I Drove the 2027 Infiniti QX65 Autograph. It Isn't the Bionic Cheetah I Hoped ForAutoblogAmos KwonWed, September 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Infiniti is now like the Chrysler of 2021. They only sell three models: the QX80 flagship, the QX60 three-row midsize, and the QX65 coupe-like SUV. Granted, Chrysler's Pacifica, Voyager, and 300 weren't in the same segments back then as Infiniti is in 2026, but you get the idea. Three models isn't exactly an expansive lineup, especially when its Nissan parent company sells ten different models. The QX65 is supposed to inject some excitement into the brand with its rakish good looks, especially now that it doesn't have a single coupe or sedan.The Infiniti QX65 is designed to be the spiritual successor and visual tribute to the iconic early-2000s Infiniti FX35/45. That SUV's "Bionic Cheetah" design was meant to evoke a pouncing big cat via its long hood, aggressive stance, and sloping roofline. It helped give rise to the performance SUV segment, and a second-gen FX in 2013 was later renamed the QX70, which ended its run in 2017. The QX65 hopes to recapture the magic, but a lot has changed in a quarter of a century, in both good and bad ways. The QX65 revives some of that visual drama, but it does not quite capture the same singular attitude. My tester was a top trim 2027 QX65 Autograph with a base price of $63,285. With upgraded two-tone paint and the $1,595 destination charge, the total price came to $65,860.Exterior & Interior Styling – 8.5/10If you put the QX65 next to its ancestor, the FX, there are some similarities but perhaps not all the right ones. The aggressive and upright front end is there, and the lattice-work black grille is stunning. I'm hoping the larger QX80 gets the same grille come facelift time. The QX65's front fascia has the similar thin lighting elements and hood sculpting as the FX, giving it menace. When it comes to big maws and expansive grilles, the QX65 is one of the better ones out there. The full-width taillight with the protruiding notched segments is original and quite attractive, as well.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementIt's when you get to the profile view that things get muddled. The long hood is gone. No more V8 like the FX45. Not even the FX35's V6. The transversely mounted turbo four saves space but ruins the cab-rearward look. The greenhouse is bigger, too. It's a modern and elegant crossover, rather than a mean-looking performance SUV. Although the fastback styling adds drama, the overall shape doesn't quite capture the original Bionic Cheetah look, instead opting for a tamer look from the side.Autograph trim does add some refined styling with the 21″ machined-finish alloy wheels, satin-chrome window trim, and a black-painted roof that provides a nice contrast even against against the blue paint. Still, the design lacks the old FX's menace.The cabin is commensurate with the price tag. The perforated and quilted Stone Gray Semi Aniline leather seats look and feel upscale. The Autograph also gets Open Pore Ash Wood The Autograph's cabin feels warm and thoughtfully finished, particularly with its quilted semi-aniline leather-appointed seating, ash-wood trim, satin-chrome accents, and ambient lighting. The overall dashboard layout is handsome, while the broad horizontal presentation makes the cabin feel more open than the exterior profile might suggest.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe materials are not quite at the obsessive, every-surface-is-special level of a top-spec Genesis or a similarly priced German luxury SUV, but the cabin has presence. More importantly, it feels like Infiniti has made a real effort to distinguish the QX65 from a mainstream family crossover.Infotainment & Technology – 8/10The QX65 comes standard with a pair of 12.3-inch displays: one for the configurable digital instrument cluster and one for infotainment. Infiniti's current interface is a major improvement over some of the brand's older systems, and the inclusion of a physical control knob between the seats make it easier to use while driving. Google built-in gives the vehicle native Google Maps, Google Assistant, and access to compatible Google Play apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard across the trim line.The analog-style gauges look clean and are easy to read. The display is configurable, too. Autograph models also include a head-up display and a digital rearview mirror, both of which are useful features. The 20-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system is the real technological marvel in this set. It delivers 1,200 watts of power and goes well beyond the already substantial 16-speaker Klipsch system fitted to the QX65 Sport. It provides rich sound, great bass, and excellent midrange punch. I love the headrest speakers, which not only look great, but also provide ideal phone call clarity. They also prevent your occupants from hearing your phone calls on full blast.Every QX65 comes standard with the brand's ProPILOT Assist, which consist of Intelligent Cruise Control, Steering Assist, Stop-and-Hold, and Traffic Monitoring. You can upgrade the Autograph trim with the optional Technology Package, which adds ProPILOT Assist 2.1 with radar navigation for hands-free highway driving on mapped roads. My tester wasn't upgraded, but the standard ProPILOT Assist works very well.Thinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.Comfort, Space, and Usability – 8.5/10AdvertisementAdvertisementThe QX65 Autograph's interior is comfortable and well-appointed. Broad, comfy front seats with heat, ventilation, and massage are great for long trips. The QX65 loses the third row in a sacrifice for the raked rear glass. Row two provides 35.7 inches of legroom, less than competitors like the BMW X3 and the Genesis GV70. It's still good for adults, and the seats have good cushioning and support. Even the middle position isn't a bad place to sit. The coupe-like QX65 offers a sportier look at the expense of passenger capacity, but the two rows provide solid accommodations.View the 1 images of this gallery on the original articleIn terms of cargo capacity, the QX65 has 35.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 67.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. Those are strong numbers for a luxury SUV with such an aggressively sloping roof, making the QX65 useful everyday errands. It can also tow 6,000 pounds, pretty impressive for a compact luxury crossover with a turbo-four under the hood. The QX65 is a very usable vehicle for those who don't need three rows.Driving Experience – 7.5/10It's hard to overstate the disappointment behind the wheel, not because it isn't competent but because its aggressive exterior is betrayed by the experience. I would be fine if the QX65 leaned more into a relaxing experience, but its attempt at sportiness is poor. 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque from the 2.0-liter variable-compression turbocharged four-cylinder is substantial, but the QX65 weighs 4,715 pounds, a lot of heft to move. The nine-speed automatic transmission has been tuned for faster upshifts downshifts, and the pedal response has been improved, but the result is lackluster.Under conservative driving habits, the QX65 is just fine, even quick in some situations. The turbo four provides usable torque, and the conventional nine-speed automatic is preferable to the CVT that helped undermine the prior QX55's driving experience. Highway cruising is smooth, as is normal suburban commuting. Push it, and it lags, taking a second to get going. Sport mode is overly aggressive, and the piped in engine sounds exhibit unnaturally high rev sounds under constant cruising, a truly annoying aspect of the QX65. On top of that, 0-60 takes eight seconds, not exactly rapid off the line.AdvertisementAdvertisementSteering is light and accurate, but there's not much feedback coming through the wheel, nor is there tautness in the handling. There's ample body roll, and the QX65 feels top heavy. Its ride is comfy, providing a pleasant experience over broken pavement. It's more cruiser than razor, preventing the QX65 from delivering the connected, playful handling that made the FX memorable. The QX65 corners with competence, but it fails to deliver a driving experience that approaches the original.Final Verdict – 8/10The 2027 Infiniti QX65 Autograph is a stylish and thoughtfully executed luxury crossover. But the QX65's connection to the FX is weak, at best. It looks like it could be something rewarding for the driver, but it's far less athletic and engaging than its appearance communicates. The original Bionic Cheetah was unforgettable because it pushed the envelope of what an SUV could be. The QX65 is more mature, more comfortable, and probably more approachable for the everday car buyer. It is not, however, as thrilling.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.