Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder and 2026 Infiniti QX60 are similar enough underneath the skin that comparing them both almost feels like interviewing two twin siblings applying for the same job. One may have shown up wearing a sharp suit, spoken clearly, and had an Ivy League diploma, whereas the other one arrived with a more honest, hard-working, blue-collar attitude. But ultimately, regardless of how they each present themselves on the surface, the real question remains: which one should you hire as your everyday family hauler?The Infiniti QX60 is, generally speaking, the more premium, luxury-branded relative of the Nissan Pathfinder. It sits above it in brand hierarchy, price, positioning, and showroom atmosphere. It wears the more prestigious badge, gets more distinctive styling, and makes a reasonably convincing first impression as something sharper and more upscale than the family-oriented Nissan. But after driving both for a week each around British Columbia, including highway and mountain-road time in each, I came away with an unexpected preference: I would rather have the Pathfinder.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe QX60 Sport is handsome, well-equipped, reasonably refined, and better to drive than some might expect. But the Pathfinder Platinum feels like the more coherent product overall. It's honest about simply being a comfortable family SUV, uses a smoother, naturally aspirated V6, costs much less, and somehow feels less compromised precisely because it doesn't try so hard to assert itself as a status symbol.2026 Infiniti QX60 SportCole AttishaSpecs And Pricing ComparedSpecification2026 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD2026 Infiniti QX60 Sport AWDEngine3.5L naturally aspirated V62.0L VC-Turbo inline-fourHorsepower284 hp268 hpTorque259 lb-ft286 lb-ftTransmission9-speed automatic9-speed automaticDrivetrainIntelligent 4x4Intelligent AWDFuel economy20/25/22 mpg city/highway/combined21/27/24 mpg city/highway/combinedRecommended fuelRegular unleadedPremium unleadedMax towingUp to 6,000 lbUp to 6,000 lbU.S. starting price, base trim$39,990 (SV 2WD)$51,890 (Pure FWD)U.S. starting price, tested-equivalent trim$51,790 before destination$62,390 before destinationCanadian as-tested price$63,898 CAD$72,440 CADThinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.2026 Nissan Pathfinder V6NissanThe Nissan's V6 Makes A Better Case Than Infiniti's Turbo-FourThe powertrain difference between the two SUVs is probably the most significant. The QX60's 2.0-litre VC-Turbo four-cylinder is mechanically intriguing, and it punches out a bit more torque than the Pathfinder's V6. It's also reasonably efficient, but unlike the Pathfinder's V6, which gets marginally fewer miles per gallon, the Infiniti's VC-Turbo mill requires premium fuel. In a three-row luxury SUV, however, a "mechanically complex" powertrain doesn't necessarily equate to a satisfying experience. The Infiniti's powertrain feels mostly adequate but ultimately uninspiring. There's a pause before the turbo wakes up, followed by a capable but forgettable surge. It moves the QX60 around well enough, but it never feels special, and in a Sport-badged luxury SUV, that presents a problem.The Pathfinder's 3.5-litre V6 isn't thrilling either, but it is smoother, simpler, and more naturally suited to the vehicle's size. It needs revs when asked to pass on mountain roads, and my observed fuel economy of 13.1 L/100 km (about 18 mpg) wasn't exactly flattering. But the V6 and 9-speed automatic combination feels honest, robust, and more readily powerful. It doesn't aim to be cutting-edge—it just works, and it works with a refinement that suits a family SUV better than the Infiniti's turbo-four suits a luxury one. The irony is difficult to miss: the more mainstream Nissan has a more premium-feeling powertrain.2026 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WDCole AttishaThat sense of honesty continues through the way each vehicle drives. The QX60 Sport is surprisingly composed on a winding highway. Its chassis is better than its powertrain, with responsive steering, well-contained body motion, and enough agility to make it feel less cumbersome than its size suggests. On the Sea-to-Sky Highway, it encouraged more confidence than I expected from a three-row Infiniti crossover.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Pathfinder is less eager, but not unpleasant. Its steering is connected enough, Sport mode makes the transmission feel more alert, and on longer road trips, it feels relaxed, stable, and easy to trust. It doesn't pretend to be athletic; it feels like a big family SUV that's been sorted aptly for the job. If this were purely a handling contest, the Infiniti would make a stronger case. But family SUVs aren't judged by how composed they remain around corners. The Pathfinder's smoother powertrain and calmer personality make it more pleasant in the situations where these vehicles will realistically spend most of their lives.Shopping for a new car? Click here to get a great deal on your next vehicle. Powered by Carvana, no haggle pricing, 100% online.2026 Infiniti QX60 SportCole AttishaInterior And Tech: The Pathfinder Punches Up, While The QX60 Doesn't Quite Punch High EnoughThe QX60 Sport has clear luxury-brand advantages the moment you step inside. Its darker cabin treatment, Dusk Blue TailorFit seating, black headliner, tri-zone climate control, Klipsch audio, and more distinctive overall presentation help it feel more dramatic than the Pathfinder. It's not a cheap-feeling cabin, and in isolation, it makes a decent first impression. The issue is that it really doesn't feel special enough for the money it asks. At more than $62,000 before destination in the U.S. and over $72,000 as tested in Canada, the QX60 asks to be judged against Acura, Lexus, Genesis, and even loaded mainstream three-row SUVs like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, which now feel shockingly upscale. In that context, the Infiniti doesn't consistently deliver the extra sense of occasion it needs.2026 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WDNissanThe Pathfinder, especially in Platinum trim, does quite the opposite: it overdelivers. Its semi-aniline leather-appointed seats with quilting, wood-tone trim, panoramic moonroof, heated rear seats, climate-controlled front seats, and handsome cabin presentation make it feel genuinely premium for a Nissan. It doesn't pretend to be a luxury SUV, which is exactly why its premium touches feel more rewarding. The tech experience also favoured Nissan during my time with both. The Pathfinder's 2026 refresh brought a crisp 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a sharp digital instrument cluster, and a useful Around View camera system. It all worked properly and stayed out of my way.The QX60 also has dual 12.3-inch displays, Google Built-In, ProPilot Assist, and a 3D Around View Monitor. During my use, the InTouch interface felt sluggish and inconsistent, and Apple CarPlay over Wi-Fi refused to work properly during my test week. That sort of thing is frustrating in any vehicle. In a luxury SUV trying to justify itself over its Nissan relative, it's much harder to forgive.2026 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum AWDCole AttishaPracticality And Value: The Pathfinder Understood The AssignmentBoth of these SUVs can tow up to 6,000 pounds. Both offer three-row seating. Both are comfortable family haulers with plenty of space for normal use. The difference is that the Pathfinder feels as if it were engineered around that identity, while the QX60 feels as if it's trying to add luxury theatre to the same basic formula without fully committing.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Pathfinder also has a useful flexibility advantage because it's available in seven- or eight-passenger configurations depending on trim. My Platinum tester had captain's chairs, creating a comfortable seven-seat layout, but the option of a bench in other versions matters for families who need maximum seating. The QX60 Sport seats seven and has comfortable second-row captain's chairs, but it doesn't feel meaningfully more useful than the Nissan. It feels richer in some ways, sharper in others, and more stylish from the curb, but it doesn't separate itself enough from the Pathfinder where it matters most.The Infiniti QX60 Sport is better-looking than previous QX60s, more distinctive than the Pathfinder, and slightly more engaging through corners. If the badge, styling, sportier presentation, and Infiniti ownership experience matter to you, there's still a case for it. But the Pathfinder Platinum gives you a smoother engine, comparable towing capacity, a genuinely premium-feeling interior, and a much lower price. It feels like a mainstream SUV punching above its class, while the QX60 feels like a luxury SUV struggling to punch at the level its badge and price imply.2026 Infiniti QX60 SportCole AttishaFinal Thoughts: The QX60 Overpromises, The Pathfinder OverdeliversThe 2026 Infiniti QX60 Sport isn't a bad SUV. It's handsome, composed, well-equipped, and more distinctive than the Pathfinder in more superficial luxury-crossover ways. If the badge, flashier styling, and Infiniti ownership experience matter most, it still makes a worthwhile case. But the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum makes a stronger one, because it feels more comfortable in its own skin. It doesn't need to pretend to be sporty, prestigious, or even especially rugged. It simply works as a smooth, handsome, practical three-row family SUV with a surprisingly premium cabin, a better-feeling powertrain, and a much lower price tag.The QX60 is supposed to be the richer, more desirable version of this shared family formula. Instead, the Pathfinder feels like the version that better understands its mission. It's more honest, more useful, more mechanically satisfying, and, to me, easier to recommend. Choose the QX60 Sport if you want the badge, the look, the slightly sharper road manners, and the more distinctive luxury-brand presentation. Choose the Pathfinder Platinum if you want better value, a smoother engine, stronger everyday practicality, and a vehicle that feels less burdened by what it's trying to prove. The Infiniti might be the sibling in the sharper suit, but the Nissan feels like the better fit for the role.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
+31 others
