By Asian Journal Auto Editor

The 2019 QX60 is a sleek, three-row premium crossover utility vehicle that offers a good combination of luxury and versatility. The revised QX60 carries a modern look with a new grille, bi-xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lights and fog lights, integrated LED turn signals in the rearview mirrors, and new front and rear fascias. There are few improvements from the 2017 model I last tested. Horsepower is up 30, along with torque, there are suspension tweaks and upgraded safety. A plethora of electronic driving comfort, technology and luxury aids are now standard.

The 2019 Infiniti QX60 comes well-equipped at a base price of $48,695. Standard equipment is luxurious and generous with: Intelligent all-wheel drive, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery with heated power-adjustable front seats intelligent key with push-button start, heated leather wrapped steering wheel, seven-inch colour display with rear-view monitor, automatic HID headlights, cruise control, high spec audio system, power tailgate and rear privacy glass. The QX60 is available as a V6 powered CUV, with a 295-horsepower 3.5L V6 mated to a CVT transmission, and comes standard with Infiniti’s ‘intelligent’ all-wheel drive.

Our QX60 AWD tester featured a number or optional packages including; The Essential Package ($5,000) with leather appointed seats, remote engine start, Infiniti Touch navigation, Infiniti’s AroundView monitor, with object detection and sonar system, upgraded Bose 13-speaker, remote engine start and other features. Also added was the PROACTIVE Package ($4800) with intelligent cruise control, backup collision warning, Distance Control, Front and rear sonar, Active lane departure, and Blind spot intervention.

The SENSORY Package, ($4,000) meanwhile features: 20 Inch spoke wheels, maple wood accents, Bose cabin surround speaker twin sunroofs with power shade, advanced climate control and “Hourglass quilted heated rear and front quilted seats and motion activated liftgate. Total price of the extra OPTIONS came to a whopping $14,750. Some consideration is the no charge THEATRE Package offers: dual 8-inch monitors, with wireless headphones USB, 12V and 120v power outlets.

Inside, the QX60 looks suitably luxurious and well designed with sharp leather seats and nice textures, materials and tight fitting panels. Soft-touch materials abound for driver and passengers, and the overall ambience is very good. The sumptuous quilted seats are too die for and offer superb comfort. The dash and console feature plenty of technology accessed by a host of buttons and switches. The interior is extremely versatile with full sliding second-row seats that allow easy access to the third row. The second row splits 60/40, slides, reclines, and can be tilted forward for third-row access even with a child seat in place, the third row seat is surprisingly roomy, but still only for kids. With the seats folded there’s up to 2,166 L of available cargo space compared to 447 L of cargo space when all seats are upright lift-over height for the cargo area, accessed via a standard power rear liftgate that opens to reveal 16 cubic feet of luggage space with all seven seats in place. Meanwhile, the 50/50 split-folding third row can be quickly and easily folded flat to elongate the cargo area.

On the road, the QX60’s V6 Horsepower is now rated at a robust 295, up 30hp from the 2017 version I last tested, while torque is up 22 To a healthy 270 lb-ft. The continuously variable automatic transmission is a smooth unit that offers step like shifts under acceleration and mutes the CVT’s engine droning. There is also a handy manual mode gives the driver seven preset ratios, while a dial on the center-console tunnel offers four driving modes: Standard, Sport, Snow, and Eco. Sport offers more throttle response. While Standard is a good all round driving mode. Suspension tweaks have improved the crossover’s handling somewhat. Body roll is less evident, and the QX60 takes corners getter, still with its light steering and rather soft ride, the QX60 is more of comfortable cruiser, that a sporty handling SUV.

Nothing much to gripe about, Canada Energuide fuel economy ratings are 12.5/9.0 L/100 km city/hwy. In closing there is much to like about the QX60. It is luxurious, comfortable, and roomy, and an excellent safety orientated family hauler. Downsides are few; buyers need to weigh up the premium price it commands when you option it out. The QX60 is very impressive and nice to drive all day long. Highly recommended.

2019 Infiniti QX60 AWD priced from $48,695 Price as tested with options – including freight and PDE, $65,490.