After a Week of Driving the 2027 Infiniti QX65, Here Are Three Things I Hated About ItAutoblogAmos KwonFri, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Modern luxury crossovers are a mixed bunch. Some, like the Lexus RX, are so incredibly competent but not exactly thrilling. Others, like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, are fun and engaging behind the wheel but poorly appointed and lack creature comforts associated with the segment. The Infiniti QX65 wants to do both and seems to try pretty hard as it hopes to be the sporty, racy model in the brand's ever-shrinking lineup.InfinitiI got to drive the all-new 2027 QX65 in top Autograph trim for a week. Given its visual connection with the original 2003 FX35/45, my hopes that it could deliver the kind of excitement Infiniti needs weren't totally unfounded. Its also tuned to be sportier. The $65k final price tag isn't cheap. It's up there with more powerful competitors, namely the BMW X3 M50 xDrive and the Genesis GV70 3.3T Sport Advanced AWD, both with twin turbo six-cylinder engines that easily outgun the 268-hp QX65. After a week behind the wheel of the new Infiniti model, here's everything I hated about it.The Profile View Lacks AggressivenessInfinitiThe QX65 is supposed to be the racier-looking version of the more capacious three-row QX60. When placed next to the more conservative sibling, the QX65 is definitely the better-looking of the two. The front and rear fascias are stunning. It's the profile view that doesn't seem quite right. It's not unattractive, per se, but it doesn't seem to fit with the front and back. It's not the rakish roofline that's the problem. That's expected of the coupe SUV segment. It has to do with the framing of the windows and the window trim.InfinitiThe satin chrome trim around the window gives the D-pillar a flowing line. It's more of an elegant floating roof style than a fastback coupe SUV look. If you look at the D-pillar on other models like the Genesis GV80 Coupe and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, it looks more aggressive there because the window trim doesn't taper into the back. The styling elements found on those models make their back ends look thicker, more substantial, and planted. The QX65's roof styling, combined with the two-tone coloring, give it an almost helmet-like look that's inconsistent with the aggressiveness of the front and rear. I'm just not a big fan.Thinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.The Climate Control and Audio Control Panel is a Smudge MagnetAmos KwonAdvertisementAdvertisementThe QX65's climate control panel is attractive, and it's situated at just the right height for easy access by the driver and front passenger. Thankfully, it also has two big physical temp knobs with highly legible digital displays. Press the left one for automatic control and press the right one to sync the passenger side with the driver. Easy enough. There's even an audio knob in the upper left, easily reachable by thed driver. The rest of the controls are haptic feedback behind a big panel made out of my least favorite material, piano black.Amos KwonThe panel looks good enough (when it's clean). For the most part, it works decently enough because the icons/controls are well-spaced. The problem is that, aside from the steering wheel, it's the highest touch surface in the vehicle and that means it's a mess most of the time. Dust, smudges, fingerprints, and are on full display here, and it makes the panel look dirty. Keeping a microfiber cloth in the car is a must, but once you wipe it down, it won't stay clean for very long.The Piped In Engine Sounds Grate on the SensesAmos KwonThe QX65 wouldn't be the first vehicle that pipes in engine noises, but it's not the best at it. The QX65 uses an Active Sound Enhancement system that channels synthetic engine noise through the cabin speakers in an effort to make the 2.0-liter four-cylinder sound like a V6. The result, however, is grating. It's especially noticeable in Sport mode where the artifical engine sounds remain high even in regular driving, communicating higher engine revs and greater speed than the vehicle is delivering.Amos KwonI understand what Infiniti is trying to do here, but the result is annoying and misleading. The sound isn't even a good one. It's not throaty or deep but rather high-pitched. The fact that it also doesn't match the behavior of the car worsens matters. Problems are further exacerbated by the lackluster performance delivered by the 268-hp engine that's tasked to move over 4,700 pounds of mass.Final ThoughtsInfiniti didn't build a revived FX but rather a tame successor in the QX65. Overall, it's a comfortable and attractive luxury SUV, especially in Autograph trim with all of its bells and whistles. The QX65 has some great styling elements but the profile doesn't match the fascias. The cabin's piano black control panel sullies the interior with easy smudging. The piped in engine sounds detract from an otherwise pleasant ride. These three things got on my nerves virtually every time I got in the QX65, but they might not be as annoying for others. Let's hope the brand fixes these things come time for a refresh.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.