Shining up a winner
Family-friendly crossover enjoys some notable enhancements
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Midcycle refreshes are always interesting, as it’s the manufacturer’s chance to breathe new life into its model lineup, with the intent of perking up (usually) slumping sales as a result of newer competition and/or buyer over-familiarity with a mature product.
Infiniti calls its enhancement of the seven-seat 2016 QX60 “comprehensive,” though that might be overstating the fact. Yes, there are revisions to the crossover’s exterior design and improvements to its driving dynamics. And, naturally, there are several new features and technologies in the areas of comfort, convenience and safety. But these are evolutionary changes for the family friendly, soft-riding QX60 (a.k.a. JX35, as it was originally called when it debuted back in 2012). Infiniti got the essentials right, proven by the fact that global sales last year increased more than 20 per cent. For Canada, sales of Infiniti’s best-selling model were up nine per cent over 2014. Infiniti, of course, expects the refreshed 2016 QX60 to attract even more buyers to the brand.
What hasn’t changed is the powertrain. The QX60 retains its smooth, 265-horsepower, 3.5litre DOHC V6 (248 pound-feet of torque). And the Hybrid version still features a supercharged 2.5L four-cylinder and an electric motor powered by a compact lithium-ion battery pack (250 net system horsepower). Likewise, Infiniti’s “intelligent” all-wheel drive is standard.
But the crossover’s front end is substantially revised, adding more styling flair, though only the most ardent of “Infiniti-philes” will likely notice. New bi-xenon headlights with new LED daytime running lights flank the redesigned double-arch grille. New LED fog lights are standard as are LED turn signals incorporated into the side rear-view mirrors. At the back, a chrome finisher now surrounds the rear liftgate and a new bodycolour shark fin antenna has been added to the roof. The front and rear fascias now include flush-mounted sonar sensors. The end result is a crossover that’s a little less “me too” and a little more “hey, there!”
More important is the car’s improved road feel. According to Infiniti, the focus for the QX60’s engineers was to provide “an even more assured and confidence-inspiring driving experience.” Primarily this was achieved through revised settings for components carried over from last year’s model. The independent-strut front and multi-link rear suspension features new shock absorbers and spring units. New P235/65TR18 all-season tires were selected to provide better grip and improved balance. Finally, a retuned vehicle-speed-sensitive power steering system now requires just 2.9 turns lock-to-lock for increased response to steering inputs and enhanced feedback.
Throw in the Infiniti drive mode selector (DMS) and its four drive modes — Standard, Sport, Eco and Snow — and drivers can vary throttle response and gearshift patterns dependent on their own preferences.
And so my driving companion and I took to the highways and byways in and around San Antonio, melting into the city’s early afternoon traffic on our way out to the unincorporated community of Bergheim. We were driving a pre-production, loaded, U.S.-spec QX60. Despite it not being a full-production model, its demeanour was quite acceptable. The ride was impressively smooth with little body movement when cornering and rock-solid stable even when the crossover was being buffeted by wind gusts of 40 to 50 kilometres an hour. (The crossover’s vehicle dynamic control system was upgraded for 2016.) Admittedly, the various roads were not a huge challenge for the Infiniti, being very well maintained. Though some stretches were constructed with a rougher aggregate, resulting in more pronounced tire noise, which was otherwise kept well in check.
The lack of cabin noise was equally impressive, the result of the addition of acoustic side glass for better insulation from high-frequency sounds. Constructed of three layers, the glass minimizes the intrusion of wind noise into the cabin.
The retuned power steering took a little getting used to, initially feeling reluctant to move from on-centre. Yet, at higher speeds on a few curvy sections of the route, there was excellent communication with the road, and the QX60 felt less like an upscale family-oriented people mover than something decidedly sportier.
One can argue whether the revisions for 2016 are comprehensive or not. What can’t be argued is that the QX60 — already one of the nicer driving, family friendly and safest premium crossovers out there — has a new and fresher shine on it. The 2016 QX60 is about to go on sale in Canada. Pricing is expected very shortly.