Times have been tough for Infiniti. The luxury arm of Nissan Motor Co. has been rebuilding, pretty much from the ground up. The next step in the process begins late next week with the debut of the new Infiniti QX65, the automaker confirmed. Here’s what Headlight.News knows about it.
The Infiniti QX65 Monograph concept debuted at the annual Quail Motorsports Gathering in Carmel, CA last August.
If you’re looking to buy an Infiniti these days you don’t have many options to choose from: the QX50, QX60 and QX80 models. But the lineup is about to get a sporty new addition.
The luxury arm of Nissan plans to pull the wraps off the new QX65 on March 26. The automaker describes the new model as “a daring two-row midsize luxury SUV that signals the next step in the brand’s ongoing product renaissance.”
While Infiniti has been circumspect when it comes to providing information ahead of next week’s launch, Headlight.News has been able to garner a few salient details.
What’s a QX65
Infiniti is rebuilding its lineup all but from the ground up after abandoning some of its better-known, albeit slow-selling, models. It launched a next-generation QX60 last year, targeting one of the most important segments in the U.S. luxury market.
The QX65 is expected to hit dealer showrooms by early summer.
The next step is to roll out a sportier variant, the QX65 adopting the more coupe-like look popularized by competitors such as the Audi Q7 and BMW X6.
“The all-new 2027 Infiniti QX65 stands out with a sporty fastback profile inspired by the spirit of the iconic FX, a cabin shaped by thoughtful hospitality, and responsive, rewarding performance,” the automaker said in a new statement accompanying this teaser image. “Designed for the heart of the midsize luxury segment, QX65 reflects Infiniti’s legacy of challenging convention.
Return of the V-6
We got a sense of what’s in store during the annual motorsports gathering at The Quail in Carmel, California last August. The QX65 Monograph concept, with its 22-inch wheels, floating roofline and aggressive grille, is believed to be virtually identical to the production QX65 we’ll see next week.
Due to the sloped back of the QX65, the SUV is just a two-row SUV.
There’s been plenty of speculation about what will drive its wheels, however. Infiniti insiders, anxious to build buzz for the new model, have done nothing to deny rumors that the 2027 QX65 will bring a V-6 powertrain back to the Infiniti lineup, a package that was dropped for the QX60 when it debuted last year. More than likely, Infiniti will offer two drivetrain options, including a version of the 2.0-liter inline-4 found in the Nissan Murano and QX60. The Infiniti package currently delivers 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque, pushing power through a 9-speed automatic. Buyers have a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
A more gutsy V-6 would be borrowed from the Nissan Pathfinder, sources suggest, and would likely be marketed as a Red Sport edition. That’s the name Infiniti has used, on and off, for its sportiest models. It could help the Japanese brand begin setting itself up to challenge the likes of the BMW M performance line. The Pathfinder package makes 284 hp but a QX65 package is widely expected to push past 300.
More Infiniti News
- A Week With: 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph
- Infiniti Makes it Official: Here’s What Models are Coming … and Going
- Exclusive: Infiniti Set to Announce Shake-Up to its Product Line-Up
A long way to go
The top-line 2026 Infiniti QX60 Autograph.
“Consumers in the U.S. appreciate a V-6,” Nissan U.S. sales chief Tiago Castro, told Automotive News. “We want to offer that as an alternative.”
Clearly, Infiniti needs to find a distinct reason for its existence, something it’s struggled to come up with over the past decade. In 2025, the brand sold only 46,915 vehicles in the U.S. That was barely 40% of the 117,708 passenger cars and utility vehicles the brand delivered in 2019, just before the COVID pandemic crash.
Look to see the unveiling of the 2027 Infiniti QX65 at 7:00 PM EDT on March 26. The new coupe/crossover will make its first public appearance at the New York International Auto Show which is open to a general audience from April 3 to 12.
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