2027 Infiniti QX65 AWD First Testwilliam walker - MotorTrendElegant cabinHandsome exterior stylingRoomyUneven power deliveryBrakes are mutedSteering feels numbOn paper, the 2027 Infiniti QX65 makes a strong impression. Its design is attractive, its cabin is polished and elegant, and there's plenty of room inside: We fit three large checked bags and two carry-ons behind the rear seats. But once you start driving, the experience isn't quite so luxurious. In addition, the QX65 aspires to be sporty and dynamic, yet our time on the road and at the test track revealed otherwise. It has plenty going for it, but buyers who care about the driving experience may come away disappointed.The GoodStep inside the QX65, and its attractive design and high-quality materials make a strong first impression. In the range-topping Autograph model we tested, the quilted leather covering the dashboard and seats feels soft and premium, while the surfaces where occupants are likely to rest their arms and legs are generously padded. More important, the cabin establishes a fresh identity for Infiniti, with a look and feel that's distinctive.william walker - MotorTrendAnd there are plenty of other highlights inside. The haptic climate controls are cleanly arranged and well-spaced, and only the speakers on the driver's headrests play navigation directions to avoid disturbing other occupants. The digital instrument cluster offers several personalization options, although it can't display a full-screen navigation map as some rivals can. Overall, Infiniti's designers clearly paid close attention to the details, and their efforts are apparent from the moment you open the door.AdvertisementAdvertisementAlthough its name suggests the QX65 sits above the three-row QX60, this coupe SUV has only two rows and now effectively serves as Infiniti's entry-level model. Its cavernous cabin and cargo area should appeal to parents and empty nesters alike. We happened to help a family member move while we tested the QX65, and the number of boxes it swallowed with the rear seats folded was impressive. Even with the seats upright, there's plenty of cargo space, and rear-seat passengers enjoy generous legroom. Most adults should fit comfortably, though taller occupants may find headroom limited by the sloping roofline.One of our favorite features in the 2027 Infiniti QX65 was its new magnetic wireless charger, which securely aligns the phone for faster charging. The pad is slightly raised to improve airflow and help prevent overheating, and during our 12-minute commute, our phone's battery climbed from 18 to 32 percent—an impressive gain for an in-vehicle wireless charger. We often complain that wireless charging pads make our phones too hot or charge too slowly, but the QX65's worked as we expect one should.william walker - MotorTrendThe BadOur problems with the QX65 began the moment we tried to connect wireless Apple CarPlay. On our first attempt, the phone paired via Bluetooth, but we couldn't get CarPlay to launch. Restarting our iPhone didn't help. The system connected to CarPlay automatically the following morning, but during our week with the QX65, it failed to work roughly one-third of the time. We encountered the same issue during our First Drive in April.Another area we'd like to see improved is the powertrain. The QX65 uses Nissan's variable-compression VC-Turbo engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 268 hp and 286 lb-ft of torque. This engine family has faced significant problems, with Nissan recalling more than 440,000 vehicles in the U.S. equipped with certain 1.5- and 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engines because of potential bearing defects. We've also criticized the 2.0-liter engine in previous applications, particularly when paired with a continuously variable transmission. Although the QX65 uses a nine-speed automatic instead, its power delivery still feels uneven and unpredictable.AdvertisementAdvertisementInfiniti tuned the QX65 to feel sporty, but from behind the wheel, its responses are muted and sluggish. Power delivery was frustratingly nonlinear; initial acceleration is lethargic, prompting us to press the accelerator farther, only for the engine to deliver more power than expected and force us to back off. The engine and transmission rarely seem to work in harmony, with the nine-speed automatic taking too long to select a gear and send power to the wheels.william walker - MotorTrendThe QX65 needed 8.1 seconds to reach 60 mph in our testing, which is an eternity in this segment. Compare that with the Audi Q8, one of the QX65's main competitors, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. At the track, we noticed the same lack of response from the Infiniti's engine. Even with the accelerator pinned, power was slow to reach the wheels as the transmission took its time downshifting. Once at cruising speed, at least, the QX65 settles down. The cabin is quiet and the ride smooth.We also weren't happy with the brake-pedal feel. The brakes engage predictably, but feedback through the pedal is minimal, and we frequently found ourselves pressing farther than expected in search of more stopping power.The QX65 occupies a somewhat unusual position among its competitors. Midsize coupe SUVs aren't the most popular vehicles, but the segment is well populated, with the Genesis GV80 Coupe, Audi Q8, BMW X6, and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe among its closest rivals. Each offers a six- or eight-cylinder engine and considerably more power than the Infiniti. Although we consider the QX65 a competitor to these luxury midsize SUVs, Infiniti's decision to use a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder puts it at a disadvantage before any comparison even begins.william walker - MotorTrendIs It Worth It?Most 2027 Infiniti QX65 buyers will be pleased with its handsome exterior and upscale cabin, and some may never notice the powertrain's shortcomings. But after a week behind the wheel, we found several areas in need of improvement. Smoother power delivery and stronger acceleration would make the QX65 considerably more satisfying to drive, and Infiniti needs to resolve the persistent Apple CarPlay connectivity problem. The QX65 gets much of the luxury-SUV formula right, but its driving experience prevents it from feeling fully special.AdvertisementAdvertisementFollowing the redesigned QX80, the QX65 is the second model to embody Infiniti's attempted renaissance. Its striking design, elegant cabin, and generous interior space give that comeback momentum, but the VC-Turbo engine family's troubled history—and this application's disappointing performance—make us wish Infiniti had chosen a different powertrain for its midsize coupe SUV. Although its competitors have higher base prices, our range-topping QX65 Autograph cost $71,805, and that figure brings serious expectations. The QX65 looks convincing parked at the curb; it's considerably less persuasive once it pulls away.Photo credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrend