More Presence, More Tech: 2026 Infiniti QX60 Refines the Three-Row Formula

Infiniti’s midsize three-row SUV, the 2026 Infiniti QX60, receives its first major update for the 2026 model year since the debut of its second generation in 2022 (2025 model year). The refresh brings enhancements across the board—including updated styling, new interior materials, upgraded screens, and revised driver-assistance technology—while retaining the trusted variable-compression turbo engine. Notable additions include a new SPORT trim, exterior design cues borrowed from the larger 2025 QX80, and a fresh collaboration with Klipsch for a premium audio experience. Here are the key highlights.

What’s New for 2026

• Fresh front fascia with an “Artistry in Motion” grille, illuminated three-dimensional badge, and segmented LED daytime running lights.
• SPORT grade slots between LUXE and AUTOGRAPH, adding a more aggressive face, gloss-black 20-inch wheels, darker exterior accents, and standard captain’s chairs.
• ProPILOT Assist 2.1 (optional on AUTOGRAPH) enables hands-off, eyes-on freeway cruising where mapping allows.
• Google built-in now runs natively on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, supplementing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
• Klipsch 16- or 20-speaker systems replace last year’s Bose setups, accompanied by driver-focused “Individual Audio” on AUTOGRAPH.
• 20-inch wheels are standard across the board (PURE wore 18s last year).
• New Deep Emerald paint and Stone Gray interior colour join the palette.

Design Tweaks Beyond the Surface

While the core sheet-metal design remains unchanged, subtle yet smart design tweaks give the 2026 Infiniti QX60 a broader, lower stance compared to the 2025 model. Up front, painted elements on the bumper create the illusion that the grille is floating, while a revised lower door trim elongates the side profile. At the rear, the liftgate’s body-color panel now extends closer to the ground, enhancing the SUV’s planted look. AUTOGRAPH trims elevate the drama with a new Light Path welcome sequence, projecting Infiniti’s logo and wing-like graphics onto the pavement—a striking yet practical touch for finding the vehicle in the dark.

New wheel designs span the lineup: PURE and LUXE trims receive updated 20-inch alloys, while the AUTOGRAPH model debuts a double-wing design under a tinted clearcoat. The new SPORT trim brings a bolder attitude with black five-spoke wheels and contrasting exterior accents, adding a sense of performance absent from earlier versions. A small square “AWD” emblem, reminiscent of a Japanese hanko stamp, appears on all-wheel-drive variants—a refined detail borrowed from the QX80’s design language.

Cabin: Screens, Sound, and Sustainable Touches

For 2026, the Infiniti QX60 now comes standard with dual 12.3-inch displays. The infotainment system finally integrates Google Maps, Google Assistant voice controls, and Google Play app support, offering a more connected and user-friendly experience. The digital instrument cluster remains fully customizable but now features cleaner layouts and a live route preview when navigation is in use.

In a notable shift, Infiniti replaces the previous Bose audio system with premium hardware from Klipsch, a respected American audio brand known for high-fidelity home speakers. LUXE and SPORT trims are equipped with a 16-speaker, 600-watt system featuring titanium tweeters and an 8-inch TriPower subwoofer. AUTOGRAPH models take things further with a 20-speaker setup powered by a 24-channel amplifier, including an “Individual Audio” function that isolates calls and navigation prompts to the driver’s seat—ideal for preserving quiet in the back rows.

Interior updates continue with improved materials. PURE and LUXE trims now offer TailorFit upholstery, made from 65% recycled content that’s softer and easier to maintain than the synthetic leather it replaces. A new Stone Gray interior option joins the existing Graphite and Saddle Brown palettes. The SPORT trim stands out with a unique Dusk Blue and Black color scheme paired with a black headliner, while AUTOGRAPH models retain their upscale semi-aniline leather with elegant kimono-inspired stitching.

SPORT Grade: Bringing Attitude

The new SPORT trim injects the QX60 with a bold sense of style it previously lacked, targeting buyers who want more visual edge than the standard model offers. A sharper honeycomb grille insert, gloss-black accents, and exclusive lower aero elements convey a sportier attitude—without altering the powertrain. The trim also comes standard with all-wheel drive, second-row captain’s chairs, and a distinctive monochrome “S” badge that sets it apart.

Color options for the SPORT are focused and refined: Mineral Black, Grand Blue, Radiant White, and Graphite Shadow. For added flair, Radiant White and Graphite Shadow can be paired with a contrasting black roof, further enhancing the trim’s aggressive, street-savvy aesthetic.

Driver Assistance and Parking Tech

The QX60’s semi-autonomous capabilities get a boost with the addition of ProPILOT Assist 2.1. On compatible divided highways, the system can manage steering, acceleration, and braking, provided the driver remains attentive and ready to take control. However, this advanced feature is exclusive to the AUTOGRAPH trim, which may limit its appeal to those who primarily drive on surface streets and can’t fully utilize the technology.

Parking and maneuvering also get a significant upgrade. Starting with the LUXE trim, all models now feature a 3D Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection. This system uses eight cameras to generate a composite view of the vehicle’s surroundings. AUTOGRAPH models add a “spin” function that allows users to rotate a virtual model of the SUV on the display for a complete situational view. Additional tools like Front Wide View and Invisible Hood View help reveal obstacles in front of or underneath the vehicle—ideal for navigating tight urban spaces or aligning with car wash tracks.

Engine, Transmission, and Towing

Infiniti continues to rely on its 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder engine for the 2026 QX60, delivering an unchanged 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque. While the power figures stay the same, engineers have fine-tuned the intake and exhaust systems to produce a more refined engine note under load. Fuel economy also remains consistent with the previous model year: 22/28/24 mpg (city/highway/combined) for front-wheel drive models and 22/27/24 mpg for all-wheel drive variants.

The powertrain is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, complemented by paddle shifters and multiple drive modes for varying conditions. Towing capacity remains a standout feature—when properly equipped, every QX60 can tow up to 6,000 pounds, retaining its class-leading status among unibody three-row SUVs.

Takeaway

The 2026 Infiniti QX60 doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it refines it. This mid-cycle refresh enhances the SUV’s appeal with updated styling, larger standard wheels, a significantly upgraded infotainment and driver-assist system, and a more immersive audio experience. The addition of the SPORT trim brings much-needed visual excitement to the lineup, even if performance remains unchanged and firmly in the “adequate” range. For families who already appreciated the QX60’s practicality and class-leading towing capacity, the 2026 updates make an already solid choice even more compelling.