You probably remember the JX35. It was Infiniti’s big swing at the three-row luxury crossover market back in 2013, but then the brand went through a bit of an identity crisis and renamed everything. Suddenly, the JX was gone, and the 2014 Infiniti QX60 SUV was born. It’s the same car, mostly, but 2014 was the year Infiniti really tried to cement its place as the "sensible" luxury choice for families who found the BMW X5 too stiff and the Lexus RX too small.
It’s a polarizing beast.
If you talk to a die-hard Infiniti fan, they might tell you it’s the peak of comfort. Talk to a mechanic, and they’ll probably groan about the transmission. That’s the reality of this specific model year. It sits in a weird transition period for Nissan’s luxury arm. You’ve got this gorgeous, flowing exterior design that—honestly—still looks pretty modern even a decade later, paired with some mechanical choices that keep owners up at night.
What You’re Actually Buying in a 2014 Infiniti QX60 SUV
Let’s get into the bones of it. The 2014 model is powered by the VQ35DE. That’s a 3.5-liter V6 engine that Nissan has used in basically everything from the Maxima to the 350Z. It’s a workhorse. It pumps out 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. In a vacuum, those numbers are fine. In a heavy, three-row SUV loaded with kids and groceries? It’s... adequate. You aren't winning any drag races.
The real talking point is the CVT.
Infiniti decided to stick a Continuously Variable Transmission in a luxury SUV. Most competitors at the time, like the Acura MDX or the Audi Q7, were sticking with traditional geared automatics. The CVT in the 2014 Infiniti QX60 SUV was designed for fuel efficiency, and it does deliver there—you can squeeze about 25 mpg on the highway if you’re gentle. But the "rubber band" feel when you step on the gas is real. It drones. It searches. It’s not exactly the "Inspired Performance" the brand used to brag about in their G37 commercials.
Inside, though? Different story.
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The cabin is where this car wins people over. The "Personal Hospitality" concept Infiniti pushed meant lots of soft-touch plastics, real leather, and a sliding second row that is arguably the best in its class. You can actually tilt and slide the second-row seats forward without removing a child safety seat. That was a massive selling point in 2014. It still is. If you’ve ever wrestled with a Graco car seat just to let someone into the back, you know that’s a game-changer.
The Hybrid Experiment
2014 also introduced the QX60 Hybrid. It used a supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor. On paper, it sounded great. More torque, better city mileage. In practice, it was expensive and didn't actually save that much fuel compared to the V6. Most people skipped it. If you’re looking at one today on the used market, the battery replacement costs usually outweigh any gas savings you’ll find. Stick to the V6. It’s simpler.
The Elephant in the Room: Reliability and Recalls
We have to talk about the shuddering.
A significant number of 2014 Infiniti QX60 SUV owners reported a "judder" or shaking sensation when accelerating. This was a known issue with the early generations of this CVT. Nissan eventually extended the warranty on many of these transmissions, but if you’re buying one now, you need to check the service records. If that transmission hasn't been serviced or replaced, you're rolling the dice.
Then there’s the airbag sensor issue.
There was a major recall involving the Occupant Classification System (OCS). Basically, the car might think an adult in the passenger seat is actually a child or empty space, and it won't deploy the airbag in a crash. It’s a serious safety flaw. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this affected hundreds of thousands of vehicles across the Nissan and Infiniti lineup. If you see a "Passenger Airbag Off" light when your spouse is sitting there, that’s a red flag.
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- Transmission Shudder: Common in models built between 2013 and 2015.
- OCS Sensor Failure: Can lead to non-deployment of airbags.
- Interior Trim: The "wheat" colored interior looks great but stains if you even look at it wrong.
- Infotainment: By 2026 standards, the 2014 screen looks like a GameBoy. No Apple CarPlay. No Android Auto. You’re stuck with a proprietary system that feels very "Early Obama Era."
Is the 2014 Infiniti QX60 SUV Actually "Luxury"?
This is where things get subjective.
Luxury in 2014 meant something different than it does now. Back then, it was about the Bose 13-speaker premium sound system (which, by the way, still sounds fantastic) and the tri-zone climate control. It wasn't about giant iPads glued to the dashboard. The QX60 feels like a high-end living room. It’s quiet. The acoustic glass does a great job of keeping road noise out, making it a stellar road-trip vehicle.
But it shares a lot of DNA with the Nissan Pathfinder.
A lot.
Mechanically, they are siblings. Some critics argue that the 2014 Infiniti QX60 SUV is just a Pathfinder in a tuxedo. They aren't entirely wrong. The switchgear, the window buttons, the basic frame—it’s all shared. What you’re paying for is the badge, the better leather, the dealership experience, and that sleek "crescent" cut on the D-pillar.
Is it worth the premium over a Pathfinder of the same era? On the used market, the price gap has narrowed significantly. If you can find a QX60 with the Deluxe Touring Package—which adds 20-inch wheels and a maple wood interior—it feels significantly more upscale than any Nissan.
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Maintenance Reality Check
If you buy a 2014 Infiniti QX60 SUV today, don't expect Honda Civic maintenance prices. It’s a luxury brand. Parts are marked up.
Premium fuel is "recommended" for the V6. You can run 87 octane, but the engine’s computer will pull back the timing to prevent knocking, which means you lose power and fuel economy. Most owners just run regular and complain that the car feels sluggish. If you want it to run the way the engineers intended, you’ve gotta pay the "premium" tax at the pump.
Also, the brakes. This is a 4,500-pound vehicle. It eats brake pads for breakfast, especially if you live in a hilly area or do a lot of stop-and-go city driving. Expect to replace rotors more often than you would on a smaller sedan.
Common DIY Fixes
Surprisingly, some things are easy. Changing the cabin air filter doesn't require a degree in engineering, unlike some German competitors. The oil filter is relatively accessible. However, if you need to change the spark plugs on the back bank of that V6? Godspeed. You have to remove the entire intake manifold. That’s a $500+ job at most shops just for labor.
Actionable Advice for Potential Buyers
If you are currently looking at a 2014 Infiniti QX60 SUV on a used lot, do not buy it based on a 10-minute drive around the block. You need to put that CVT through its paces.
- The "Slow Crawl" Test: Take the car to a parking lot. Accelerate very slowly from 0 to 20 mph. If you feel a vibration or a "stumble," walk away. That’s the CVT starting to fail.
- Check the VIN for Recalls: Go to the NHTSA website. Plug in the VIN. Ensure the airbag sensor and the transmission software updates have been performed.
- Look at the Fluids: If the transmission fluid (CVT fluid) looks like burnt coffee, it’s a bad sign. It should be relatively clear or slightly green/amber.
- Test the Liftgate: The power rear liftgates on these models are notorious for getting "tired." If it groans or reverses halfway up, the motors are on their way out.
The 2014 Infiniti QX60 SUV remains a solid choice for families who need space and want to look good in the school pickup line without spending $60,000 on a new Tahoe. It’s comfortable, it’s spacious, and it has one of the most clever interior layouts of the decade. Just go in with your eyes open regarding the transmission. It’s a car designed for comfort, not for carving canyons. Treat it like a luxury cruiser, keep up with the fluid changes, and it’ll likely treat you well.
The smart move is finding a single-owner vehicle with a fat folder of service receipts. Those are the ones that make it to 200,000 miles. Skip the ones with "tow hitches" unless you know they only used it for a bike rack; this CVT was never meant for heavy towing, no matter what the brochure said.