2027 Infiniti QX65 First Drive: The FX Spirit Returns, With One Loud Caveat

2027 Infiniti QX65 First Drive: The FX Spirit Returns, With One Loud Caveat

Infiniti has been looking for a spark, and the 2027 QX65 aims to bring emotion back into the brand. This is not just another luxury crossover meant to blend in. The QX65 is bold, dramatic, and more expressive than the QX60, even though they share some DNA. Infiniti says it drew inspiration from the old FX series, and that influence is obvious.

FX Energy, Reborn for Today

The FX was a vehicle that didn’t need to make sense to everyone. It had a long hood, fastback profile, a sporty attitude, and stood apart from the more conservative luxury SUVs of its time. The QX65 is not a direct replacement for that vehicle, but it does feel like Infiniti is trying to reconnect with that spirit. It is lower, sleeker, and more personal than the QX60. Its fastback roofline and design make a statement over simply being practical.

The Shape Makes the Statement

In person, the QX65 works. Photos show the shape, but they do not fully capture the presence of the vehicle, especially in red. Infiniti went as far as adding actual gold flakes to the paint, and under natural light, the finish has a richness that really stands out. It gives the SUV a more premium and almost concept-car-like quality, which helps support the idea that this is meant to be one of Infiniti’s more emotional products.

A Simpler Three-Trim Strategy

Infiniti has also simplified the lineup. The QX65 will be offered in three trims: LUXE, SPORT, and AUTOGRAPH, all with all-wheel drive. That makes the range easier to understand and gives each version a clearer identity. LUXE serves as the entry point, SPORT adds a more athletic appearance and features, while AUTOGRAPH sits at the top with the most premium materials and equipment.

One Engine, One Transmission, No Hybrid Yet

Under the hood, every QX65 uses Infiniti’s 2.0-litre VC-Turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. At the time of our drive, Infiniti had not confirmed any other engine option or hybridization for the QX65. Which is interesting because it would benefit from some form of electrification. A variation of Nissan and Infiniti’s e-POWER technology could elevate the premium feeling of the QX65 by adding smoother, more immediate electric-style response while also helping refinement. The current engine performed adequately during our drive, but a more electrified option would suit the luxury mission of this SUV well.

Sporty Tuning With One Preproduction Quirk

As it stands, the VC-Turbo does a good job. There is plenty of power for daily driving, merging, and passing, and the QX65 does not feel underpowered. Infiniti has tuned the engine and transmission to give the vehicle a more responsive personality than you might expect from a family-friendly luxury SUV. The accelerator response is quick, and the transmission is eager to keep the engine in its stronger range. That sportier tuning mostly works, but this was still a preproduction model, and there are areas that could benefit from software refinement. The 9-speed automatic occasionally seems a little too committed to the sporty character Infiniti is trying to create. Third gear, in particular, can hang longer than necessary. On a straight road or during a harder acceleration run, that can make the QX65 more alert. Around corners, though, it sometimes feels overdone, as if the vehicle is trying a little too hard to remind you that it has been tuned for a sportier experience.

The Loudest Caveat

The same can be said about the sound. The QX65 uses Active Sound Enhancement, and Infiniti has deliberately increased the sound to give the SUV a more emotional character. In Sport mode, that makes some sense. Drivers choosing Sport mode are likely expecting more engine presence and a more dramatic soundtrack. The strange part is that the enhanced sound is also quite noticeable in Eco and Normal modes.

Even stranger, the sound does not really resemble what you expect from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder. It has more of a V6-like tone, which may appeal to some drivers, but it can also seem artificial once you notice it. During our drive, we were informed that the pumped-in sound could not currently be turned off. For me, that was the biggest frustration with the QX65. In a luxury vehicle, especially one that is otherwise so refined, I would prefer the choice to reduce or disable that enhancement entirely.

Comfortable, Controlled, and Surprisingly Capable

The good news is that this was my main complaint. The rest of the driving experience was astonishingly good. Infiniti chose some surprisingly challenging roads around Nashville to show what the QX65 could do, and the SUV handled them with more confidence than expected. This is still a midsize luxury SUV, not a sports car, but the body control is impressive for something of this size. There is some weight to manage, of course, but body roll is well controlled, and the suspension does a nice job of keeping the vehicle composed without becoming harsh.

The ride quality is one of the QX65’s strongest attributes. It’s comfortable and settled, even when the road surface is less than perfect. There is a level of softness that fits the luxury brief, but not so much that the vehicle feels floaty or disconnected. Infiniti seems to have found a good balance between comfort and control, which is exactly what this type of SUV needs.

The cabin is also well isolated from exterior noise. Road and wind noise are kept nicely in check, which gives the QX65 a more refined sense from behind the wheel. That also makes the pumped-in engine sound more noticeable, because the vehicle is otherwise calm and quiet. Without that artificial soundtrack, the QX65 would be even more polished.

Quiet, Comfortable, and Mostly Premium

The seats are another highlight. They are comfortable, supportive, and well-suited for long drives. This matters because, despite the bold styling and fastback shape, the QX65 still needs to work as a family vehicle. It should be comfortable enough for commuting, road trips, school runs, and everything else buyers expect from a premium SUV. Based on this first drive, it succeeds in that area.

Inside, the QX65 is familiar if you have spent time in the QX60; much of the layout and general cabin experience carries a similar flavour, which gives it a practical and usable foundation. The difference is that the QX65 wraps that familiarity in a more expressive package. It’s like the more stylish, more personal alternative rather than the purely rational family choice. The HVAC controls use haptic feedback, which gives the cabin a modern look, but they require a firmer press than I would like in a premium or luxury vehicle. This is not a deal-breaker, but it is the type of detail you notice because the rest of the cabin experience is aiming for comfort and ease.

Klipsch Gives the Cabin Its Own Identity

One of the biggest novelties inside the QX65 is the Klipsch audio system. Depending on the trim, the QX65 offers either a 16-speaker Klipsch system or a 20-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere system. It sounds crisp, detailed, and powerful, and it adds a lot to the overall cabin experience. This is the type of feature the whole family can enjoy, whether on a long highway drive or simply running errands around town. The audio system also fits the QX65’s mission well. This is not just a vehicle trying to be sporty. The design, the colour choices, the quiet cabin, the comfortable seating, and the sound system all work toward making the QX65 more indulgent than a conventional two-row SUV. From a family perspective, the QX65 makes sense. The fastback shape gives it a more dramatic look, but it does not turn the vehicle into something impractical. Cargo space remains useful, and the second row should be comfortable enough for daily family use. It may not be as versatile as the three-row QX60, but that is not really the point. The QX65 is for buyers who like the Infiniti family-SUV formula but want something with more style and personality.

The Stylish Alternative to the QX60

That is where the QX65 becomes interesting. It is not trying to replace the QX60. It is trying to give Infiniti buyers another choice. The QX60 is the more traditional family luxury SUV, with three rows and a more conventional shape. The QX65 is the expressive one. It is the one for buyers who still need space and comfort but do not want their SUV to look like every other premium crossover in the parking lot.

Infiniti Finally Takes a Chance Again

After driving it, the QX65 feels like one of Infiniti’s most convincing products in years. It has presence, it has comfort, it has good road manners, and it has enough power for the job. The suspension tuning is especially impressive, delivering a ride that is comfortable but not lazy. The steering and body control give the vehicle more confidence than expected, and the cabin is quiet enough to support the luxury badge. The biggest issue is not the engine itself. It is the way Infiniti has chosen to amplify it. The Active Sound Enhancement may appeal to some drivers, but it should be adjustable. In Sport mode, it fits the mood. In Eco and Normal, it’s unnecessary. A luxury vehicle should give the driver more control over that type of experience, especially when the rest of the vehicle is so refined.

Because this was a preproduction model, some of the transmission behaviour may still be improved before customer deliveries begin. A small software adjustment could make the 9-speed feel more natural in everyday driving, especially when it comes to holding lower gears. The foundation is good. It just needs a little more subtlety. And that really sums up the QX65 as a whole. Infiniti has built a stylish, comfortable, surprisingly capable SUV that brings back some of the boldness people remember from the FX. It is not perfect, but it has character, and that is something Infiniti has needed. For families, the QX65 offers comfort, quietness, usable space, and a strong list of premium features. For drivers, it offers a more engaging personality than expected. For Infiniti, it represents something bigger: a return to taking chances.

Disclaimer: Infiniti invited us to Nashville, Tennessee, to drive the 2027 Infiniti QX65 as part of a media first-drive program. Travel, accommodations, and access to the vehicle were provided by Infiniti. As always, all opinions, observations, and conclusions in this review are our own.