Franklin, TENN. — Infiniti doesn’t want you calling its newest model a “coupe SUV” despite the obvious signs that it is. Big body? Check. Swooping roofline? Check. Four doors despite a “coupe” typically having two? Check, check, check, and — pardon while I shuffle ‘round back — check.
So if the 2027 Infiniti QX65 isn’t any of that, then what the hell is it?
Well, for starters, Infiniti wants you to think the QX65 is the next step of their present-day renaissance. Thing is, they’re not actually full of it. Ever since the latest, third-gen QX80 launched, it’s as though the fog that had clouded Infiniti over the last decade or so began to lift. It’s as though Infiniti suddenly remembered how to build good cars. It’s not so much that the QX80 (and Armada) managed to turn things around; we just didn’t expect them to do it so effectively.
The QX65 is the next phase of that turnaround. This is technically a new model for the brand, slotting neatly above the three-row QX60 as the more sporting and fashion-forward choice, but below the QX80 as a reminder there’s still room to grow — literally. At the same time, the QX65 feels familiar, drawing a clear line from present-day Infiniti to the original FX from the early aughts. The QX65 is nothing if not a looker; the rakish roofline flows well with Infiniti's curvy-but-sharp character lines, and the front and rear fascias are unique to the QX65, rather than being copy-and-pasted from the 60.
Just, whatever you do, don't call the QX65 a "coupe SUV." Infiniti makes it abundantly clear it wants nothing to do with that term, probably due to the inherent compromises when "coupe" and "SUV" appear in the same sentence. To state the obvious, yes, the QX65 loses out on the 60's third row of seats. And yes, there's a little less luggage space and back-seat headroom because of the shorter roofline.
But the QX65 doesn't compromise much in the way of style. You still have 1,014 litres of cargo space at your disposal with the rear seats up, and 1,917 when you drop them. That's not much of a hit over the QX60, which offers 1,178 litres behind the second row and 2,135 L with everything stowed. Infiniti also took extra care to redesign some of the interior panels for some more width, while an under-floor cubby pitches in another 54 litres of bonus storage.
The QX65 doesn't compromise much on its interior trappings, either. It's a fittingly posh space, with materials and fit-and-finish that look feel a cut above almost anything Infiniti has done in the past. The QX65 debuts a new interior colour called Vermilion Red; accented with off-white stitching and offset quilting, it's very striking and appreciably unique relative to the "lesser" QX60.
Beyond that, the QX65 retains the same basic layout and tech as its more practical, three-row sibling. The software behind the twin 12.3-inch screens might look familiar, but it works well and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across the lineup. The QX65's optional Klipsch audio, either 16- or 20-speakers depending on the trim, appropriately rips.
Powering the 2027 Infiniti QX65 is Nissan's variable-compression 2.0-litre turbo-four, similar to what we've seen in various other Nissans and Infinitis, including the QX60. In the QX65, it puts out 268 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque, sent to all four wheels — all Canadian-spec 65s will be AWD — via a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Where this powertrain differs in the QX65 is with its slight sporting edge. Infiniti says it reworked its Sport mode with even more eager kick-downs and more aggressive throttle mapping. To that end, the QX65 gets out of its own way with a good mid-range punch and smooth power delivery, but it runs out of breath when you're cruising at, say, 80 and you want to pass an 18-wheeler. Weighing in around 4,700 pounds, that's almost too much mass for a four-popper to lug around.
What matters is that when you settle into a cruise, the QX65 eases up quite well. All Canadian-spec models come standard with active noise cancellation, using the audio system and various other acoustic tricks to tune out wind and road noise. To that end, the cabin is very well-hushed and the 21-inch wheels soak up bumps and potholes rather well, even if they're a little too squishy for hard cornering.
Infiniti has been on a tear lately, and the 2027 Infiniti QX65 keeps that momentum going. It takes everything we like about the regular QX60 — the comfort, the feel, and the style — and revitalizes it with more swagger and distinction. Now that we've seen what Infiniti can do to revitalize an existing model, what's this we keep hearing about a manual sport sedan?
