WiFi and welcome lighting.

MPG

The official fuel mileage numbers on the 2019 QX60 are 20 city/27 highway/22 combined. In my testing, this was an accurate assessment, as I averaged just over 22 mpg. An Eco driving mode is offered to help fuel economy.

These numbers are among the best in class, and are very respectable for a vehicle this large.

PRICE
My test vehicle came in at $65,930, but was loaded with options and at the top of the range. Base price on the QX60 starts about $44K. There are only two trim levels, Pure and Luxe.

The Luxe model has a slightly higher starting price, but allows you to add a variety of packages to suit your needs in terms of looks and technology. As evidenced by my test vehicle’s final price, it can rise significantly when packages are added, but it still comes in at a lower price than some of its luxury SUV competitors.

BOTTOM LINE

While not the sportiest ride in the luxury SUV world, the 2019 Infiniti QX60 is among the most attractive, safest and best equipped to handle a large family on short and long trips. Even against heavyweights like Audi and BMW, it holds its own quite well.

---

AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page.

Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.