2026 INFINITI QX60 vs. 2026 Volvo XC90: 3 Ways the INFINITI Delivers Better Tech & Value
2026 INFINITI QX60 vs. 2026 Volvo XC90: 3 Ways the INFINITI Delivers Better Tech & Value
Posted on October 30, 2025
Shopping for a three-row luxury SUV means comparing the details that matter—technology that simplifies your drive, audio quality that changes how your family experiences every trip, and value that doesn't ask you to compromise on premium features. The 2026 INFINITI QX60 and 2026 Volvo XC90 both deliver refinement and capability, but they take different approaches to getting there.
For buyers weighing these two contenders in the London, Ontario market, the QX60 builds its case through three specific advantages: hands-off highway driving capability, audio technology with personalized sound zones, and a $10,000 lower entry price. Here's how these differences play out in real-world terms.
1. Hands-Off Highway Driving: ProPILOT Assist 2.1 vs. Standard ProPILOT Assist
Highway driving becomes noticeably less taxing when the vehicle can handle steering, acceleration, and braking while you stay attentive and ready to take over. The 2026 INFINITI QX60 AUTOGRAPH grade includes ProPILOT Assist 2.1, which allows hands-off driving on compatible highways when lane markings are clearly visible. You remain responsible for monitoring traffic and road conditions at all times, and you must be prepared to immediately resume manual control when required, but the system manages the steering wheel, throttle, and brakes during single-lane highway cruising.
The Volvo XC90 offers a different driver-assistance setup. Its standard ProPILOT Assist system provides adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping support, but it requires continuous hands-on steering input. While both systems reduce driver workload during long stretches of highway travel, the QX60's ProPILOT Assist 2.1 represents a more advanced implementation of the technology—one that actively monitors driver attention through in-cabin sensors and allows the driver to remove their hands from the wheel when conditions permit.
This distinction matters most on extended road trips between cities or during regular highway commutes. The QX60's system doesn't eliminate the need for driver vigilance, but it does reduce the physical effort required during routine highway stretches. The XC90's system remains effective but demands more active steering involvement throughout the drive.
2. Segment-First Audio with Individual Audio Zones
Premium audio systems typically prioritize overall sound quality, but the 2026 INFINITI QX60 introduces a capability that addresses a common family scenario: conflicting audio needs between driver and passengers. Available on SENSORY and AUTOGRAPH grades, the Klipsch Reference Premiere system includes 20 speakers and Individual Audio technology—a feature that allows the driver to hear navigation instructions or take phone calls while passengers continue listening to music or watching entertainment in the rear seats.
The XC90 doesn't offer this kind of zoned audio functionality. Its available Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system delivers high-quality sound throughout the cabin, but it operates as a single-zone system. When the driver takes a phone call or listens to navigation prompts, those sounds play through the entire vehicle, interrupting whatever the passengers are hearing.
Individual Audio addresses a practical frustration that families encounter regularly. When one parent needs to take a work call during a drive to cottage country, the rest of the family doesn't have to pause their movie or music. When you need clear navigation instructions while passengers sleep in the back, you don't have to choose between missing a turn and waking them up. The technology creates separate sound zones within one cabin, allowing different passengers to hear different audio sources simultaneously.
The Klipsch system in the QX60 also brings serious audio credentials. Klipsch has built high-performance speakers for over 75 years, and the Reference Premiere system includes titanium dome tweeters, a 24-channel amplifier, and dedicated speakers positioned throughout all three rows. The XC90's Bowers & Wilkins system delivers excellent sound quality as well, but it doesn't offer the same level of audio personalization that the QX60's Individual Audio provides.
3. Value Positioning: A $10,000 Price Difference
The 2026 INFINITI QX60 LUXE starts at $66,945 MSRP, while the 2026 Volvo XC90 B6 AWD carries a base price of $76,950 MSRP. That $10,005 difference buys you into the XC90's Scandinavian design philosophy and Swedish engineering heritage—but it also means paying more to access three-row luxury functionality.
Comparing equipment levels shows how each manufacturer structures its lineup and what buyers receive at each price point.
The QX60 LUXE grade includes 20-inch wheels, dual 12.3-inch displays with Google built-in, TailorFit-appointed seating, wireless phone charging, five USB Type-C ports, full LED exterior lighting, heated first and second-row seats, ProPILOT Assist 1.1, and 3D Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection. These features come standard on the entry-level LUXE grade, establishing a comprehensive baseline of technology and comfort amenities.
The XC90's equipment structure differs in several ways. The B6 AWD variant uses a supercharged and turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 220 kW (300 horsepower) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The QX60 uses a 2.0-litre Variable Compression Turbo engine rated at 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque, connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The XC90 B6 delivers stronger peak output figures, while both powertrains provide smooth acceleration and confident passing capability in real-world driving.
Towing capacity highlights another distinction between these two SUVs. The QX60 achieves a maximum towing rating of 2,722 kg (6,000 lbs) when properly equipped, while the XC90's B5 and B6 variants are rated for 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) and the T8 plug-in hybrid reduces that figure to 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs). For buyers who regularly tow boats, trailers, or campers, these differences matter when approaching maximum weight limits.
Interior dimensions show how each SUV allocates space. The QX60 offers 1,042 mm (41 inches) of front headroom, 953 mm (37.5 inches) of second-row headroom, and 907 mm (35.7 inches) of third-row headroom. The XC90 provides 1,051 mm (41.3 inches) of front headroom in seven-seat configurations, 997 mm (39.2 inches) of second-row headroom, and 923 mm (36.3 inches) of third-row headroom. Both vehicles accommodate adults comfortably in the first two rows, while the XC90's third row provides slightly more vertical space on longer trips.
Cargo capacity shows a clear difference in usable volume. The QX60 provides 411 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,178 litres with the third row folded and 2,135 litres with both second and third rows folded. The XC90 seven-seat configuration offers 356 litres behind the third row, 1,007 litres with the third row folded, and 1,874 litres with both rows folded. The QX60's cargo floor sits slightly higher, which affects loading ease for heavier items, but it delivers more total volume when maximum cargo space becomes necessary.
The QX60's standard Google built-in integration brings always-updated Google Maps, Google Assistant voice control, and access to apps through Google Play directly into the dashboard. This integration means navigation maps update automatically without requiring manual downloads, and you can use natural-language voice commands to adjust climate settings, find destinations, or control media playback. The XC90 offers smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but doesn't include the same level of native Google functionality built into the vehicle's operating system.
Making the Decision
The 2026 INFINITI QX60 and 2026 Volvo XC90 both deliver three-row luxury with standard all-wheel drive, comprehensive safety technology, and premium interior materials. The biggest differences show up in how each vehicle implements specific technologies and structures its pricing.
The QX60's ProPILOT Assist 2.1 capability allows hands-off highway driving in specific conditions while maintaining driver responsibility and attention. The Individual Audio technology solves a problem that traditional single-zone audio systems can't address—letting different passengers hear different things at the same time. The standard equipment level on the entry LUXE grade includes features that would require option packages or higher trim levels in competing vehicles.
For families in London, Ontario who want hands-off highway capability, personalized audio zones, and comprehensive standard equipment at a lower entry price, the 2026 INFINITI QX60 addresses practical driving needs. Visit London INFINITI to test ProPILOT Assist 2.1, hear the Klipsch audio system, and experience how these features work in your daily driving.