2027 Infiniti QX65 First Look: Everything We Know About Infiniti’s FX-Inspired Coupe SUV

There once was a time when Infiniti built vehicles that felt seriously radical. The original FX—launched in the early 2000s—was one of those cars. It arrived well before the “coupe SUV” became a global luxury trend, blending sports-car-inspired proportions with the practicality of an SUV. At the time, it felt daring and embodied Infiniti’s “bionic cheetah” aesthetic perhaps better than anything else. Two whole decades later, the luxury segment is now crowded with sloping-roof crossovers chasing that same formula. But with the all-new 2027 Infiniti QX65, Infiniti is hoping to reclaim some of that original spirit.

Inspired by the FX and positioned as a sporty fastback alternative in Infiniti’s midsize SUV lineup, the QX65 aims to combine expressive design, modern technology, and a refined driving experience into a convincing, cohesive package. Built in Smyrna, Tennessee and expected to reach dealerships in early summer this year, the new model debuts what Infiniti describes as the brand’s “next era.” Infiniti invited us to a private backgrounder for the all-new QX65, where we got an early look at the brand’s latest fastback luxury SUV—and the FX-inspired philosophy behind it. Here’s everything we know so far.

A Coupe SUV With Strong FX DNA

If the QX65 reminds you of something, there’s a good reason for that. Infiniti’s designers openly cite the original FX as a key influence for the new model’s proportions and philosophy. The QX65 adopts a dramatic fastback silhouette, with an arcing roofline that flows into a crisp rear spoiler and a wide stance created by muscular fenders and wheels pushed out toward the corners.

At the front, the SUV wears Infiniti’s latest interpretation of its “Artistry in Motion” design language, featuring a layered grille inspired by Japan’s bamboo forests and flanked by the brand’s signature “digital piano key” lighting elements. One of the most distinctive exterior touches is a new colour called Sunfire Red, which contains genuine gold-coated glass flakes embedded in the paint. Infiniti says the finish requires three separate layers of coating to achieve its shimmering effect, and that the inspiration comes from a similar red used on the Nissan GT-R—a subtle nod to the brand’s performance heritage.

From the rear, the QX65 is defined by a full-width LED tail lamp with vertical elements inspired by aircraft fins. Infiniti also hid the rear wiper inside the spoiler to keep the shape clean. Wheel sizes range from 20 inches on the “Luxe” and “Sport” trims to 21 inches on the flagship “Autograph” model, reinforcing the athletic stance and enhancing top-trim appeal.

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Three Trims: Luxe, Sport, and Autograph

The QX65 will launch in three trim levels, each targeting a slightly different interpretation of luxury and performance. The entry-level “Luxe” trim already comes well-equipped, with 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google built-in services, and Infiniti’s ProPILOT Assist driver-assistance system. “Luxe” will start at $53,990 before fees and taxes.

The “Sport” model leans further into cosmetic aggression. It swaps in gloss-black exterior accents, a more aggressive, bamboo-inspired grille mesh, and unique 20-inch black wheels. Inside, the “Sport” trim adopts a similarly darkened aesthetic, with a graphite headliner and carbonite-patterned interior trim. “Sport” will start at $55,690 before fees and taxes.

At the top of the range sits “Autograph,” which transforms the cabin into something closer to a first-class lounge. It adds semi-aniline leather seating with asymmetrical quilting inspired by Japanese kimono folds, open-pore wood trim, heated rear seats, and massaging front seats. “Autograph” also features a larger 21-inch wheel design and satin-chrome exterior accents, distinguishing it visually from the “Sport” model’s blacked-out theme. “Autograph” will start at $62,590 before fees and taxes. Destination and handling fees are priced at $1,545 across the board.

A Cabin Focused on Space and Hospitality

Despite its coupe-inspired roofline, Infiniti says practicality remains a priority. The QX65 offers 35.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 67.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, placing it competitively within the midsize luxury SUV segment. The second-row seats slide, recline, and fold to prioritize either passenger comfort or cargo flexibility depending on the situation. Many of the cabin’s enhanced proportions can be attributed to the QX65’s transversely-mounted powertrain, which leaves plenty of extra room for occupant comfort, unlike the original FX, which Infiniti’s own designers admit suffered from a cramped cabin.

Inside, Infiniti continues its focus on what the brand calls “elevated hospitality.” The cabin can be configured with 64-colour ambient lighting, including four preset themes inspired by Japanese seasons. Passengers are also greeted by an animated welcome sequence when the vehicle unlocks. Exterior lights illuminate in stages—beginning with the Infiniti emblem and moving through the front lighting elements—while available Infiniti Light Path projections create wing-like patterns on the pavement beside the vehicle.

Technology Built Around Google Integration

The QX65’s interior tech centers around dual 12.3-inch displays, one serving as the digital instrument cluster and the other operating as the infotainment system. Infiniti has integrated Google built in, allowing drivers to use Google Maps directly from the dashboard, download apps through Google Play, and interact with the vehicle using natural voice commands via Google Assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with four USB-C ports and a new Qi2 wireless charging pad capable of up to 15 watts of charging power that also features a fan to prevent devices from overheating.

Audio is another area Infiniti has clearly prioritized. Two Klipsch sound systems are available: a 16-speaker Klipsch Premium audio system (Sport) or a 20-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere system (Autograph). The flagship system produces up to 1,200 watts of power and introduces “Individual Audio,” which routes navigation prompts or phone calls to the driver through headrest speakers while passengers continue listening to music. Drivers can also customize the sound profile through a Personalized Sound app, which conducts a hearing test and automatically adjusts audio output to match the user’s hearing characteristics.

VC-Turbo Power and Standard AWD

Under the hood, every QX65 is powered by Infiniti’s 2.0-litre VC-Turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque. The engine uses variable compression technology—one of the first production systems capable of dynamically adjusting compression ratios between 8.0:1 and 14.0:1 depending on performance or efficiency demands. Power is routed through a 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, which comes standard across the lineup.

Infiniti says the transmission has been calibrated with a sportier shift schedule to deliver stronger acceleration and a more decisive response when merging or passing. The QX65 can also tow up to 6,000 pounds when properly equipped. To enhance the driving experience, the vehicle uses Active Noise Cancellation and Active Sound Enhancement to filter out unwanted noise and amplify more desirable engine sounds.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Infiniti has packed the QX65 with a wide array of standard driver assistance features. Standard systems include: Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Lane Departure Prevention, Rear parking sensors, High Beam Assist, and ProPILOT Assist adaptive driving technology. Higher trims add advanced camera systems such as 3D Around View Monitor, Front Wide View, and Invisible Hood View, which digitally reconstruct the terrain beneath the vehicle’s front for off-road visibility. The top Autograph trim can also be equipped with ProPILOT Assist 2.1, enabling hands-free driving in certain freeway conditions while the driver remains attentive and ready to intervene.

Where the QX65 Fits in the Luxury SUV Market

The QX65 will enter the highly competitive D-segment luxury SUV class, one of the most important battlegrounds in the modern premium market. That puts it squarely against established names like the Lexus RX, Lincoln Nautilus, Cadillac XT5, and Genesis GV80—vehicles that have defined the expectations for comfort, technology, and everyday usability in this category.

What sets the QX65 apart from its rivals is its overarching design philosophy. While most of its rivals prioritize upright SUV proportions and traditional luxury cues, Infiniti is leaning more heavily into “sport-forward” style. The fastback silhouette aims to give the QX65 a more expressive presence than the RX or XT5, positioning it closer to the emotional design territory that originally made the FX such a standout.

That strategy may appeal to buyers who want something a little more visually distinctive than the conservative luxury crossovers that dominate the segment today. The RX remains the benchmark for reliability and refinement; the GV80 pushes the class forward in interior craftsmanship and with its rear-biased drivetrain; and the Nautilus has recently made a splash with its dramatic, tech-heavy cabin. The QX65, meanwhile, appears to be chasing a slightly different formula—blending the practicality expected of a midsize luxury SUV with a stronger emphasis on design and driver engagement.

Final Thoughts: Infiniti’s Attempt at a Fashionable Renaissance

For Infiniti, the QX65 represents more than just another addition to its SUV lineup. The brand has spent the past several years redefining its design identity and repositioning itself within the luxury market. By reviving the fastback SUV formula that the FX helped popularize, Infiniti is tapping into its own heritage while aligning with modern market trends.

It’s a strategy that will feel familiar to longtime enthusiasts—including readers of our partner site, Road Ethos, who celebrate the original FX as one of the brand’s most distinctive creations. Whether the QX65 can recreate that same magic remains to be seen. But on paper, it combines the right ingredients: expressive styling, meaningful technology upgrades, and a renewed focus on driver engagement, even if it lacks the rear-biased, V6- or even V8-powered driving dynamics that the original FX championed.

And if Infiniti’s ambitions for the QX65 play out as intended, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter for the brand—one that reconnects its future with the spirit that made its past so compelling. For enthusiasts who remember the FX era, and for readers of Road Ethos, who still appreciate bold automotive design, that alone makes the QX65 a new vehicle worth keeping an eye on.