INFINITI QX65: A NEW EXPRESSION OF THE SPORTBACK SUV

The first QX65 brings a new proportion to INFINITI’s luxury SUV line-up, pairing a sweeping sportback silhouette with five-seat practicality and a cabin shaped around comfort, technology and Japanese-inspired detailing. Introduced for the 2027 model year, it also revisits one of the marque’s most distinctive design chapters: the FX.

There is a particular confidence in a vehicle that does not attempt to make every proportion conventional. The first-ever INFINITI QX65 takes that approach with a low, sweeping roofline, broad stance and sculpted bodywork, bringing the visual character of a fastback to a five-seat luxury SUV. Introduced for the 2027 model year, the QX65 is positioned as a sportback counterpart within the INFINITI range, balancing expressive design with the adaptability expected of a family-oriented vehicle.

Its design has a clear connection to INFINITI’s own history. The QX65 pays homage to the FX, the crossover introduced by the marque in the early 2000s and remembered for challenging the conventional proportions of the luxury SUV. The new model translates that spirit into a contemporary form, with a pronounced shoulder line, muscular wheel arches and a roof that arcs towards a compact rear section.

At the front, the grille takes inspiration from wind-swept bamboo, an understated reference to Japanese visual language. The effect is supported by the vehicle’s lighting treatment and sculptural surfaces, which give the nose a distinctly graphic appearance. INFINITI’s broader design philosophy, known as Artistry in Motion, has long sought to bring movement into static forms, and the QX65 develops that idea through flowing lines rather than conventional geometric divisions.

The silhouette becomes particularly expressive in profile. The roofline rises smoothly before tapering towards the rear spoiler, while the broad fenders and wide-set wheels give the vehicle a planted stance. On the AUTOGRAPH grade, 21-inch machined-alloy wheels add another layer of definition. The available Sunfire Red finish, incorporating gold-coloured glass flakes, brings warmth and depth to the exterior rather than relying solely on surface gloss for visual impact.

Yet the QX65 has not been conceived as a styling exercise at the expense of everyday use. It seats five, with a second row that can slide, recline and fold flat. With the rear seats configured accordingly, the vehicle offers up to 67.4 cubic feet of cargo volume. That combination gives the sportback profile a practical dimension, allowing its dramatic exterior proportions to coexist with the flexibility expected of a contemporary SUV.

Inside, INFINITI takes a quieter approach. The cabin uses semi-aniline leather seating, with an asymmetrical pattern inspired by the kimono, providing a subtle Japanese reference without turning the interior into a literal interpretation of traditional dress. Available massaging front seats shift the emphasis towards long-distance comfort, while ambient lighting extends across the dashboard and doors in a 64-colour configuration.

The technology follows the same principle of integration. A 12.3-inch touchscreen forms the central interface, with Google built-in providing access to applications through Google Play and voice interaction through Google Assistant. Available Klipsch Reference Premiere audio brings a 20-speaker system into the cabin, including speakers incorporated into the front headrests. The arrangement allows individualised sound for the driver while maintaining a quieter environment for other occupants.

Another unusual feature is the available Personalised Sound experience, designed to adjust the in-car listening environment according to an individual’s hearing profile. It reflects a broader movement within luxury vehicles towards technology that adapts to the person rather than simply adding more screens and functions. The QX65’s cabin is therefore designed as much around the quality of interaction as the quantity of equipment.

Technology also extends to the moment of approach. The vehicle can project a warm illuminated path onto the ground as the driver approaches, creating a visual transition between exterior and interior. It is a small detail, but one that fits the QX65’s wider philosophy: design is not confined to the bodywork; it can shape how the vehicle is encountered and used.

On the road, the QX65 is powered by a 2.0-litre VC-Turbo engine producing 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The global specifications list a five-seat configuration, 67.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity and a 6,000-pound towing capacity.

Driver assistance is similarly comprehensive. Predictive Forward Collision Warning is designed to anticipate potential hazards ahead, while Blind Spot Warning monitors adjacent traffic and High Beam Assist adjusts illumination according to surrounding conditions. ProPILOT Assist can support highway driving by assisting with speed and steering, including during certain lane changes and passing manoeuvres. These systems are intended to reduce the demands of long-distance driving without removing the driver from the experience.

The QX65 arrives from a marque with a comparatively young history in luxury automotive design. INFINITI was announced in 1989 after an internal Nissan task force, known as Horizon, was established to develop a new kind of performance luxury vehicle. The brand launched in the United States with the Q45 sedan and M30 coupé, pairing driver-focused engineering with a different approach to luxury and customer service. Its history subsequently included innovations in driver assistance and the development of distinctive crossover models, including the FX that now serves as a reference point for the QX65.

For the UAE market, INFINITI Dubai currently presents the QX65 through its dedicated reveal page and invites prospective customers to register their interest. The site states that the model is not yet available in the region and that pricing will be confirmed closer to its local on-sale date. INFINITI’s current official retailer locator remains the reference for authorised centres in the UAE, with the network also supporting enquiries, test drives and ownership services.

The QX65 is therefore arriving at an interesting point in the evolution of the luxury SUV. Its appeal does not rest solely on the novelty of a new nameplate, but on the way INFINITI has revisited an earlier design idea and translated it for a new generation. The result is a vehicle that treats practicality and expressive proportion not as opposing requirements, but as elements that can occupy the same silhouette. In the QX65, the SUV becomes a little less predictable without losing sight of what makes it useful.