By Philip Ruth–
“Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” We’ve all heard some version of that advice, and it affirms that appearances are more than just what our eyes see; they also contribute to our states of mind.
These ideas came up after driving this month’s test car duo, the Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60. They’re essentially the same full-sized, three-row crossovers under the skin, made by the same company under different brands.
But their surfaces and interiors are unique. The Infiniti is pricier than the Nissan, and each has its style: the Pathfinder is mass-market suburban, while the QX60 is more urban-chic. Even though these two are functionally similar, it’s a good bet that many buyers of one wouldn’t bother with the other.
The asking prices reflect their separate missions. Base price for the cheapest 2019 Pathfinder is just about $32,000, and the tested Pathfinder Platinum came in a bit less than $50,000. Meanwhile, the QX60 starts at about $45,000, and the dolled-up Luxe tester chimed in at $66,000. Note the nomenclature—Nissan’s Platinum evokes solid investment, while Infiniti’s Luxe promises something more indulgent.
And it delivers, particularly when you opt for the QX60’s $3,500 “Sensory Package.” While some of it can be ordered on the Pathfinder—motion-activated tailgate, panoramic moonroof—this package adds QX60-exclusive “Hour Glass Seat Quilting” to the first and second rows. Dense quilted patterns are a nod to exotic brands like Bentley, which trade in upholstery selections that eschew simplicity or ease of cleaning. This one isn’t for the kids.
The rest of the Pathfinders and QX60s are firmly family-rated, though. The front buckets are large, with plump contouring. Second-row passengers will find comfy perches on the “EZ FLEX” folding 60/40 seat, which smoothly glides forward to provide a path to hoist yourself into the split-folding third row. A crossover’s rearmost row is often a source of disappointment for those wanting to host more than children back there, but the Pathfinder/QX60’s is roomy enough for you to wedge reasonably-sized adults back there for the corporate lunch run.
The architecture surrounding the seats is pleasing in both models, and they share a clear lineage. The aforementioned quilting is one of the Infiniti’s few singular nods, as most of the rest of it is a zingier version of the Nissan. Whether it’s the door panel trim or the tail lights, the shapes of the Nissan are slimmer and stronger in the Infiniti. Fit and finish were excellent in both, so it’s the styling and textures that justify the Infiniti’s higher price.
Those prices are justified when a buyer is willing to pay. Many of my fellow journalists examine the scant functional differences and favor the Nissan. But its suburban mildness might not suffice if you’re a salesperson and cultivating a prosperous image, even as you need a roomy third row. In that case, the Infiniti becomes an unlikely logical choice as you measure the value of appearances.
Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant ( https://www.gaycarguy.com ). Check out his automotive staging service at https://www.carstaging.com.
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