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SALT LAKE CITY — Infiniti has completely redesigned the QX60 for 2022. Infiniti has long been an alternative to traditional midsize-luxury SUV offerings, and the new QX60 shows that it's here to play. I enjoyed my time with the QX60 and liked its solid build quality and attention to detail with its unique exterior and interior styling cues.

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The MSRP range for the 2022 Infiniti QX60 is $47,875-$61,375. It is available in four trim levels, with a suite of standard features that includes all-wheel drive, a new nine-speed automatic transmission and a 295-horsepower V6 engine capable of towing 6,000 pounds. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below.

Multi-mode second-row seat with a one-touch release for easy third-row access

Tri-zone climate control with microfilters

Second-row captain seats with inboard pivoting armrests

Quilted and perforated semi-aniline leather for first and second-row seats

The tested QX60 Autograph boasts strong luxury features and a composed driving nature, but also a high price tag. Given the stiff competition, the QX60 Autograph is a nice place to spend time, but may not be worth the $10,000-$15,000 premium over more spacious and luxurious SUVs — or even its lower trim levels.

The QX60 Autograph is adequately powered and distributes power well no matter the driving circumstances. The new nine-speed automatic transmission is well-tuned to the engine and the overall conservative demeanor of the car. The QX60 couldn't be described as exciting, but its linearity and docile dynamics are appreciated for commuting and highway cruising.

All QX60 trims are powered by the same naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6, producing 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The QX60 can tow up to 6,000 pounds, an increase of 1,000 pounds over the previous QX60 generation.

Fuel efficiency and/or battery range

The EPA's mpg estimates for the 2022 QX60 are 20 mpg in the city, 25 on the highway for a combined rating of 22 mpg. I found those estimates to be conservative, as I achieved near 26 mpg over 300 miles of mixed driving.

Our tester was equipped with all-wheel drive which admirably handled tight turns and rainy roads. The 2022 QX60 leaves the continuously variable transmission in the grave and welcomes a smooth-shifting, traditional nine-speed automatic transmission.

The QX60 isn't eventful in its acceleration but it is capable. Car and Driver clocked its 0-60 mph time at 6.6 mph. Not slow, not fast. Handling and steering feel were welcome surprises, as the steering felt more weighty and connected than I expected.

Like its other driving dynamics, the QX60's brakes felt adequate and easy to modulate. The QX60 feels hefty, and the brakes do a nice job of getting it to a stop under hard braking.

The luxurious and stylish interior of the QX60 is one of its main selling points. Uniquely styled with lots of semi-aniline quilted leather and nice finishes, it's clear that Infiniti is making a play for premium luxury consideration. Ergonomics are good and intuitive, but the interior feels smaller than it should be given the size of the vehicle.

Overall, the seating in the QX60 Autograph was disappointing. For the price, they should be better cushioned and bolstered. The massage feature was decent but got annoying quickly. The front passenger seat's legroom seemed unusually small. The heating elements barely warmed the front and second-row seats. The third row has very little legroom with the second-row seats back, and only provides moderate comfort for adults when the second-row seats are pushed forward. One awesome feature was the ease of third-row entry. With the touch of a button, the second-row captain's seat moves up and forward without folding, making it very convenient to get people in the third row. Whether passengers can be comfortable in the third row is another story.

The QX60 featured tri-zone climate control, but there were times when the vehicle failed to heat the cabin, despite being at the highest temperature and fan speed. In these instances of no heat, the entire system needed to be shut off and restarted. The QX60's micro air filter is appreciated, but getting the cabin to the desired temperature was a challenge. Operating the dials for the temperature felt nice, but lagged behind inputs. Interestingly, Infiniti has opted for a mix of tactile buttons as well as touch buttons with haptic feedback for their HVAC controls. The haptic feedback is nice, but I do wonder about its reliability long-term.

Cargo space and cabin storage

One of the best interior features is the under-console storage. Underneath the gear selector and cupholders is a spacious, open compartment that can easily accommodate a bag, purse, snacks and several bottles of water. It's nice and tucked out of the way. In addition, there were several large cubbies in the door pockets. With the third-row seats up there are 14.5 cubic feet of cargo space and 75.4 cubic feet of space with the third row down — which is less than some competitors.

Infiniti's done a nice job with its screens. They provide crystal clear images and its cameras are high-resolution. The QX60 Autograph features a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, as well as a 12.3-inch center screen for its infotainment system. I didn't find the infotainment system to be the most intuitive, but it was fine once you got used to it. Wireless Apple CarPlay was a feature in the Autograph and is always a welcome feature for iPhone users. Sorry Android fans, no wireless connections for you, yet.

Infiniti has done a great job in rebooting some of their signature styling cues in the QX60, and the exterior looks great — even if I wasn't a fan of the gold color dubbed Warm Titanium. The QX60 is available in 16 paint colors, several of them two-tone with black on the top third of the vehicle and color on the bottom two-thirds of the vehicle. Colors include Deep Bordeaux, Majestic White, Grand Blue, Moonbow Blue, Warm Titanium, and Graphite Shadow among others.

Towing capacity has increased over the previous generation and is rated at 6,000 pounds. We did not tow anything during our testing, but the V6 feels strong enough to comfortably handle its 6,000-pound limit.

The wheels on the Autograph trim are unique 20-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels with a charcoal metallic finish and are shod with 255/50 R20 all-season tires. Because of the tread and the thicker glass upfront, tire and road noise are almost nonexistent.

Our tester was fitted with the Vision Package, which includes excellent adaptive front lighting with auto-leveling function, a 10.8-inch display, and a smart rearview mirror. Integrated mirror turn signals are standard.

Infiniti has long been a pioneer in-vehicle camera integration, and the QX60's are clear and helpful in their sensor sensitivity and parking guidance. Our tester had auto-dimming, power-folding, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, and reverse sync.

Driving down the interstate, you'll hardly hear the engine, the road, or anything other than your kids yelling in the backseat. You can thank the front acoustic glass and 35 pounds of sound-deadening insulation. Visibility out the QX60's greenhouse is pretty good but not as open as some.

Being a luxury SUV, it's no surprise that many safety features come standard in the QX60. Driving the QX60 feels substantial and secure, and the added technology only adds to the cocoon-like experience.

Showing its eagerness to compete in the premium luxury field, Infiniti has included an array of standard driver-assistance features, with more high-tech items being offered as options. These include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and Infiniti's ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving mode.

Blind-spot detectionFront pre-crash safety beltsRear cross-traffic alertRear automatic braking.

Check out the full suite of safety features for the QX60.

The new QX60 is excellent in the safety department, receiving "good" marks in every category tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The QX60 has not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2022 QX60 was named "Best Premium SUV" at the 2021 Newsweek Autos Awards.

I enjoyed driving the 2022 QX60 Autograph with the family in tow. I appreciated the unique exterior and interior styling, as well as its docile driving demeanor, especially with its whisper-quiet freeway decibel levels. Given the price, I was surprised by the lack of third-row space, loose leather, laggy dials and poorly heated seats given the $65,000 price tag. The QX60 Autograph does a lot of things very well, but I would recommend the Sensory trim to get more value for your dollar.

Is the QX60 fun to drive?

I wouldn't say so. It's a very conservative, calm, and composed driving experience, which I expect many drivers will appreciate. If you're looking for something sporty and exciting, the QX60 may disappoint. It is stylish, so in that sense, it is fun to be in a vehicle that has a unique design.

Is the QX60 a good family vehicle?

It's fine, but it's essentially a four-seater. The second-row captain's chairs are spacious for kids and adults, but the third row is tight and only seats two people — and not very comfortably. The third row is best saved for small children for short distances.

Is the QX60 a good value?

It depends on what trim you get. The Autograph trim was impressive in its features, but also very expensive. Consider a lower trim to get many features of the Autograph but an overall better value.

Find all Infiniti QX60 listings on KSL Cars.

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About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, freelance automotive journalist, speaker and social media manager. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com for comments/questions, or just to say "hi."