2022 INFINITI QX60 vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

Infiniti completely overhauled the QX60 for the 2022 model year, introducing a new exterior design, interior, powertrains, and technologies. This redesign paralleled updates to its Nissan cousin, the Pathfinder, as both SUVs utilized the Nissan D platform. The QX60’s transformation began with the 2013 JX, which was renamed in 2014 when Infiniti shifted its naming conventions. The 2022 QX60 marked the start of the crossover’s second generation, featuring a dramatic and attractive exterior with a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and oversized air intakes. The long hood and steeply-raked windshield conveyed elegance, while the roof appeared to float above the cabin due to blacked-out pillars. The rear elevation was tasteful, with "INFINITI" spelled out in chrome letters across the liftgate.

Inside, the QX60 felt wide and open, with horizontal lines and layers emphasizing this spaciousness. The Autograph trim level featured quilted leather upholstery on the seats and dash, adding a touch of luxury. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display was perfectly placed to keep the driver’s eyes close to the road, and the TFT instrument panel delivered crisp graphics. The center console's hard buttons and controls were simple and intuitive. The QX60 models for the U.S. were built at the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, showcasing high craftsmanship and build quality.

Volkswagen made minor modifications to the 2022 Atlas, following numerous updates in 2021. The lineup was simplified to SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line trim levels, with most models featuring more standard equipment than the previous year. Pricing ranged from $34,355 to $51,505, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with extra-cost Aurora Red paint and second-row captain’s chairs, brought the price to $53,790.

The SEL Premium had standard R-Line design elements, including 21-inch wheels with a machined finish, enhancing the Atlas’s upscale look. The big and boxy design was appealing, though some wheel choices failed to match the SUV’s bold styling. The interior displayed simplicity with a premium flair, but many materials were crafted to a low cost point, with hard, shiny, and slippery plastic surfaces. The storage areas needed linings to prevent unwanted noise, vibration, and harshness, and low-gloss coatings on hard surfaces would have improved perceived quality.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous CVT, which significantly improved the driving experience. The new transmission shifted cleanly and crisply, enhancing acceleration and deceleration. The familiar 3.5-liter V6 engine, naturally aspirated and direct-injected, produced 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy was estimated at 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined for FWD models and 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for AWD models. The reworked suspension, with MacPherson struts up front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, provided a smooth and serene ride. The QX60 excelled on highways and suburban streets, offering generous leg and headroom in the second and third rows.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SE, SE with Technology, and SEL came with a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. The eight-speed automatic transmission distributed power to the wheels, with a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 22-23 mpg combined. The 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on higher trims, produced 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. However, the V6’s acceleration was leisurely, and its fuel economy was 19-20 mpg combined. The Atlas offered various driving modes and an Active Control system for different conditions, but the V6 lacked power, efficiency, and refinement. The SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels provided impressive grip but resulted in a busy ride and road noise.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, though not a minivan, offered functionality akin to one, with four traditional doors and a rear liftgate. The three-row SUV provided ample storage, charging ports, and comfort for all passengers. The center console featured a cubby for smartphones, cupholders, and covered storage. The second-row seats slid fore and aft, with a 60/40 split bench or twin captain’s chairs in the Autograph trim. The third row was accessible and comfortable for adults. The QX60 offered 14.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, expandable to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, with the discontinuation of the base S trim, featured V-Tex leatherette seating, heated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat as standard. Higher trims added tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, a panoramic sunroof, genuine leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats. The Atlas’s roomy interior and comfortable seats accommodated seven people, including adults in the third row. The low step-in height made entry and exit easy. The Atlas offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with the second row folded, surpassing the full-size Nissan Armada.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 came with impressive standard and available technology. Full LED headlights, running lights, taillamps, and a center high-mounted stop light provided visibility, with adaptive front lighting available. The power liftgate was motion-activated on higher trims. The 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display featured wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, with an AT&T WiFi hotspot connecting up to seven devices. Six USB charge points were standard, with seven in higher trims. A wireless charging pad was standard on Sensory and Autograph models. The navigation system, standard on all but the base trim, used TomTom map data. The QX60 also featured a simplified version of Alexa for voice commands. The Autograph trim included a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror. A nine-speaker audio system was standard, with a 17-speaker Bose system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The Atlas SE had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with last-generation infotainment, while higher trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, SiriusXM 360L, and Car-Net connected services with Amazon Alexa integration. Car-Net offered three plans: Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot. The MyVW smartphone app provided access to Car-Net services, roadside assistance, and maintenance scheduling. Higher trims included a navigation system and a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the infotainment system had a slow startup, a cumbersome tuning process, and unreliable voice recognition.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the previous generation received high ratings. The QX60 included standard safety features such as front- and side-impact airbags, roof-mounted curtain airbags, knee airbags, and advanced driver assistance systems. ProPilot Assist was standard on all trims except Pure, with optional features like blind-spot intervention, lane-departure warning, lane-departure prevention, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered an impressive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, and adaptive front lighting. The SEL Premium R-Line included a surround-view camera system and Park Assist. However, the parking sensors and Lane Assist had some issues. The Atlas received decent crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.