Upgrading cars can be exciting, but sometimes the newer model doesn’t quite capture the magic of the old one. Recently, I traded in my trusted 2015 Infiniti QX60 Deluxe Touring for the 2023 Luxe trim, eager to experience the latest advancements. While the 2023 QX60 boasts some noticeable improvements, particularly in aesthetics and audio quality, there are aspects where I find myself missing my older model. This review dives into my personal experience, comparing the two QX60 models side-by-side.
The 2023 Infiniti QX60 definitely presents a more modern face to the world. The updated exterior styling is sleek and contemporary, a clear departure from the 2015 model’s design. Stepping inside, the audio system in the 2023 Luxe trim is a significant leap forward. The sound is richer and more immersive than the Bose speakers in my 2015 QX60, likely due to optimized speaker placement and tuning. According to specifications, the most substantial changes lie under the hood with a new transmission type and enhanced towing capacity. The interior has also been completely redesigned, presenting a learning curve in terms of button and control locations. Some of these changes are welcome, others less so, but overall, it’s a matter of familiarization.
However, the 2023 QX60 also introduces some less favorable changes, at least from my perspective as a previous owner. Despite the official specs suggesting similar front seat room, the 2023 model feels more compact from the driver’s seat. The outward view seems narrower, possibly due to a more aggressively raked windshield, creating a somewhat confined feeling compared to the airier 2015 model.
One of the most concerning changes for me is the alteration in safety assist features. While both models offer driver assistance systems, the 2023 QX60’s implementation feels less reassuring. My 2015 model had a pre-collision system that would not only warn but also actively brake and even stiffen the gas pedal if it detected a rapidly approaching vehicle ahead. This proactive system is absent in the 2023 Luxe trim. While it does offer warnings if your speed is excessively higher than the car in front, it lacks the automatic emergency braking in scenarios where the speed difference is less drastic. This omission of self-braking in potentially dangerous situations is a significant drawback for me, as I had come to rely on and appreciate this feature in my 2015 QX60. Additionally, the steering wheel in the 2023 model is smaller, another detail requiring adjustment.
In conclusion, while the 2023 Infiniti QX60 Luxe trim brings modern aesthetics and improved audio, it also presents a different driving experience and, in my opinion, a less robust pre-collision safety system compared to the 2015 Deluxe Touring model. For now, I find myself leaning towards keeping my 2015 QX60 for as long as possible and waiting to see how future iterations of this generation evolve.
