Infiniti QX60: From the JX35 to the Second-Generation Three-Row SUV

The Infiniti QX60 is a mid-size, three-row luxury crossover from Nissan's Infiniti division. It was called the JX until the 2014 model year, and it rides on an elongated Nissan Murano platform that the Nissan Pathfinder also uses. It was the first three-row crossover Infiniti released, and the first generation was built only for left-hand-drive markets.

Why was the JX renamed the QX60?

Infiniti changed its naming system for 2014. Cars began with Q and SUVs began with QX, so the JX became the QX60. The old numbers referred to engine size, as in the 35 of a 3.5-litre engine, but the new 60 mostly reflects a model's place in the lineup, with larger numbers generally meaning more expensive vehicles.

A stretched Murano platform became Infiniti's first three-row crossover, and a second generation later traded its CVT for a 9-speed automatic.

How did the first-generation QX60 come about?

Design work was completed through 2009 under Naoyuki Ohkoshi, working under Shiro Nakamura. Infiniti first showed the concept at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and the production model was unveiled at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The JX35 was announced in April 2012 as a 2013 model.

The car was considered for Australia, but the numbers for right-hand-drive re-engineering and local approval did not add up. Its Pathfinder sibling was sold there, so the QX60 remained a left-hand-drive product. In 2012 Nissan also confirmed that the Pathfinder would share the platform for the 2013 model year.

What engines did the QX60 use?

The original engine was a 3.5-litre VQ35DE V6 producing 265 hp (198 kW) and 248 lb ft (336 Nm), paired with a continuously variable transmission. For 2017 the V6 was updated with direct injection and rose to 295 hp (220 kW) with 270 lb ft (366 Nm) of torque.

Performance was modest by the standards of the class. The QX60 took 8.3 seconds to reach 60 mph (97 km/h), and its safety equipment included four-channel ABS with ventilated discs and automatic high-intensity discharge headlights.

How did the hybrid QX60 work?

The hybrid arrived in November 2013 for the 2014 model year. It combined a supercharged 2.5-litre twin-cam four-cylinder, rated at 230 hp (170 kW), with an electric motor that added 15 kW (20 hp). The battery was a 0.6 kWh lithium-ion pack located under the third-row seat, and the combined output was 250 hp (186 kW).

The hybrid and the gasoline QX60 were the first Infiniti North American models to adopt Nissan's CVT. The hybrid was dropped in mid-2017, and poor sales kept it out of the 2018 range.

What changed in the 2014 and 2016 model years?

The 2014 update brought an 8-inch touchscreen, a navigation system with AroundView Monitor, a USB port in the centre console and Forward Collision Warning. The rear-view camera became standard, and Bose speakers with surround sound were added to the audio system.

The 2016 refresh gave the QX60 new front and rear fascias, restyled headlights and taillights, and LED daytime running lights on US cars. Three USB ports were added to non-hybrid models, and the Deluxe Technology Package became standard on the Deluxe Touring trim. A Tri-Pane panoramic moonroof came with that package, along with power-folding third-row seats on non-hybrid cars.

What did the 2017 to 2020 updates add?

For 2017 the QX60 gained the direct-injected 295 hp V6, and the Deluxe Technology Package picked up a motion-activated liftgate and high beam assist. The 2017 update also offered bigger rear entertainment headrest screens on models with that system.

The 2019 model year added a Limited Edition trim and a new exterior paint colour, and the 2019.5 mid-year update made LED headlamps standard on every trim. For 2020 the range was Pure, Pure AWD, Luxe and Luxe AWD. The Edition 30 package was offered on the Luxe and Luxe AWD cars with the Essential Package.

Were there safety recalls on the QX60?

Yes. An October 2013 recall covered antilock brake software on Pathfinder and JX35 units built between September 2011 and September 2013. A February 2017 recall affected 205 hybrid units sold in China, whose fuel tanks had parts thinner than standard.

The largest recall came in November 2019, when Nissan recalled 400,000 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles, including certain 2017 to 2019 QX60s. A faulty pump seal could wear prematurely and leak brake fluid, creating a fire risk if the ABS warning light was ignored. Nissan had no remedy at first and told owners to park away from garages, buildings and other vehicles as soon as the light came on.

How did the second-generation QX60 change?

The second generation, code L51, was unveiled on 23 June 2021. It was developed alongside the R53 Nissan Pathfinder, which debuted in February 2021, and it moved from a continuously variable transmission to a 9-speed ZF automatic. Front-wheel drive became standard, with an updated all-wheel drive system available as an option.

The engine was the 3.5-litre VQ35DD V6, tuned slightly higher for Infiniti, and it made 295 hp (299 PS; 220 kW) with 270 lb ft (366 Nm). Towing rose to 6,000 lb (2,722 kg), about 20 percent more than before, with help from a stronger transmission cooler, a built-in hitch receiver and trailer stability tuning.

The second generation is a seven-seater with a two-position rear bench that leaves room for a storage box in the middle. Buyers could also choose an optional pair of captain's chairs in the second row.

China received a different version. It used a turbocharged four-cylinder, the KR20DDET, because the V6 could not meet the country's emissions standards. In July 2024 Nissan announced that the global V6 would be replaced by the same turbocharged four used in China and in the Pathfinder for 2025, citing tougher emissions and fuel economy rules.

What did the 2025 facelift change?

The facelift was unveiled on 19 May 2025 for the 2026 model year. It brought a redesigned front fascia with a 3D Infiniti logo that lights up, a welcoming light signature when the car is unlocked, new colours and new alloy wheel designs.

Inside, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster became standard on every trim. The infotainment system runs Google built-in, and a new Klipsch audio system was fitted. ProPILOT Assist 2.1 with hands-free driving arrived with the facelift as well.

The Sport model was introduced with the facelift, with a unique front fascia, a lower front bumper protector, gloss black 20-inch alloy wheels and Dusk Blue upholstery paired with a black-and-blue interior theme.

What are the QX60 specifications?