2027 Infiniti QX65 Review: Premium Coupe SUV, But Does It Stand Out?
Infiniti’s latest offering, the 2027 QX65, enters the increasingly crowded premium coupe SUV market with style and practicality. Slotting alongside the successful QX60, this new model trades the QX60’s three-row capability for a dramatically sloping roofline and enhanced cargo space. But in a segment brimming with established players, does the QX65 bring enough innovation to carve out its own identity? Let’s dive into what makes this newcomer tick.
A Familiar Foundation with a Stylish Twist
Underneath its sleek exterior, the 2027 Infiniti QX65 shares its DNA with the well-regarded QX60. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—the QX60 has earned praise for its comfortable ride, premium interior, and user-friendly technology. However, the QX65’s challenge lies in differentiating itself enough to justify its existence.
The most striking departure from its sibling is the roofline. Where the QX60 maintains a traditional SUV silhouette, the QX65 adopts a fastback design that swoops gracefully toward the rear. This coupe-like profile gives the vehicle a sportier, more dynamic presence on the road. Infiniti draws inspiration from its heritage, citing the bold styling of the early 2000s FX SUV as a touchstone for the QX65’s design language. The result is a vehicle that commands attention without resorting to overwrought styling cues.
The front fascia features Infiniti’s signature double-arch grille, flanked by slim LED headlights that create a modern and sophisticated look. Along the profile, the rising beltline and pronounced rear haunches enhance the coupe aesthetic. The two-tone paint option, particularly the striking Sunfire Red, further accentuates the vehicle’s sculpted lines. While derivative of the brand’s current design direction, the QX65 manages to feel fresh and compelling.
Engineered for Everyday Luxury
Powering the 2027 QX65 is the same powertrain found in the QX60: a 268-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While these figures may not set the world on fire, the engine delivers responsive acceleration for daily driving and highway cruising. Infiniti has made subtle tweaks to the calibration for the QX65, refining the engine’s sound and sharpening the transmission’s responses.
What truly elevates the QX65’s driving experience, however, is its chassis tuning. Engineers have optimized the suspension for a balance of comfort and control, ensuring that the vehicle remains composed over bumps while providing confident handling when the road gets interesting. All-wheel drive comes standard across the lineup, offering enhanced traction in various weather conditions.
Inside the cabin, the QX65 continues to impress with its luxurious appointments and thoughtful design. The dashboard layout is clean and uncluttered, dominated by a pair of 12.3-inch digital displays. The instrument cluster provides vital driving information, while the central touchscreen serves as the hub for infotainment and vehicle settings. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, ensuring seamless smartphone integration.
The seating position is commanding, offering excellent visibility and a sense of confidence behind the wheel. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, with heating standard on all trims. Higher trims add ventilation and massaging functions for the front seats, as well as heated rear seats, ensuring that passengers remain comfortable on even long journeys.
Practicality Takes a Different Form
One of the most significant trade-offs with the coupe SUV formula is the compromise in cargo space. By eschewing a traditional boxy rear, the QX65 sacrifices some of the outright utility found in its QX60 sibling. However, Infiniti has mitigated this somewhat by providing a generous cargo hold behind the second row.
With the rear seats in place, the QX65 offers 36 cubic feet of storage—enough to accommodate several suitcases or a week’s worth of groceries. Folding the rear seats flat opens up a cavernous 68 cubic feet of space, rivaling some larger SUVs. This flexibility makes the QX65 a surprisingly practical choice for those who prioritize cargo capacity but still desire a stylish vehicle.
Infiniti’s attention to detail extends to the cabin’s storage solutions, with numerous cubbies and compartments to keep the interior organized. The rear doors open wide, facilitating easy access to the second row, even for those with child seats. While the sloping roofline may slightly limit headroom for taller passengers in the rear, most adults will find the space perfectly adequate for everyday use.
Technology and Safety Features
The 2027 Infiniti QX65 comes loaded with an impressive array of standard technology and safety features. The dual 12.3-inch digital displays are sharp and responsive, with intuitive menus that make navigating the infotainment system a breeze. The voice recognition system is particularly noteworthy, accurately interpreting commands even with the radio playing.
In terms of safety, the QX65 offers a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies, many of which are standard across the range. These include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with intervention, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims add features like ProPILOT Assist, which provides semi-autonomous driving capabilities for highway cruising.
For those who value an immersive audio experience, the available Klipsch 16-speaker sound system delivers crisp, detailed sound that rivals high-end home theater systems. A head-up display is also available on higher trims, projecting key information onto the windshield to help drivers keep their eyes on the road.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The 2027 Infiniti QX65 is available in three trim levels: Luxe, Sport, and Autograph.
The Luxe trim serves as the entry point, offering a generous array of standard features at a starting price of $55,535. Buyers can upgrade to the Sport trim for $57,235, which adds sport-tuned suspension, larger wheels, and additional interior appointments. The top-tier Autograph trim, priced at $64,135, adds premium features such as ventilated and massaging front seats, the Klipsch sound system, and unique interior trim.
These price points place the QX65 squarely in competition with other premium coupe SUVs like the BMW X4, Audi Q5 Sportback, and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. The QX65’s value proposition lies in its combination of luxury, practicality, and standard features, often undercutting its German rivals on price while offering comparable or superior equipment levels.
Competition and Market Positioning
The premium coupe SUV segment has exploded in popularity over the past decade, with nearly every luxury automaker offering a stylish, sloping-roofed alternative to traditional SUVs. This intense competition presents both opportunities and challenges for the 2027 Infiniti QX65.
On the plus side, the segment’s growth means that consumers are increasingly receptive to this body style. Buyers who find traditional SUVs too boxy or utilitarian may be drawn to the QX65’s dynamic design. Furthermore, Infiniti’s reputation for building reliable and comfortable vehicles provides a strong foundation for the QX65 to build upon.
The challenge, however, lies in differentiation. With so many excellent options available, the QX65 needs to offer something truly compelling to stand out. While its styling is attractive and its interior is luxurious, it doesn’t introduce any groundbreaking technologies or performance innovations that would immediately set it apart from the pack. Its success will likely depend on its ability to deliver value, reliability, and a compelling ownership experience.
The QX65’s target demographic appears to be style-conscious buyers who need more space than a sedan but aren’t ready to commit to a full-size SUV. These buyers are likely to appreciate the blend of premium features, comfortable ride, and manageable size that the QX65 offers. They may also be drawn to Infiniti’s focus on intuitive technology and practical utility, qualities that are sometimes overlooked in the pursuit of sporty styling.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Coupe SUV
The 2027 Infiniti QX65 arrives at a time when the automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Electrification is reshaping the market, with nearly every manufacturer offering or planning electric models. While the QX65 is currently offered with a traditional gasoline engine, it’s likely that an electric or hybrid version will follow in the coming years to keep pace with evolving consumer preferences and regulatory requirements.
The rise of connectivity and autonomous driving technology is also transforming the driving experience. Features like over-the-air updates, advanced driver-assistance systems, and in-car connectivity are becoming standard expectations for premium vehicles. The QX65’s well-executed infotainment system and comprehensive safety suite position it well in this regard, but continuous innovation will be essential to maintain a competitive edge.
Furthermore, the concept of luxury is evolving. Today’s buyers value sustainability, transparency, and a seamless digital experience as much as they do premium materials and brand prestige. Infiniti will need to address these evolving priorities to ensure the long-term success of the QX65 and its lineup.
Conclusion: A Solid Entry in a Crowded Field
The 2027 Infiniti QX65 is a compelling addition to the premium coupe SUV segment. It successfully combines the sleek, stylish design that buyers in this category crave with the comfort, practicality, and technology that have made the QX60 a success. The interior is luxurious and user-friendly, the ride is composed and comfortable, and the cargo space is surprisingly generous despite the sloping
