Latest news with #QX60
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
As Its Parent Company Stumbles, Infiniti Hopes to Shine
Infiniti, like its parent company Nissan Motor Corporation, is in the midst of a pivotal year. The premium arm of the Japanese company has fresh product to offer customers and a lineup that is bringing in more affluent buyers than ever before in North America. Deliveries of the redesigned, full-size, three-row Infiniti QX80 are ongoing and a refreshed QX60 is making its way to dealer lots nationwide. In the next fiscal year, Infiniti is expected to begin selling its new QX65 SUV, and two years later, an all-electric Infiniti SUV will come to market. "This is a very important year for Infiniti. We have now the QX80 at full speed. We're going to have QX80 for the full year," Tiago Castro, vice president of Infiniti Americas, told Newsweek. "We had the best-ever QX80 month in February and the best-ever March, which made the best-ever first quarter of the calendar year for QX80. So that tells me that we're building the momentum," he said. QX60, a midsize three-row SUV, is more popular with U.S. audiences in 2025 than the QX80. Its design and technology refresh is focused on lifting it in a fashion similar to the success the company has had with QX80. "What we're trying to do with QX60 with this refresh is bringing the design cues of QX80 into the QX60 so they're really showing that family resemblance. And then parallel to this, bring all the same technology, things like the Google infrastructure that supports our IT system that gives your ability to do so much with the Klipsch audio system with up to 20 speakers, which is pretty amazing," Castro said. The company will introduce Sport versions of both SUVs, a package that adds darkened fascia and wheels to the model in place of brighter finishes. Unique upholstery options and badging are also included. "These next few years are make-or-break for Infiniti. Once a legitimate contender in the U.S. luxury space, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s with performance-oriented sedans and a clear design identity, the brand has since lost momentum and market relevance. Years of underinvestment, shifting leadership, and an unclear product vision have left Infiniti struggling for identity in a crowded luxury market dominated by German, Korean, and even electric startups," Paul Waatti, director of industry analysis at AutoPacific, told Newsweek. Castro is relatively new to his role. He had one full day on the job before the Trump administration's first major tariff announcement. "It's been very educational," he said. Instead of standing still and taking time to settle into the role, Castro dove in and took immediate action. "I've been meeting with dealers throughout the country. We set up Zoom calls. I met over 20 of them the other day in Nashville. We had dinner with another ten," he said ahead of the New York International Auto Show in mid-April. He relayed that the dealers have expressed to him that the QX80 is "extremely exciting." Castro said: "It started to build momentum, and we needed to stay consistent, focused on that model to really create a halo for this brand. And, they believe the QX60 now has a lot more potential than we have shown [in the past]. So, we need to work together with the retailers to continue to consistently deliver results and build momentum and let customers know how great the product is, but more importantly, how great the client experience is." Reports late last year indicated that Nissan Motor Corp. was on the brink of bankruptcy. On May 13, the automaker revealed the Re:Nissan plan, a pathway forward to enhance performance and create a leaner, more agile business. There is considerable cost savings planned for the current fiscal year. This and future restructuring under the plan is expected to create "a framework to secure operating profitability and free cash flow in the automotive business by fiscal year 2026," the company said in a press release at the time. Despite the very public woes of Nissan Motor Corp., Castro said, "There's a lot of optimism. The new management team coming in with Christian Meunier [Nissan America's chairman who was appointed in January], who is extremely focused on product. He believes in Infiniti wholeheartedly, and the new [Nissan Motor Corp.] CEO Ivan Espinosa. In fact, Christian, Ivan and I worked together for three years in Brazil. So, we know each other well. Ivan is very aligned with this direction. So, we're going to build a product plan that will continue to build on the momentum." Grille of the 2026 Infiniti QX60. Grille of the 2026 Infiniti QX60. Infiniti Waatti said: "Compounding the challenge facing Infiniti is the instability of parent company Nissan. As Nissan battles global restructuring, resource constraints, and a still-fragile brand perception, Infiniti is left walking a tightrope—tasked with reinventing itself while relying on a parent brand fighting its own battles." "That said, the next phase offers a narrow but real opportunity. If Infiniti can capitalize on electrification, modern design, and an improved ownership experience, while finally delivering products that compete head-to-head with luxury stalwarts, it may reclaim relevance. But make no mistake: this is a final proving ground. There's little room left for incrementalism or misfires," he said.
Motor 1
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The 2026 Infiniti QX60 Sport Doesn't Bring Back What We Wanted
Nissan may be in dire straits , but it's not giving up on its luxury brand. Several new or updated Infiniti models are coming, and the 2026 QX60 leads the pack. The company must be strapped for cash, however, as the mid-cycle update isn't as comprehensive as most facelifts in this segment. For the new model year, the lineup expands to include a Sport trim. Though it's essentially a cosmetic package. The Sport trim isn't bringing back the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 that powered the QX60 through the 2024 model year. Infiniti is sticking with the turbocharged variable-compression four-cylinder, a 2.0-liter unit, still with 268 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque. It's down by 27 hp but up 16 lb-ft compared to the larger engine. A nine-speed automatic transmission carries over, sending power to both axles in the QX60 Sport, though lesser trims still offer front-wheel drive. 2026 Infiniti QX60 Sport Photo by: Infiniti To help the Sport stand out, Infiniti gives it a sharper-looking grille and black body accents. Unique 20-inch wheels and a subtle 'S' badge on the tailgate are also exclusive to this trim. Exciting stuff, I know. Curiously, the rear Infiniti badge below the wiper has been deleted, not just on the Sport, but also on the high-end Autograph trim, which now features an updated grille. Infiniti claims the larger QX80 inspires these mild styling tweaks for its BMW X5 rival. Updates include an illuminated front badge, extra LED segments in the daytime running lights, and red reflectors repositioned lower at the back. The rear bumper's upper section is now body-colored. Redesigned side skirts are part of the nip and tuck. Even the base Pure trim now gets standard 20-inch wheels, replacing the previous 18-inch set. The higher-end Luxe and Autograph trims come with newly designed alloys of the same size. The range-topping Autograph also features a light curtain that projects Infiniti's logo and geometric shapes on the ground when the vehicle is unlocked. Rounding out the exterior changes is a new Deep Emerald paint option. The Sport and Autograph trims also receive a two-tone treatment with a black upper body section. 2026 Infiniti QX60 Sport Photo by: Infiniti Inside, changes are minimal, though Infiniti now offers a new Stone Gray upholstery option. The Sport trim has seats wrapped in Dusk Blue leather, paired with a black headliner and black open-pore ash wood with a metal inlay, shared with the Autograph. The more affordable Pure and Luxe trims use a silver metallic weave. Infiniti doesn't mention the Sensory trim as being available for 2026. Opting for the Autograph unlocks the optional ProPILOT Assist 2.1 driver assistance system. It works on select freeways by taking over acceleration, braking, and steering. On the tech side, a new surround-view camera system is standard from the Luxe trim upward. To sweeten the deal, a 16-speaker Klipsch audio system comes with the Luxe and Sport, while the Autograph can be upgraded to a 20-speaker setup. 2026 Infiniti QX60 59 Source: Infiniti The 2026 QX60 will arrive at dealerships this summer, with standard second-row captain's chairs in the Sport and Autograph trims. Otherwise, the Genesis GV80 competitor has a second-row bench seat, allowing it to carry seven people. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but for reference, the outgoing model starts at $50,200 for the Pure trim and goes up to $66,150 for the Autograph, before options. If you're willing to sacrifice some rear practicality for added style, a swoopier QX65 is coming. Expect it to cost more, as coupe-style SUVs typically command a premium over their donor vehicles. RIP These Infiniti Models: Dead: Infiniti QX50 and QX55 Dead: Infiniti Q50 Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Infiniti Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Edmunds
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Edmunds
2026 Infiniti QX60 Gains Google Built-In Tech and a Bangin' Stereo
Infiniti will offer the QX60 in Pure, Luxe, Sport and Autograph trim levels, all of which ride on 20-inch wheels, killing off the puny 18s that were previously standard on the base model. Across the board, every QX60 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque as well as a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available. Inside, a pair of 12.3-inch displays span the dashboard, with the right one housing an updated multimedia system with the Google Built-In suite. Standard on all QX60 trims, this software uses Google Maps for navigation, as well as Google Assistant voice commands. We've used this tech in other vehicles, and we expect it to be just as helpful in the QX60. Another feature brought down from the full-size Infiniti QX80 SUV is a Klipsch premium audio system. A 16-speaker setup is standard on Luxe and Sport trims, while the top-of-the-line QX60 Autograph gets a 20-speaker setup, including those awesome headrest-mounted speakers.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
10 Safest Electric Vehicles for Families This Year
With more space, improved driving range on a single charge and fewer maintenance worries, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a more popular choice for families. But safety matters more than ever and not all EVs are created equal. Trending Now: For You: A recent study by The Texas Law Dog set out to rank the safest options for families in 2025. Each EV was evaluated for its fatal crash rate per 1,000 vehicles, how many child seats it can handle and how safe those seats are judged to be once installed, per Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rankings. Volume and passenger capacity also weighed in, because a family car that's safe but cramped doesn't cut it. The result is a safety score out of 100. Below are the ten of the safest EVs with the highest scores. Safety score: 91.32 Average price: $61,695 Crashes per 1000 cars: 0.7554 Child Seat Safety Score: Good+ The Q7 leads with a high safety score and a low crash rate. At $61,695, it's not the cheapest option, but it delivers on every metric that counts. Check Out: Safety score: 86.64 Average price: $48,485 Crashes per 1000 cars: 1.6183 Child Seat Safety Score: Good+ The Pilot has strong child seat compatibility and a Good+ rating across all four available seat positions. Its higher crash rate of 1.6 per 1,000 cars pulls the score down slightly, but the $48,485 price point makes it a practical option. Safety score: 85.76 Average price: $42,765 Crashes per 1000 cars: 0.7883 Child Seat Safety Score: Good+ The Ascent hits a balance between safety and value. At $42,765, it's the most affordable in the top three, while still seating seven and offering 153.50 cubic feet of room. Safety score: 84.11 Average price: $41,406 Crashes per 1000 cars: 0.1057 Child Seat Safety Score: Acceptable The Palisade offers one of the lowest crash rates in the top five, at just 0.11 per 1,000 vehicles. Three child seats fit, although the child seat safety score is only Acceptable. Safety score: 83.28 Average price: $46,725 Crashes per 1000 cars: 0.9081 Child Seat Safety Score: Good+ The QX60 balances safety and luxury, seating seven with 140.60 cubic feet of space. Safety score: 80.46 Average price: $45,700 Crashes per 1000 cars: 2.8139 Child Seat Safety Score: Good+ The most spacious EV on the list at 163.60 cubic feet, the Odyssey also has the highest crash rate, at 2.8 per 1,000. Safety score: 80.32 Average price: $38,220 Crashes per 1000 cars: 0.0061 Child Seat Safety Score: Good+ This compact option has the lowest crash rate of all the EVs on the list, at 0.0061 per 1,000 vehicles. Safety score: 79.08 Average price: $48,490 Crashes per 1000 cars: 0.0482 Child Seat Safety Score: Acceptable While the Model Y remains a safe pick, Tesla's broader reputation has taken a hit as Musk's political behavior draws criticism, according to CNN — raising concerns about long-term brand stability and resale value. Safety score: 78.96 Average price: $64,275 Crashes per 1000 cars: 1.6217 Child Seat Safety Score: Good+ This premium SUV costs $64,275 and seats seven, fitting three child seats with a Good+ child seat safety score. Safety score: 77.63 Average price: $46,195 Crashes per 1000 cars: 0.0255 Child Seat Safety Score: Good The X1 rounds out the list with a safety score of 77.63 and the second lowest crash rate at 0.0255 per 1,000. More From GOBankingRates 6 Used Luxury SUVs That Are a Good Investment for Retirees How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 7 Overpriced Grocery Items Frugal People Should Quit Buying in 2025 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Sources The Texas Law Dog, 'The Top 10 Safest Vehicles For Families.' This article originally appeared on 10 Safest Electric Vehicles for Families This Year
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'Tariff free' cars are being advertised at dealerships. But for how long?
You don't need to look hard to find out how car dealers are responding to tariffs — they're advertising their approach in commercials, ads, and dealer websites. One method gaining popularity is car dealerships promoting tariff-free cars to buyers as a sales tactic in the competitive new car sales landscape. President Trump's 25% tariffs on auto imports, which started on April 3, have put foreign automakers on the back foot. Analysts see prices jumping as much as $3,000 for cheaper cars and up to $20,000 for luxury autos, and dealers know even the smallest price hike is bad news for sales. Taking the tariff heat off is one way to go. And the dealers have different tactics within this playbook. 'No Added Tariffs. 100% Tariff Free,' says the banner on the website of Mercedes-Benz ( of Calabasas in Southern California. Mercedes has said it will cover the costs of tariffs for model year 2025 cars, and it likely has enough inventory in hand that was imported before the tariffs to keep that promise. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Infiniti of Englewood in New Jersey posted on its site, 'Invest in an Infiniti without new tariffs,' likely pointing buyers to cars that were imported earlier and the all-new QX60 SUV, which is made in the US. And Porsche ( of Tyson's Corner in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., beckons buyers to 'select from an array of new vehicles brought into the US before April 3rd,' when tariffs were imposed. 'I think it is a good sales tactic, but keep in mind right now they are tariff-free cars ... because the tariff has not started yet, and cars that are being produced will have tariffs, so I'm not so sure how they sustain that marketing,' said Tom Maoli, owner of Celebrity Motor Car Company, a dealership that operates Lexus, BMW, and Ford showrooms. Maoli, a Republican who worked on Trump's first-term transition team, is not a fan of the tariff approach, and his stores aren't using the tariff-free ploy. 'This is a very short-term marketing plan,' he said, adding that when earlier imported car inventory runs out, and brands like Mercedes stop paying the tariffs, there's only one place for it to go. 'Manufacturers are going to have no choice but to pass it on to the consumer.' A Southern California dealer that operates a couple of mainstream franchises doesn't like the policy either, but said there might be a choice. 'We did [advertise tariff-free cars] in an email blast or two but have since stopped,' the dealer said, opting to remain anonymous. 'Personally, I don't like that kind of stuff, but if everyone is doing it, you sort of have to remain competitive.' Mercedes thinks the plan is a good one, and it intends to keep it going. 'No other OEM has made that commitment to protect an entire model year — I can't tell you how much that means in terms of what we'll absorb in cost, but it's a lot, right?' Mercedes US chief marketing officer Melody Lee said at the New York Auto Show on Thursday. 'But we're doing that because we know our dealers and our customers need some reassurance of what's going on.' Lee added that model year 2026 price protection 'is still something that we're discussing too.' Infiniti (7201.T) said the company is going to keep prices steady in the US, at least for the short term. 'We announced to the whole [Infiniti] network last Friday that we will keep MSRPs flat, tariff-free, if you will, until June 2,' Infiniti Americas vice president Tiago Castro said to Yahoo Finance. 'That doesn't mean that June 3, we're going to change — all we wanted to confirm is, as we're studying this and we're trying to navigate and identify the best way to move forward, we don't want to make any drastic changes that will impact clients or retailers.' Castro said part of that plan is to lean into QX60 production at Nissan's plant in Tennessee for domestic production and use excess capacity in Mexico to supply the Canadian market, as it won't get tariffed as it would coming into the US. And the all-new QX65 will be assembled in Tennessee too. The White House may point to this and claim that a new Infiniti nameplate coming to the US for production is exactly what tariffs are intended to achieve. But for now, dealers say consumers are scared, and it's likely why more and more dealers are advertising those tariff-free cars. 'There is absolutely panic buying going on,' Maoli said. 'Consumers are trying to beat the deadline for tariffs.' The big question for consumers, dealers, and automakers is what happens in the long term if auto import tariffs become the new norm. Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram. Sign in to access your portfolio
