Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Infiniti QX60 Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateBest Infiniti QX60 Model Years (Ranked)
The Infiniti QX60 is the three-row luxury crossover that started life in 2013 as the JX35 before adopting the QX60 name for 2014. For most of its run it shared its bones with the Nissan Pathfinder, which means it inherited both the Pathfinder's comfortable, family-friendly packaging and — for several years — its much-debated continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The big story in the QX60's history is the 2022 second-generation redesign, which finally dropped the CVT for a conventional nine-speed automatic, modernized the interior, and added serious technology. That single change reshapes any ranking of the best Infiniti QX60 model years.
This guide ranks the QX60 by drivetrain reliability, interior quality, feature value, and used-market pricing. We weighted the transmission heavily because the CVT is the single biggest determinant of long-term ownership cost on the first-generation cars. A clean second-gen car is a fundamentally different — and better — machine than an early first-gen JX35.
It is worth understanding what the QX60 is and is not. It has never been a sporty SUV, and it was never meant to be. Its mission is comfort: a hushed cabin, a soft and absorbent ride, supportive seats, and three rows that genuinely fit a family of seven on a road trip.
The second-row seats slide and tilt to make third-row access easy even with a child seat installed, a clever touch Infiniti carried across both generations. Where the QX60 historically fell short was perceived quality of the drivetrain — the droning, rubber-band feel of the CVT under hard acceleration clashed with the otherwise premium experience.
That is exactly the complaint the 2022 redesign set out to fix, which is why the generation split dominates this ranking. Buyers who keep this comfort-first mission in mind will be far happier with their choice than those expecting German-style sharpness.
Direct Answer
The best Infiniti QX60 overall is the 2022 (second-generation redesign) — it replaces the long-running CVT with a smooth nine-speed automatic, pairs it with the proven 295-hp 3.5L V6, and delivers a genuinely upscale cabin with a large dual-screen interface and standard driver-assist tech.
The best value QX60 is the 2017–2018 first-generation refresh, which gives you the updated styling, available ProPILOT-era safety features, and the mature 3.5L V6 with a sorted CVT for a fraction of the redesign's price. Be cautious with the 2013 JX35 and 2014 first-year QX60, whose early CVTs are the most complaint-prone.
1. 2022 QX60 (Second Generation) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The 2022 QX60 is a complete redesign and the most important year in the model's history. It drops the CVT for a nine-speed conventional automatic mated to the familiar 3.5L V6 producing 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. The cabin is transformed with quilted leather, open-pore wood, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while ProPILOT Assist and a full safety suite are available.
Towing climbs to a useful 6,000 lbs. This is the QX60 to buy for the best blend of refinement, reliability, and modern tech, and it holds value far better than the first-gen cars.
2. 2017 QX60 (First-Gen Refresh) 💎 BEST VALUE
The 2017 QX60 received the first generation's meaningful refresh: revised styling, a retuned suspension, and an updated 3.5L V6 making 295 hp paired to the Xtronic CVT. By 2017 the CVT was a mature, well-understood unit, and Infiniti added more available driver aids. Used prices are very low for the equipment you get — heated leather, three usable rows, and a quiet, comfortable ride.
For buyers who want luxury-crossover comfort on a tight budget, this is the value champion.
3. 2023 QX60 (Second Gen, Settled-In)
The 2023 QX60 carries the strong 2022 redesign forward with a year of running improvements. The 295-hp 3.5L V6 and nine-speed automatic continue, as do the upscale interior and available ProPILOT Assist 2.0 on top trims. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and a 17-speaker Bose audio option round out a genuinely premium package.
Buy this year if you want the new platform with the first-year quirks already addressed and strong remaining warranty.
4. 2018 QX60 (First-Gen, Final Polish)
The 2018 QX60 is the most refined first-generation car. The 3.5L V6 (295 hp) and Xtronic CVT carried over with the latest calibrations, and Infiniti made more advanced safety tech available, including blind-spot intervention and forward emergency braking. Build quality and material choices were at their first-gen peak.
It rides quietly and seats seven in comfort. A low-mileage 2018 is a strong, reliable family hauler at a used-market discount.
5. 2024 QX60 (Second Gen, Latest Updates)
The 2024 QX60 brings the freshest running changes to the second generation, with refined trim packaging and the proven 295-hp 3.5L V6 and nine-speed automatic. The top Autograph trim adds semi-aniline leather and second-row captain's chairs for a near-flagship feel.
Depreciation has barely started, so prices are high, but you get a nearly new luxury three-row with the full modern feature set. Choose this year if maximum warranty and the newest cabin tech matter most.
6. 2016 QX60 (First-Gen, Pre-Refresh Value)
The 2016 QX60 is the last car before the 2017 refresh, which makes it one of the cheapest ways into the model. It uses the 3.5L V6 (265 hp in this era) with the Xtronic CVT, and a QX60 Hybrid variant paired a supercharged 2.5L four with an electric motor for better economy.
The gas V6 is the safer long-term bet. For a bargain-priced luxury three-row, a sorted 2016 makes sense if the CVT history checks out.
7. 2015 QX60 (First-Gen, Improved)
The 2015 QX60 benefited from running refinements over the early cars, with the 3.5L V6 and Xtronic CVT, available all-wheel drive, and the comfortable three-row layout that made the model popular. It is an inexpensive entry point with most of the first-gen virtues intact.
As with all CVT-equipped cars, confirm the transmission was serviced with the correct fluid on schedule — that single factor drives long-term reliability.
8. 2025 QX60 (Second Gen, Newest)
The 2025 QX60 is the latest model with the second generation's full feature set, the 295-hp 3.5L V6, and the nine-speed automatic. It commands the highest prices and the least depreciation, so it is the choice for buyers who want a near-new car with maximum factory warranty rather than value.
Standard safety content and the upscale interior remain class-competitive. Best for buyers prioritizing freshness and warranty over price.
9. 2019 QX60 (First-Gen, Last Run)
The 2019 QX60 is among the final first-generation cars before the gap leading to the redesign. It uses the 3.5L V6 (295 hp) and Xtronic CVT with the broadest first-gen safety availability. As a later-build first-gen car, it benefits from years of accumulated fixes, making it a reliable used pick.
Prices sit between the cheaper mid-decade cars and the redesigned models. A solid middle-ground choice for first-gen value.
10. 2014 QX60 (First Year — Buy With Caution)
The 2014 QX60 is the first year under the QX60 name (after the 2013 JX35) and earns its place as the cheapest example, but it carries first-generation CVT risk. The 3.5L V6 (265 hp) paired to the early Xtronic CVT, which generated the most complaints across the model's life regarding shudder and overheating under load.
Many were addressed under extended warranty programs. Only buy a 2014 with documented CVT service and at a steep discount — otherwise step up to a 2017–2018.
How to Choose
The single most important decision is CVT versus conventional automatic. The first-generation cars (2013–2019) use the Xtronic CVT, which is reliable when serviced correctly but is the model's main long-term risk. The second-generation cars (2022 onward) use a nine-speed automatic that removes that concern entirely and is the reason the redesign tops this list.
If your budget reaches the second-gen redesign, buy it — it is better in every measurable way. If you need to spend less, the 2017–2019 first-gen refresh cars are the smartest value, and you should insist on documented CVT fluid service at the correct intervals. Seek out all-wheel drive in snowy regions, and avoid the 2013 JX35 and 2014 first-year cars unless deeply discounted with clean transmission records.
It also pays to inspect the specific car carefully regardless of model year. On first-generation cars, take a long test drive that includes a steep on-ramp and sustained highway speed; listen for any shudder, flaring, or whine from the CVT under load, and feel for hesitation when the transmission has to downshift.
Pull the dipstick or have a shop check the CVT fluid condition — burnt or dark fluid is a warning sign. On second-generation cars, confirm the nine-speed automatic shifts cleanly through the gears and that the large central touchscreen and driver-assist cameras all function, as those systems can be expensive to repair out of warranty.
Finally, factor in fuel economy: the V6 returns roughly 20–22 mpg combined across both generations, which is average for the class, so do not expect hybrid-like efficiency from the gas cars.
FAQ
Which Infiniti QX60 year is the most reliable? The 2022 and later second-generation cars are the most reliable thanks to the switch from a CVT to a conventional nine-speed automatic. Among first-gen cars, the 2017–2019 refresh models are the best, as their CVTs were mature and well-understood by then.
Did Infiniti fix the QX60 CVT problem? Yes — Infiniti dropped the CVT entirely for the 2022 redesign in favor of a nine-speed automatic. On first-generation cars, correct and timely CVT fluid service dramatically reduces the risk of trouble.
What engine does the Infiniti QX60 use? Nearly every model year uses a 3.5L V6, rated around 265 hp in earlier cars and 295 hp after the refresh and in the second generation. A short-lived QX60 Hybrid paired a supercharged 2.5L four-cylinder with an electric motor.
Is the QX60 the same as the Nissan Pathfinder? The QX60 shares its platform and core mechanicals with the Nissan Pathfinder, but adds Infiniti's luxury interior, upgraded materials, more sound insulation, and additional technology. The relationship continued through both generations.
Bottom Line
The 2022 second-generation QX60 is the clear best overall — dropping the CVT for a nine-speed automatic and adding a genuinely upscale interior fixes the model's two biggest historical weaknesses. The 2017–2018 first-gen refresh is the smart value, delivering luxury-crossover comfort and a mature drivetrain for thousands less.
Whatever year you choose, confirm the transmission service history, and steer clear of the 2013 JX35 and 2014 first-year cars unless the price reflects their early-CVT risk.
Sources
- Infiniti official model information, https://www.infinitiusa.com/
- Infiniti QX60 overview, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infiniti_QX60
- Edmunds Infiniti QX60 reviews and model-year guide, https://www.edmunds.com/infiniti/qx60/
- Kelley Blue Book QX60 used values, https://www.kbb.com/infiniti/qx60/
- Car and Driver Infiniti QX60 road tests, https://www.caranddriver.com/infiniti/qx60
- Consumer Reports QX60 reliability, https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/infiniti/qx60/
- NHTSA safety ratings and complaints, https://www.nhtsa.gov/