cars news 10: Three-Row 2016 Infiniti QX60 Gets Subtle Refresh

It was in the 2014 model year that the Infiniti JX35 became the QX60, and it’s already time for the three-row model’s refresh. It appears the Japanese luxury brand saved the big technical updates for the Q50, as the changes to the QX60 are fairly minor. Still, the seven-passenger crossover receives a revised interior and exterior along with tweaked suspension and steering for 2016.

The QX60’s headlights retain their overall sleek shape, but things have been rearranged within the housings. The headlights feature standard bi-xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights, and now look more aggressive than before. The double-arch grille and foglight surrounds have also been redesigned. In back, the taillights have been updated with a sharper design and the rear bumpers now feature flush-mounted sonar sensors. The interior looks mostly the same, but the upper instrument panel now comes wrapped in soft-touch material with contrast stitching and the gear selector and surround gets a subtle redesign.

The QX60 will continue to be offered in both front- and all-wheel drive layouts, with both traditional gas V-6 and hybrid drivetrains available. The 3.5-liter V-6 makes the same 265 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque as last year. The same goes for the hybrid’s 2.5-liter I-4 and electric motor combo, which still makes 250 hp and 243 lb-ft. What has changed, according to Infiniti, are the suspension and steering systems. The front suspension utilizes new shocks and springs that reduce body roll and offer a smoother ride, while new 235/65R18-size all-season tires improve grip. The speed-sensitive power steering system has been tuned for better response, now requiring 2.9 turns lock to lock. Infiniti also focused on reducing noise for 2016, redesigning the engine mounts so they transmit less vibration to the cabin and adding more cabin insulation. The side windows are now made of three-layered acoustic glass, which minimizes wind and tire noise.

Source: Infiniti