2022 INFINITI QX60 vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Infiniti had completely overhauled the QX60 for the 2022 model year, which included a fresh exterior look, an upgraded interior, new powertrains, and cutting-edge technologies. This revamp mirrored updates seen in the Nissan Pathfinder, as both SUVs utilized the Nissan D platform. The QX60’s lineage started with the 2013 JX before it was rebranded in 2014 to align with Infiniti's naming conventions. The 2022 QX60 introduced the second generation of this crossover SUV.

The exterior overhaul lent the QX60 a bold and stylish look. The eye-catching front end featured a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and large air intakes surrounding the grille. This new appearance bore a resemblance to concept cars, marked with chrome embellishments. The side view presented a long hood and steeply-raked windshield, adding to its elegant profile. The design was enhanced further by the Autograph trim level’s contrasting black roof, creating a floating roof effect. Wheel sizes ranged from 18 to 20 inches, depending on the trim level. The rear view maintained a tasteful look, with "INFINITI" spelled out in chrome letters on the liftgate.

However, the luxury-focused Autograph trim level had chromed panels on the rear fascia corners that many felt attempted a look of faux exhaust outlets. Fortunately, owners who found these distasteful could opt for the matte black panels available on lower trims.

Inside, the QX60 felt wide and spacious. The dashboard design emphasized horizontal lines, creating an open feel. The Autograph trim level featured quilted leather upholstery on both the seats and the dash, which provided a luxurious ambiance. A 12.3-inch touchscreen was centrally positioned atop the dashboard for easy eye access. The TFT instrument panel offered clear graphics and vital statistics, while the center console's hard buttons were user-friendly.

These U.S. models were crafted at Nissan’s Smyrna, Tennessee plant, showcasing a high level of craftsmanship and build quality that's expected from Infiniti vehicles.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design ethos, prioritizing clean and simple lines. Despite this attempt at sophisticated minimalism, it didn't cater much to buyers looking to make a bold statement. Flashier elements from the factory included a Firenze Red paint option and 23-inch multi-spoke wheels, although it was anticipated that a future SVR version with a twin-turbo V8 would provide a more attention-grabbing aesthetic.

Our review vehicle sported a subdued Eiger Gray exterior with silver 23-inch wheels and a subtle Black Exterior Pack. Inside, it boasted a Deep Garnet and Ebony theme with aluminum and gloss black trim, exuding understated luxury.

The available SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e trims offered variations in engine performance and luxuries. Highlights of the new Range Rover Sport’s design included the slimmest premium LED headlights ever for a Land Rover, deployable flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology on the taillights for the first time. It also featured excellent aerodynamics with a coefficient of drag at 0.29, contributing to both its performance and fuel efficiency.

The interior reflected luxury with its use of sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, which filled the cabin with an intoxicating fragrance and ensured a smooth, comfortable ride.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 ditched its previous continuously variable transmission (CVT) in favor of a nine-speed automatic transmission, making a significant improvement in driving experience. The previous CVT had issues with rubber-banding and engine droning, while the nine-speed automatic offered clean and crisp shifts. However, it still required some fine-tuning for better responsiveness during passing maneuvers.

Under the hood sat Infiniti’s trusty 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque with premium unleaded fuel. Fuel economy was rated by the EPA at 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined for the FWD models, and 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for AWD versions, similar to the outgoing model.

The QX60’s suspension setup featured MacPherson struts at the front and an independent multilink system at the rear, providing a well-balanced ride. The four-wheel ventilated disc brakes came standard, along with anti-lock braking and brake assist. Its electric power steering assist delivered good feedback to the driver.

Though aware of its sizeable dimensions, the QX60 managed to control body roll effectively, ensuring a comfortable and serene ride. It wasn't designed for agile cornering but excelled on smooth highways and suburban streets, offering substantial leg and headroom throughout the cabin.

On the other hand, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to be both refined and driver-focused, though it found these goals partly mutually exclusive. It strived to merge off-road prowess with engaging on-road performance.

Two turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engines were available, with the SE Dynamic model outputting 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The lower SE P360 provided 355 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, a PHEV drivetrain exclusive to the Autobiography P440e delivered 434 horsepower and 406 lb-ft, with an estimated 51 miles of electric driving range. A limited 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 was available in the early P530 models, now off the market but possibly returning as part of the SVR lineup.

In 2024, a fully-electric version was expected to join the Range Rover Sport family, aligning with Land Rover's plans to move away from internal combustion engines.

The evaluated 395-hp inline-six variant felt powerful, with Land Rover's 5.4-second 0-60 mph claim seeming credible. It employed an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds.

The Range Rover Sport excelled in fuel efficiency for its class, with an EPA combined rating of 21 mpg. During our testing, it averaged 22.3 mpg, with an impressive 25.1 mpg achieved on a highway drive from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

Built on a new architecture, the Range Rover Sport claimed a 35% increase in torsional stiffness. The adaptive damping air suspension, which adjusted up to 500 times per second, enhanced both comfort and handling. Additional features like Dynamic mode, cornering brake control, torque vectoring, and roll stability control were designed to elevate performance.

In terms of driving dynamics, the Range Rover Sport was competent but fell short compared to sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. While agile in urban settings and remarkably silent on highways, it felt tall and heavy with too much roll in tighter curves, even with all its techno-wizardry.

Off-road, the Range Rover Sport was exceptional. With 11.1 inches of ground clearance, angle measurements suited for challenging terrain, and a 35.4-inch wading depth, it demonstrated superior capability. Advanced tech like Terrain Response, APC off-road cruise control, hill start, and hill descent control reinforced its rugged credentials.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 was almost reminiscent of a luxury minivan had it not eschewed the sliding side doors for traditional front-hinged ones and an SUV-style rear liftgate. It catered well to its passengers with ample storage, charging ports, and comfort features.

The spacious center console in the front offered a cubby for smartphones, two large cupholders, and covered storage. Additionally, a space underneath the center console provided another practical storage area due to the shift-by-wire technology.

Second-row seats rode on rails, easily sliding to allocate space between rows. Lower trims featured a 60/40 split-bench seat, while the Autograph level came with captain’s chairs and a removable center console. Access to the third row was effortless, and the space was generous enough for an adult to sit comfortably.

The QX60 provided 14.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 41.6 cubic feet with the third row down, and a maximum of 75.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. It also came with a 3,500-pound standard towing capacity, which could be increased to 6,000 pounds with an optional towing package.

Conversely, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the classic Range Rover Command Driving Position, featuring a tall and airy cabin atmosphere. The air suspension could be programmed to kneel for easier entry and exit, which was an asset for shorter individuals.

The test model featured plush Windsor leather seats with 20-way power adjustability and options like heating, ventilation, and massage. Further luxury touches included soft-closing doors and a heated steering wheel, in addition to an upgraded air purification system.

However, the rear seats were less accommodating despite increased legroom and knee clearance. Narrow door openings, bothersome hard front seatback panels, and a generally reclined seating angle detracted from passenger comfort. Rainy or dirty conditions could also pose problems for rear passengers entering or exiting.

Storage solutions inside included multiple bins and trays, though some were oddly shaped and less practical. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the seats folded. Innovative features like controls to lower the air suspension for easier loading and a full-size spare tire were also included.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 impressed with its suite of standard and available technologies. Outside, it featured full LED lighting, with adaptive front lighting and auto-leveling available on higher trims. A power liftgate was standard, with motion activation for higher trims like the Sensory and Autograph.

Infiniti’s latest InTouch Interactive display, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, was equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Standard AT&T WiFi hotspot capacity allowed connectivity for up to seven devices. USB ports were plentiful with six standard ports, and seven in higher trims. Wireless charging was also standard on Sensory and Autograph trims. The navigation system, powered by TomTom, and Infiniti InTouch services, offered via a smartphone app, provided comprehensive connectivity.

The top-tier Autograph trim level included a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror, which projected a live image from a rear camera, useful when the natural mirror view was obstructed.

Standard audio came from a nine-speaker system in Pure and Luxe trims, while a 17-speaker Bose Performance series was available in Luxe and standard in Sensory and Autograph trims.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced digital displays, including a 13.7-inch instrumentation panel and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. Wi-Fi access required an additional data plan.

Despite intuitive screen designs, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform often caused user frustration. The SUV’s native digital assistant frequently misunderstood voice commands, failing to provide directions to commonly searched locations.

However, impressive audio options, such as a Meridian sound system with up to 29 speakers and next-generation Active Noise Cancellation, highlighted the model’s strengths. The Range Rover Sport also offered a convenient wireless smartphone charging pad, though it could be tricky to access.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but its predecessor received top marks. Safety features in the 2022 model were comprehensive, including front- and side-impact airbags, curtain airbags for all three rows, knee airbags, and central seat-mounted airbags. Advanced driver assistance systems included forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, predictive forward-collision warning, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, and more. ProPilot Assist was standard in all trims except Pure, enhancing its safety credentials.

Similarly, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came loaded with advanced driving assistance systems such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, and the ClearSight Ground View camera. Wade Sensing provided extra help during water crossings.

The adaptive cruise control with steering assist received mixed reviews, being slow to respond and performing poorly on freeway curves, causing drivers to frequently override its inputs. The steering assist was found to be particularly challenging on roads with inconsistent lane markings.