The newly-launched Infiniti crossovers are family friendly but also flaunt some serious street style.
Gone are the days when family cars were assumed to be sensible, no-frill, functional cars that accounted for every fil funneled from the monthly budget. Talk about a seven-seater crossover with pizzazz – the new Infiniti QX 60 lets you do exactly that while the new QX 50 adds more spacious comfort to sharper executive styling.
Infiniti QX 60
Powered by the same 3.5 liter V6 gasoline engine that we saw in the JX 35 when it was introduced, the QX60 features a revised steering system and better safety technology. The power continues to be 265 hp driven by 336 Nm of torque delivered through Infiniti’s refined CVT with intelligent all-wheel drive. In short, the drivetrain stays in the familiar zone.
The new crossover had then attempted to beat its rivals with cutting edge technological features for convenience and safety; this time again the QX60 comes equipped with Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Backup Collision Intervention and an Around View Monitor – definitely helpful when you have a big, noisy family riding with you.
The main exterior changes seem to be the addition of daytime LED running lamps and front LED fog lamps with chrome finishers. Inside, subtle chrome accents and soft touch material with contrast stitching make the driver-oriented cockpit look and feel premium.
The QX60 starts from AED 185,000.
The DriveME review of JX 35 can still give you an idea.
Infiniti QX50
Good news for your younger passengers who sit hugging their knees in the last row – legroom has been increased, making for a much more comfortable ride and less grumpy faces.
The QX50 gets new bumper and lower fascia in the front and back, along with LED Daytime Running Lights and an emphatic double arch front grille. The improved rear legroom is the major change inside. A notable addition is the Around View Monitor with front and rear sonar as with the QX60.
As for the drivetrain, the new QX50 is propelled by the same 3.7 L engine that drives the Q50 top-end sedan, with 326 hp and 361 Nm of torque. It is also mated to a 7-speed automatic tranny with an electronically adaptive ability to shift according to an individual’s driving style. The intelligent all wheel drive (AWD) helps achieve optimum traction to all wheels without compromising the sporty feel of a rear wheel drive during most part of the drive.
The QX50 LWB starts from AED 173,000.
Overall, there don’t seem to be any revolutionary changes in the new models. However, that isn’t to underestimate the comfort of these family vehicles. For those who felt that the exterior design of the earlier models weren’t exciting enough, the new QX 50 and 60 offers a package that tides over those issues.
[With editorial inputs from Georgina Paul]
