Something extraordinary is unfolding
2027 INFINITI QX60 vs 2026 Nissan Pathfinder
These two are related, and shoppers know it. The useful question is not whether they share engineering, it is what the QX60 does with it.
The Pathfinder starts lower. Ask us about current starting MSRP on the QX60 and what separates them.2027 INFINITI QX60 vs 2026 Nissan Pathfinder, Side by Side
Same corporate family, different vehicles. The rows below are the honest differences, and the towing row is a genuine tie.
| 2027 INFINITI QX60 | 2026 Nissan Pathfinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Rows of seats | 3 rows, standard | 3 rows, standard |
| Seating capacity | 6 or 7 passengers | 7 or 8 passengers |
| Engine | 2.0L VC-Turbo 4-cylinder | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 284 hp |
| Torque | 286 lb-ftWIN | 259 lb-ft |
| Max towing | 6,000 lbs | 6,000 lbs |
| Cargo behind row 3 | 14.5 cu ft | 16.6 cu ft |
| Maximum cargo | 75.4 cu ft | 80.5 cu ft |
| EPA MPG, front-drive | 22 / 28 / 24WIN | 21 / 27 / 23 |
| Standard screen | Dual 12.3-in displaysWIN | 8-in standard, 9-in available |
| Top audio system | Klipsch, 20 speakersWIN | Bose, 13 speakers |
The Pathfinder wins on horsepower, cargo behind the third row, maximum cargo and passenger count. It is a larger, more practical box for less money, and that is exactly what it is designed to be.
Yes, They Are Related. Here Is What That Does and Does Not Mean
INFINITI is Nissan's luxury division, and the QX60 and Pathfinder are developed within the same corporate family. Shoppers usually arrive at this comparison already suspecting as much, so there is no point pretending otherwise. Shared engineering is normal across the industry and it is generally good news, because it means proven parts.
What separates them is everything above the hardware. The QX60 uses a different engine, a 2.0-litre VC-Turbo four instead of the Pathfinder's 3.5-litre V6. It has a different interior, different sound insulation, different seats and a different screen setup. The Pathfinder is the larger, more practical, less expensive vehicle. The QX60 is the quieter, better-finished one. Neither of those is a criticism of the other.
Two Genuinely Different Engines
This is where the shared-platform assumption breaks down. The Pathfinder uses a 3.5-litre V6 making 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft. The QX60 uses a 2.0-litre VC-Turbo four that changes its own compression ratio, making 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft. More torque, less horsepower, different character.
Torque is what you feel when you pull away from the light at Market and College with seven people aboard, and the QX60 has 27 lb-ft more of it. It also returns better EPA numbers, 22 city and 28 highway front-drive against the Pathfinder's 21 and 27. The V6 has its own appeal and a smoothness a four-cylinder has to work for.
- QX60: 268 hp, 286 lb-ft, 2.0L VC-Turbo, 9-speed automatic
- Pathfinder: 284 hp, 259 lb-ft, 3.5L V6, 9-speed automatic
- Both rated to tow 6,000 lbs when properly equipped
The Part You Actually Pay For
Every 2027 QX60 has dual 12.3-inch displays with Google built in. The Pathfinder starts with an 8-inch screen and offers a 9-inch further up the range. Move up the QX60 lineup and you get quilted TailorFit upholstery, semi-aniline leather on AUTOGRAPH, massaging front seats and Klipsch audio with up to 20 speakers.
The Pathfinder's cabin is well built and its top Platinum trim is genuinely pleasant, with a 13-speaker Bose system. It is finished to a mainstream standard because it is priced to a mainstream standard. Sit in both for ten minutes and the difference is not subtle, and neither is the difference on the window sticker.
- Dual 12.3-in displays standard on every QX60 grade
- Klipsch 16 or 20 speakers against Bose 13
- Semi-aniline leather and massaging seats on AUTOGRAPH
A Genuine Tie, and We Are Not Going to Fake One
Both the QX60 and the Pathfinder are rated to tow 6,000 pounds when properly equipped. There is no advantage here for either vehicle and we are not going to invent one. If towing is your reason for shopping, this row does not decide anything.
What does matter is the equipment. On both vehicles the 6,000-pound figure assumes the right tow package, so check the specific vehicle rather than the brochure. Ask us to confirm what is fitted before you commit, whichever badge you end up choosing.
- QX60: 6,000 lbs, properly equipped
- Pathfinder: 6,000 lbs on properly equipped grades
- Confirm the tow package on the individual vehicle
Where the Pathfinder Comes Out Ahead
The Pathfinder is the more practical vehicle and that deserves saying plainly. It holds 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row against the QX60's 14.5, and 80.5 cubic feet maximum against 75.4. It seats up to eight where the QX60 tops out at seven.
The QX60 answers with layout rather than volume. SPORT and AUTOGRAPH use second-row captain's chairs that leave a permanent walk-through aisle to row three, which parents tend to value more than a couple of cubic feet. Different priorities, and worth knowing which one is yours before you shop.
- Pathfinder: 16.6 cu ft behind row 3, 80.5 maximum, seats up to 8
- QX60: 14.5 cu ft behind row 3, 75.4 maximum, seats 6 or 7
- QX60 SPORT and AUTOGRAPH add a walk-through aisle
Full Specification Comparison
Every number below is from the manufacturer or the EPA, checked on September 8 2026. Where the Pathfinder wins, it says so.
| Specification | 2027 INFINITI QX60 | 2026 Nissan Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L VC-Turbo 4-cylinder | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 284 hpBETTER |
| Torque | 286 lb-ftBETTER | 259 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Rows | 3 | 3 |
| Seating | 6 or 7 | 7 or 8BETTER |
| EPA MPG city / hwy / combined (front-drive) | 22 / 28 / 24BETTER | 21 / 27 / 23 |
| Cargo behind row 3 | 14.5 cu ft | 16.6 cu ftBETTER |
| Maximum cargo | 75.4 cu ft | 80.5 cu ftBETTER |
| Max towing | 6,000 lbs | 6,000 lbs |
| Standard touchscreen | 12.3 inBETTER | 8 in |
| Top audio system | Klipsch, 20 speakersBETTER | Bose, 13 speakers |
| Top upholstery | Semi-aniline leatherBETTER | Leather-appointed |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 60,000 miBETTER | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | 6 yr / 70,000 miBETTER | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
The 2027 INFINITI QX60 in Photos
The 2027 INFINITI QX60 in full.
Twenty-inch wheels come on LUXE and above.
The full-width rear light signature.
Dual 12.3-inch displays with Google built in.
Three rows, standard on every grade.
Graphite leather, one of several TailorFit interiors.
What the QX60 Adds Over the Pathfinder
The INFINITI Store on Market Street
Hanna INFINITI of Wilmington sits at 5730 Market Street, on US-17 between Ogden and Mayfaire. We are the INFINITI retailer for the Cape Fear region, which means the QX60 you are reading about is a vehicle you can drive today rather than one you research and then chase inland to buy.
Our service department is INFINITI-certified and works on the vehicle we sold you, with technicians trained on the VC-Turbo engine and the ProPILOT systems. Book a service appointment or start financing before you come in, and we will have the paperwork moving before you park.
What Wilmington Drivers Say
Come Drive Both Kinds of SUV
We are at 5730 Market Street, on US-17 between Ogden and Mayfaire. Nissan and INFINITI stores are both easy to reach here, so a same-day back-to-back drive is realistic. That is the fastest way to find out whether the QX60's cabin is worth the difference to you, and it is a fair question to ask.
| Dealership | Hanna INFINITI of Wilmington |
| Address | 5730 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405 |
| Phone | (910) 338-2014 |
| Cities served | Wilmington, Leland, Hampstead, Wrightsville Beach, Brunswick County |
| Shop | New INFINITI QX60 and used inventory |
QX60 vs Pathfinder, Questions from Wilmington Buyers
Is the INFINITI QX60 the same as the Nissan Pathfinder?
No. INFINITI is Nissan's luxury division and the two are developed within the same corporate family, but they use different engines, different interiors and different equipment. The QX60 runs a 2.0-litre VC-Turbo four and the Pathfinder a 3.5-litre V6.
Which is faster, the QX60 or the Pathfinder?
The Pathfinder has more horsepower, 284 against 268. The QX60 has more torque, 286 lb-ft against 259, which is what you feel pulling away from a stop with a full load. In normal driving they are closely matched.
Does the QX60 tow more than the Pathfinder?
No, they tie. Both are rated to tow 6,000 pounds when properly equipped. Towing is not a reason to pick one over the other, and on both vehicles the rating depends on the tow package fitted to that specific vehicle.
Which has more cargo space, the QX60 or the Pathfinder?
The Pathfinder. It holds 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row against the QX60's 14.5, and 80.5 cubic feet maximum against 75.4. It also seats up to eight where the QX60 seats six or seven.
What do you actually get for the extra money on a QX60?
Dual 12.3-inch displays as standard against the Pathfinder's 8-inch screen, Klipsch audio with up to 20 speakers against a 13-speaker Bose system, quilted and semi-aniline leather, massaging front seats on AUTOGRAPH, more torque, better fuel economy and a longer warranty.
Which gets better gas mileage?
The QX60. EPA estimates are 22 city and 28 highway with front-wheel drive against 21 and 27 for a two-wheel-drive Pathfinder. The turbocharged four-cylinder is the reason, and the gap is about one mpg either way.
Does the QX60 have a longer warranty than the Pathfinder?
Yes. INFINITI covers 4 years or 60,000 miles basic and 6 years or 70,000 miles on the powertrain. Nissan covers 3 years or 36,000 miles basic and 5 years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain.
Which one is better for a family in Wilmington?
It depends on what you carry. If you regularly need eight seats or maximum cargo, the Pathfinder is the more practical vehicle. If you want a quieter cabin and better materials for the daily run down Market Street, the QX60 is built for that. Our page on the QX60 third row covers the space question in detail.
Can I see a QX60 at Hanna INFINITI of Wilmington?
Yes. We are at 5730 Market Street and keep QX60 grades on the lot. Call (910) 338-2014 and tell us which second-row layout you want to try, bench or captain's chairs, and we will have it ready when you arrive.
Ten Minutes in Both Settles It
The spec sheets are close. The interiors are not. Sit in a QX60 on Market Street and you will know within a few minutes which side of this you are on.
Hanna INFINITI of Wilmington | 5730 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405 | (910) 338-2014