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Infiniti JX35

Behind the Wheel of a 2014 Infiniti QX60 AWD

May 9, 2014 by admin 6 Comments

2014 Infiniti QX60
The current Infiniti QX60 is the former JX35.

Infiniti has changed its model naming convention by assigning a “Q” or a “QX” to precede the two-digit name for every vehicle that it sells. The “Q” precedes every car model, the “QX” designation is for its utility vehicles. Thus, a 2013 G Coupe is now a 2014 Q60 and a 2013 JX35 is now a 2014 QX60.

Got that?

Well, apparently Infiniti customers do or at least they do not care: through April 2014, year-to-date brand sales are up 14.7 percent, double the pace of the market. Leading the sales charge is an all-new model that was not around previously, the Q50 sedan. It replaced the previous generation G sedan which is, by the way, still on sale for at least another year.

Confusion aside, I had to break out my Infiniti nomenclature chart to remind myself that the 2014 Infiniti QX60 that recently appeared in my driveway was last year’s JX35, a model that I tested in Sept. 2013. The current model offers few changes over the previous edition other than splitting its Premium package into two parts: Premium and Premium Plus, and adding power folding seat third-row seats to the available Deluxe Touring Package. A new hybrid model also joined the line up this year.

Everything else about the model was the same right down to the pretty Midnight Garnet exterior and Java interior color scheme. Still, I was happy to get this crossover back for a test drive no matter the similarities beyond its name.

2014 Infiniti QX60 AWD

The 2014 Infiniti QX60 is sold in front- and all-wheel-drive versions. The price difference between models is small ($42,100 versus $43,500) and the gas mileage difference is just 1 mpg. I do not have the breakdown on model take rate, but I would venture to say that the overwhelming number of models sold skew to the AWD. And why not? It comes in handy when faced with slippery conditions and it provides better towing too (5,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds) than the FWD edition.

On the road, this crossover performs well, its 3.5-liter 24-valve V-6 engine making 265 horsepower and 248 foot-pounds of torque. It is paired with a continuously variable transmission and I must say that the pairing is a good one.

Some naysayers hate CVTs and there is nothing that I can say that would convince them otherwise. Not all Nissan CVTs are as good as the QX60’s, what responded smoothly to the many demands put on it. That included much highway drive time where hard acceleration was needed and no delay in response was felt. It does the job that owners would expect and that includes delivering ample power while still returning decent highway mileage (19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway).

Handling and steering is as you would expect with a luxury crossover — not eventful, but with no drama either. People do not buy these vehicles for a sporty ride, but they do insist on comfort, quiet and no drama. Give the Infiniti QX60 high marks in all three areas.

Spacious, Comfortable Interior

Inside, the cabin is roomy and bright, providing seating for seven. The last row seems almost like an afterthought as it is not especially comfortable for adults except in a pinch. For families with small children, it will certainly do — Infiniti makes up for it by providing four cup holders “back there” or 14 drink holders total.

Every Infiniti QX60 comes equipped with leather-appointed seats. A driver’s 8-way power and front passenger 6-way power seats are standard. Standard rear seating includes a 60-40 split bench second-row seat and a 50-50 split third-row seat.

The seats are comfortable, bolstered and supportive. Driver controls are sensible too with the transmission stick located fore of the deep and compartmentalized center console with important secondary controls seated on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The instrument panel features a pair of analog displays (tachometer and speedometer), what flank the driver’s digital information center.

Pick Choices Galore

Infiniti provides one trim level and adds packages to that. The base sticker price quickly climbs as many of the amenities and other goodies typically found in press fleet vehicles are included. These extras were: roof rails ($490), technology package ($2,800), a theater package ($1,700), deluxe touring package ($3,450), illuminated kick plates ($305), premium package ($1,550) and a premium plus package ($3,000). That’s nearly $15,000 of upgrades, bringing the test vehicle’s sticker price to $57,240 including a destination charge.

All models are outfitted with keyless entry and push-button start, a tri-zone climate control system, rear seat heater ducts, a power sliding tinted moonroof, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel column, power folding and heated side mirrors, a power liftgate, a seven-inch color display with a rear monitor, Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, auxiliary input jacks, and a six-speaker audio system with an MP3 player.


2014 Infiniti QX60 AWD

View manufacturer details and pricing


With so many extras to choose from I found it hard to imagine driving or let alone owning the Infiniti QX60 without the included amenities. I might have scrubbed the technology package, what includes backup collision intervention, blind spot warning and forward collision warning. Then again, I have warmed up to its semi-autonomous driving features where activate brake assist stops the crossover if you do not. And, the intelligent cruise control always maintains a safe distance between you and the vehicle directly in front of you. Infiniti does not allow you to shop cafeteria style for technologies — everything is sold under the various packages.

The theater package adds a pair of 7-inch color monitors to the rear of the front seat headrests. You get wireless headphones with a remote and an upgraded rear console that adds a 120-volt outlet, input jacks and headphone jacks. Personally, I am glad when an outlet is included, what allows me to recharge my laptop when on the go.

The deluxe touring package is what adds beauty to this already attractive model. You get 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, climate controlled front seats, heated rear outboard seats, maple interior accents and perhaps the best feature of all: a panoramic moonroof with sunshade that spans the second and third rows. When open, you get a generous amount of light, what makes the cabin seem airier and more spacious. This package also brings in a Bose audio system.

Choose the premium package and your Infiniti QX60 is upgraded to a 13-speaker Bose audio system. A heated steering wheel, driver lumbar support and remote engine start are among its features.

The last package, premium plus, brings in the navigation system with Infiniti Connection infotainment, what makes voice recognition possible and includes traffic and weather reports. A family favorite was the around view monitor that split the now 8-inch screen to show an overhead view of the vehicle as well as of the rear view. Moving object detection is included, what alerts the driver visually and audibly to someone or something near the vehicle. Front and back sensors work in tandem with the front and rear cameras to pick up the action.

With the deluxe touring package included, the third-row seats fold one by one. A button on each side of the storage compartment must be pressed and held to complete the process. Hooks, tie downs and a 12-volt outlet are also found in the rear compartment. Underneath is another storage compartment what also stored the Bose sound system in this model. Push the button on the liftgate door and it closes.

Luxury Crossover Competition

Manufacturers are building more utility vehicles because customers want them. With four models to choose from, Infiniti has the market well covered. Among competing models, you will find the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, Acura MDX, BMW X5 and the Land Rover LR3. Bulkier competitors include the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, but these models are typically cross shopped when the Infiniti QX80 comes into play.

You might also consider the Infiniti QX70, a sportier model that offers standard rear-wheel drive, optional all-wheel drive, but seats just five. Finally, the hybrid version may also be worth a look, one that retails from $45,100 and delivers 28 mpg on the highway.


2014 Infiniti QX60 AWD

  • Sticker price from $42,950
  • Price as tested: $57,240
  • Seats 7 occupants
  • 3.5-liter 24-valve V-6 gasoline engine
  • 265 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
  • 248 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,400 rpm
  • 3.76 inches bore by 3.21 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.3-to-1
  • Continuously variable transmission
  • Wheelbase: 114.2 inches
  • Length: 196.4 inches
  • Width: 77.2 inches
  • Height: 68.6 inches
  • Passenger volume: 149.8 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 15.8 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds
  • EPA: 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway
  • Premium grade gasoline recommended
  • Fuel tank: 19.5 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 4,323 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Good in moderate overlap front and side categories
  • Safety features: Available around view monitor
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 4 years/60,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 6 years/70,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 7 years/Unlimited miles
  • Vehicle assembly: Smyrna, Tennessee

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2014 Infiniti QX60 AWD photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2014 MODELS, all-wheel drive, crossover, CUV, Infiniti JX35, INFINITI QX60, NISSAN, utility vehicle

On the Road With the Roomy, Stylish Infiniti JX35

September 2, 2013 by admin 3 Comments

The upscale brands are embracing their crossovers, SUVs that ride more like a car than a truck. Infiniti is no exception, offering three models plus the QX56 SUV. I got a hold of one of the last of the 2013 models for my weekly drive, the all-new Infiniti JX35, what has been renamed the QX60 for 2014.

2013 Infiniti JX35

A previous spin with the Infiniti JX35 at the Fall 2012 WAPA Rally had me wanting more. However, it took nearly an entire model year for this seven-passenger front-wheel drive SUV to move up to the top of my weekly drive list, but the wait was worth it. This model can be had in all-wheel drive if you prefer.

Like certain other Infiniti models, this one shares its bones with a Nissan product, namely the Murano. It is wider and longer than the Murano and is also much more refined. It does, however, share its 3.5-liter V-6 engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The JX35 makes 265 horsepower and 248 foot-pounds of torque, providing more than enough power to move this crossover without groaning.

2013 Infiniti JX35.
2013 Infiniti JX35.

Dressed for Success

As is customary for Infiniti, the JX35 offers one trim level with various packages available. Premium, technology, theater, driver assistance and deluxe touring packages are your choices. You can also upgrade to maple trim, add roof rails and cross bars, opt for a tow package and choose 20-inch forged wheels. All told, these upgrades push the final price of a loaded Infiniti JX35 to about $55,000, adding approximately $14,000 to the base price.

And it can be difficult to decide what you want and what to leave out when building and pricing the Infiniti JX35. Most press fleet test models come loaded, spoiling the driver but, who is complaining? You get used to having certain amenities at your disposal including a 15-speaker Bose Cabin Surround sound system that rocks the house or at least the crossover. Doing without the hard drive navigation system is possible, but with XM radio, weather and traffic reports you wont want to. Infiniti throws in a Zagat restaurant guide to round out the package.

The DVD entertainment system is a terrific kid-minder and parent pleaser. This package comes with a remote and two headsets with screens fixed on the back of the front seat head rests. Pop in a DVD up front, adjust the dial to audio and your kids can take in a movie or play a game while you and your spouse enjoy your favorite music.

The Infiniti JX35 is Now the QX60

View manufacturer details and pricing

On the Road

With three rows of leather-wrapped seating, there is ample space in the JX35s cabin to carry seven adults. The 2-3-2 seating configuration does not penalize third row passengers who can fold and flip the second row split seat to access the rear with ease. Its an innovative seating arrangement that removes the dread of back row access and egress something my family used quite often and to our mutual delight.

The Infiniti JX35 is comfortable, offering bolstered front row seating with an eight-way power drivers seat and a six-way power passenger seat. Adjust the steering column and your seat, check the mirrors, buckle up and push button start this vehicle and you’re ready to go. That go is provided by a lusty V-6 engine that purrs when it is cruising on the highway, but roars as you step on the gas.

This models CVT seems more refined than what you find elsewhere, a sport-tuned unit with manual and sport shift modes. Shift it into sport mode and youll get the feel of a step transmission, providing a more engaged driving experience. You can also fiddle with the drive mode selector to try your hand at standard, sport, snow or Eco modes. Likely, youll be satisfied with standard most of the time, perhaps trying Eco for those long trips across the country. For the record I/we averaged 21.7 mpg for the week, what was expected and darn close to the 21 mpg combined EPA average.

As equipped, the test model came with all the safety features you expect beyond airbags, traction control and stability control. These were: blind spot warning and intervention, a backup collision intervention system, lane departure warning and prevention, brake assist and forward collision warning. My personal favorite is adaptive cruise control, what you set to maintain your speed, but what will also automatically adjust your speed downward when you follow someone on the road who is going too slow. Its about maintaining enough space between you and that car.

Infiniti JX35 Impressions

Chances are when you read this review the Infiniti QX60 will be in your Infiniti showroom. In Aug. 2013, Infiniti stepped up its naming convention change over as 2014 model year vehicles were introduced.

The JX35 arrived three weeks after I returned a 2014 QX70 (formerly FX) a vehicle that is nearly the same size as the JX35/QX60. Two differences is that the 70 seats five and rear-wheel drive is standard. A third difference is overall interior room, rivaling what you find in the QX56, now QX80.

What it comes down to is this: the QX60 shines with its in-cabin utility, while the QX70 offers better overall performance and sport handling.

2013 Infiniti JX35

  • Sticker price from $41,250
  • Seats 7 occupants
  • 3.5-liter 24-valve V-6 engine
  • 265 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
  • 248 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,400 rpm
  • 3.76 inches bore by 3.21 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.3-to-1
  • Continuously variable automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 114.2 inches
  • Length: 196.4 inches
  • Width: 77.2 inches
  • Height: 67.8 inches
  • Passenger Volume: 150 cubic feet (est.)
  • Storage Volume: 15.8 to 76.5 cubic feet
  • Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds
  • EPA: 18 mpg city, 24 mpg hwy.
  • Fuel Tank: 19.5 gallons
  • Curb Weight: From 4,280 pounds
  • Vehicle Assembly: Smyrna, Tenn.

See Also — On the Road With an Infiniti Q50S

Photo copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2013 MODELS, crossover, Infiniti JX35, INFINITI QX60, NISSAN, SUV

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