Infiniti QX60 vs Infiniti QX65: Style vs Substance?AutoblogNathan AdlenFri, September 25, 2026 at 10:52 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The first thing you notice when you park the 2027 Infiniti QX65 beside its older sibling, the QX60, is the roofline. The QX65 sweeps back into a delicately shaped rear end, while the QX60 stands tall and ready to carry a third row of passengers. One looks prepared for a night out. The other looks prepared to pick everyone up afterward.There's more to the QX65 than a new haircut. Its grille is larger and more aggressive, the front lighting has a different character, and the bodywork changes substantially as you move toward the rear. Viewed head-on by someone who doesn't spend an unhealthy amount of time looking at SUVs, the two might be easy to confuse. From the side, there's no mistaking them. The QX65 is a five-passenger, two-row crossover; the QX60 seats up to seven across three rows.INFINITIView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThis distinction matters more now that Infiniti's lineup has shrunk. The QX50 and QX55 are gone, leaving the QX60, QX65 and big, Armada-based QX80 to cover a wide range of buyers. The QX65 gives Infiniti something more expressive without requiring the brand to start from scratch. I'd say that's sensible, although "sensible" probably wasn't the word the designers had pinned to the studio wall.Same family, different wardrobeAt a recent event, I mentioned that the QX60 and QX65 share their basic underpinnings and many components. Someone from PR promptly corrected me and insisted they were unique. Well, yes, they have unique sheet metal and serve different purposes. They are still closely related vehicles. That isn't an insult. Sharing a foundation is one reason Infiniti can offer a distinctive-looking luxury crossover at a relatively approachable price.Cole AttishaView the 5 images of this gallery on the original articleThe QX65 is assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee, where the QX60 is also built. They share a 114.2-inch wheelbase, and the family resemblance is obvious around the front passenger compartment. Move forward to the hood and nose or back from the B-pillar, and the QX65 starts to establish its own identity. The result feels more substantial than a QX60 with its roof squashed down.AdvertisementAdvertisementUnder the hood, both 2027 models use Infiniti's 2.0-liter variable-compression turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 268 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque. Both pair it with a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard on the QX65, while the QX60 is available with front- or all-wheel drive. So if someone tells you the QX65 alone has a new engine, point them toward the QX60's spec sheet.The Nissan Pathfinder remains the interesting relative in this family because it uses a 3.5-liter V6. I understand why Infiniti might favor the turbo four's torque and efficiency, but I can't pretend I love its sound. When you ask the engine to work, it gets loud. Very loud. In a vehicle with this much effort devoted to making the cabin feel expensive, the powertrain occasionally barges into the conversation like an uncle who hasn't noticed everyone else has gone quiet.Related: Chinese Cars Could Capture 11% of U.S. Sales by 2038Torque steer is a bit of an issue on both if you go nuts with the accelerator when cornering. Sure, the AWD system kicks in rapidly, but there is no getting around the fact that they are not built for hardcore handling. Still, both handle well in fun driving situations, with the QX65 feeling slightly more athletic.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe nine-speed automatic is a welcome partner. More broadly, neither Infiniti needs a dramatic performance advantage over the other to justify its existence. The QX65 sells the look and a little more attitude; the QX60 gives you the extra seating and the more traditional SUV shape.The fastback problemI'll admit my bias: I'm usually no fan of fastback SUVs. They often seem like a styling exercise designed to remove useful space and rear visibility while convincing buyers that a sloping roof is somehow worth more money. If I want a practical family vehicle, I generally prefer one that looks willing to do practical family-vehicle things.InfinitiThe QX65 makes me reconsider, at least a little. Its profile is elegant, and Infiniti didn't leave the QX60 looking like the unfortunate sibling in an old family photo. Both are handsome vehicles. The QX65 simply has a bit more theater, especially at the rear, where the design comes together. I also appreciate that Infiniti gave its new crossover a stronger face rather than relying entirely on the roofline to do the work.20Cole AttishaAdvertisementAdvertisementView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleThere is a practical trade-off, but the numbers need context. The QX60 offers 14.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind its third row. The QX65 has 35.8 cubic feet behind its second row and 67.7 cubic feet with that row folded. Those aren't equivalent seating configurations, and the QX65's sloping rear still affects the shape of what you can load. If you routinely carry six or seven people, there is no clever way around the missing seats. If you normally carry four people and their luggage, the QX65 is hardly a tiny cargo hold wrapped in pretty sheet metal.Related: Dodge Brought Back Gas Engines to the Charger. How's the Model Doing Now?Inside, Infiniti has done an excellent job with both vehicles. The QX60 is no slouch, but the QX65 struck me as the more sophisticated space. Much of the design language is familiar; the materials and the way everything comes together make it feel properly lavish. It's a place I'd be happy to spend time, and at this price that should be a requirement, not a pleasant surprise.Cole AttishaView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleThe price is the surpriseThe 2027 QX65 starts at $53,990, while Infiniti currently lists the 2027 QX60 from $57,290. That means the rakish, supposedly sportier two-row model starts below its more useful three-row sibling. Automakers frequently charge extra for the privilege of getting less roof and fewer seats. Infiniti resisted the temptation, and I salute them for it. Many float around the $60,000 – $65,000 zone when somewhat equipped.InfinitiView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleFinal ThoughtsOf course, the right answer depends on what you actually need. If the third row gets regular use, buy the QX60. Its upright shape and additional seats are advantages you'll appreciate long after the novelty of a dramatic silhouette wears off. If you rarely need more than five seats and want an SUV that makes you look back at it after parking, the QX65 earns its place in the lineup.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor me, this isn't a contest with one loser. Infiniti has taken closely related hardware and built two vehicles with distinct personalities. I still wish the turbo four would lower its voice, but I like the pricing, the materials, and the way neither model makes the other feel obsolete. With the QX80 above them, Infiniti now has three SUVs covering three different moods. The QX60 brings the substance. The QX65 brings the style. Both show that Infiniti can still enter the luxury fight with a fist covered in velvet.Related: I Drove the 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed: The Sticker Price Is the Least Interesting Number. Here's My ReviewThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.