by New Infiniti QX65 to get more powerful V6 engine
The new Infiniti QX65 crossover hasn’t even appeared in dealerships yet, but the brand already has a plan to make it more powerful, faster, and, they hope, more popular. What does the brand, which is trying to compete with Lexus, intend to do? Add cylinders.
According to new data, Infiniti plans to introduce a QX65 version with a V6 engine in 2027, approximately a year after the start of sales of the coupe-crossover. The reason is simple and even a bit old-fashioned. As one Infiniti insider noted to Auto News, for American buyers regarding perceived power, “the V6 is still king.”
Infiniti wants to have a sport version for every model in the future, and the V6 engine makes that much easier.
Starting with a four-cylinder turbo
When the QX65 debuts later this year, it will initially receive a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 268 hp. This unit is already installed on the more conventional QX60 and will be paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel or all-wheel drive. This should be quite sufficient for daily driving. But “sufficient” is not very exciting and does not correspond to the premium class.
The rescue six-cylinder engine
This is where the V6 comes in. The upgraded version is expected to use the familiar 3.5-liter engine from the Nissan Pathfinder producing 284 hp, but tuned to deliver around 300 horsepower in Infiniti’s version.
Such a configuration will also make it easier for Infiniti to launch a more powerful Red Sport version later. The brand hinted that over time it wants to have sport modifications across its entire lineup, and the V6 engine makes achieving this much easier than a four-cylinder engine.
Model positioning and interior
The QX65 itself occupies a niche between the discontinued QX50 and QX55 models and the larger three-row QX60. It received a sleek, coupe-like roofline and is designed to attract buyers who want something sportier than a family car but still practical enough for transporting bicycles, golf clubs, or occasional trips. The interior is expected to mirror the QX60 with two 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and multimedia system.
An attempt to revive interest in the brand
Whether the QX65 can actually help revive Infiniti remains to be seen. The brand debuted in the US in 1989, the same year as Lexus, but Toyota’s prestigious division sold over 370,000 cars across a dozen models in America in 2025. Infiniti sold fewer than 53,000, and after discontinuing the QX50 and QX55, it currently has only two 2026 model year vehicles — the QX60 and QX80.
The presentation of the QX65 with a V6 engine next year is seen as a key attempt to attract new customers and improve the brand’s image. The success of this strategy will depend not only on technical specifications but also on the overall competitiveness of the car in the luxury crossover market, dominated by European and Japanese manufacturers.
