Up Close With the 2027 Infiniti QX65: Less Convenient, But It Looks Good

What Car Shoppers Need to Know

• The 2027 Infiniti QX65’s swoopy roofline takes away from overall cargo space but doesn’t seriously impact backseat headroom.
• The turbocharged 2.0-liter powertrain remains a point of concern, but we’ll reserve final judgment on that for when we drive it.

The whole “SUV coupe” idea started by German automakers has had its share of winners and losers, and regardless of what you think of the whole concept (charging you more money for less cargo and occupant room), they have their share of fans. Yet Infiniti seems keen to try its hand at the class with the new 2027 QX65, built off the QX60 mid-size SUV but with a chopped top for that more athletic look. I checked out the 2027 Infiniti QX65 at the 2026 New York International Auto Show to see if its sleek shape affects interior and cargo room.

Related: More 2026 New York Auto Show Coverage

I typically have not been among the SUV-coupe fans — the idea of chopping the roofline of a tall-riding SUV into something racier but less useful strikes me as daft, especially since there isn’t an SUV yet built (including the Mercedes-AMG nuttiness) that is as good to drive as its lower-riding sedan counterpart.

I Don’t Hate Its Looks

Normally, I roll my eyes and sigh whenever I see such a vehicle, as it is patently ridiculous — there’s nothing athletic about a high-riding, four-cylinder-powered luxury SUV based off a front-wheel-drive platform regardless of what you do to its roofline. But you know what? I don’t hate this QX65.

The looks are well proportioned, with Infiniti using some careful trim trickery to make the roofline look swoopier than it actually is. Notice how in the side views the roofline is accented by a chrome arch — but the actual black-painted roof still extends up and beyond it. It still ends abruptly in a sharply sloped rear window, but it does maintain a good amount of the QX60’s overhead space and height. And that’s a good thing for anyone sitting in the backseat.

Definitely Nice Inside

The trouble with SUV coupes is that the chopped roof usually leads to compromised backseat headroom, but that’s not really the case in the QX65. My chunky 5-foot-10 frame is able to sit in the backseat without any problem, enjoying the plentiful legroom, decent headroom and panoramic moonroof without brushing up against the headliner. Look behind you and you definitely notice the effect the swoopier roofline has on the cargo area: It’s still decently sized, but that slanted rear definitely curbs the amount of room you have back there.

The rest of the interior is lovely, with beautiful quilted deep red leather, high-zoot trim and impressive digital displays. We’re not huge fans of the Infiniti touch panel for climate controls as it requires you to take your eyes off the road to operate, but at least it’s a dedicated panel and not integrated into the central touchscreen. Oddly enough, the rear-seat climate-control panel uses buttons; we wish the front-seat climate controls did, too.

We Hope It’s Better Than the QX60 to Drive

No matter, the QX65 isn’t really being pitched as a family car; it’s being pitched as a lifestyle vehicle for folks who might remember the old FX35/45, the “bionic cheetah” as the marketing people of the time called it.

But whereas the old FX was a rear-wheel-drive platform with V-6 and V-8 options, genuinely sharp handling and had the goods to deliver on the idea of an athletic SUV, the QX65 (on paper at least) already disappoints. It might look racier, but the turbocharged 2.0-liter variable-compression engine has not impressed us in the QX60, nor has the behavior of that SUV’s transmission. It’s poky to downshift, doesn’t respond well and isn’t exactly one of the more impressive powertrains on the market. Infiniti says that the QX65’s powertrain has been retuned for better responsiveness, but we’ll reserve judgment on that until we’ve had the opportunity to drive one.

Overall, the QX65 is a nice addition to the rather sparse Infiniti lineup and should generate some showroom traffic and chatter. Whether or not it’s a worthy successor to the FX, however, remains to be seen, but we’re skeptical. Thankfully, today’s buyer likely doesn’t remember the FX of 20 years ago — and is likely going to be happy with a more stylish take on the QX60 just on looks alone.

More on Infiniti From Cars.com:

• Thinly Veiled Infiniti QX65 Monograph Concept Previews Upcoming SUV Coupe
• 2026 Infiniti QX60 Quick Spin: Incrementally Improving
• How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2025 Infiniti QX60?
• Nissan, Infiniti Outline Plans for New Models, Tech Updates Through 2027
• Which Car Brands Offer the Best Dealership Service?
• Add Cars.com as a Preferred Source on Google

Related Video:

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.