Infiniti QX60 Gains More Power with Direct Injection V6 for 2017
Infiniti has updated the 2017 QX60 with a direct-injection 3.5-litre V6, now producing 295hp and 270lb ft, along with minor interior and tech enhancements.
Infiniti has refreshed its QX60 seven-seat SUV for the 2017 model year, introducing a new direct-injection 3.5-litre V6 engine that lifts output to 295hp and 270lb ft. The move aligns the QX60 with its Nissan Pathfinder sibling, which received a similar engine update for 2017, but Infiniti’s version edges ahead on both power and torque.
The new direct-injection unit replaces the previous port-injected V6, which delivered 265hp and 248lb ft. The result is a 30hp and 22lb ft increase, bringing the QX60’s performance closer to rivals in the premium SUV segment. The Nissan Pathfinder’s version of this engine is rated at 284hp and 259lb ft, giving Infiniti’s model a slight advantage in headline figures.
Technical changes for 2017
The direct-injection system is the key mechanical update for 2017. Direct injection allows more precise fuel delivery, which can improve both power and efficiency compared to port injection. The QX60’s engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), as before. Infiniti has not announced specific fuel economy changes, but direct injection typically brings incremental gains.
Interior and technology tweaks
Beyond the engine, Infiniti has made subtle changes to the QX60’s interior and features. The infotainment system now uses the InTouch interface already seen in the smaller QX30, and the optional rear entertainment screens have grown in size. Other new or revised options include a power liftgate, automatic high beams and auto-dimming side mirrors.
These updates follow the more substantial 2016 facelift, which brought acoustic glass for reduced wind noise and a suite of active safety features. For 2017, the focus is squarely on the new engine and incremental comfort improvements.
Market context
The QX60’s power increase puts it in a stronger position among premium seven-seat SUVs, where output and technology are key selling points. Infiniti’s decision to deliver more power than the Nissan Pathfinder reflects the QX60’s positioning as the more upmarket option, though both share the same basic architecture.
Infiniti has not announced any price changes or further mechanical revisions for the 2017 QX60. The model continues to compete with rivals such as the Acura MDX and Volvo XC90, both of which have also focused on engine and technology upgrades in recent years.
