2027 INFINITI QX65 vs 2026 Volvo XC60: What London Drivers Should Know
2027 INFINITI QX65 vs 2026 Volvo XC60: What London Drivers Should Know
Posted on April 22, 2026
Two names come up frequently when Ontario drivers start researching mid-size luxury SUVs: the all-new 2027 INFINITI QX65 and the refreshed 2026 Volvo XC60. On the surface they share a segment, a general price bracket, and a commitment to refined interiors. Look past that and a clear picture emerges — one vehicle is built around flexibility and practical performance, the other is a solid but more conventionally-proportioned alternative.
For drivers in London and the surrounding southwestern Ontario region, the QX65's cargo advantage, standard Intelligent AWD, longer-haul towing rating, and technology suite make a direct case. The XC60 is a thoughtfully designed vehicle, but when the key comparison points are laid out side by side, the QX65 is the vehicle that better fits the demands of day-to-day driving in this part of the province.
At a Glance: 2027 INFINITI QX65 vs 2026 Volvo XC60
| Feature | 2027 INFINITI QX65 | 2026 Volvo XC60 (B5 AWD) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0 L 4-cylinder VC-Turbo | 2.0 L 4-cylinder turbocharged |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 247 hp |
| Torque | 286 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive System | Intelligent AWD (standard) | AWD (standard) |
| Cargo (seats up) | 1,014 litres | 468 litres |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 1,917 litres | 950 litres |
| Max Towing (braked) | 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) | 3,483 lbs (1,580 kg) |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Infotainment | Dual 12.3-inch displays, Google built-in | 11.2-inch touchscreen, Google built-in |
| Standard Safety | ProPILOT Assist, Blind Spot Intervention, PFCW | ABS, EBD, Electronic Brake Assistance |
Performance and Powertrain
Both vehicles use a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine. The INFINITI QX65's 2.0 L Variable Compression Turbo produces 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque through a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Volvo XC60 B5 AWD delivers 247 hp and 266 lb-ft through an 8-speed automatic. The QX65 holds an advantage of 21 horsepower and 20 lb-ft of torque at the base powertrain level.
What makes the QX65's engine genuinely different is the Variable Compression Turbo architecture — the world's first production variable compression powertrain. The engine's compression ratio shifts dynamically based on driving demand, from a higher-compression setting for fuel efficiency at cruise to a lower setting for maximum output under acceleration. The 9-speed transmission has been tuned specifically with a sportier, more aggressive shift schedule, giving the QX65 decisive off-the-line response and confident highway merging capability — useful on the 401 between London and the GTA.
The XC60 also offers a T8 plug-in hybrid variant with a combined output of 455 hp, which is a different vehicle at a different price point. The Polestar Engineered variant matches that figure. For buyers who are cross-shopping both vehicles in their standard configurations, the QX65's VC-Turbo outpunches the XC60's base engine.
- QX65 VC-Turbo: 268 hp | 286 lb-ft | 9-speed auto | Intelligent AWD standard
- XC60 B5 AWD: 247 hp | 266 lb-ft | 8-speed auto | AWD standard
Cargo Space: The Most Important Difference
For drivers in southwestern Ontario who use their vehicle as a true daily workhorse, cargo space is where the gap between these two vehicles becomes most apparent.
The 2027 INFINITI QX65 offers 1,014 litres behind the second row and 1,917 litres with the second row folded. The second-row bench slides, reclines, and folds, allowing drivers to prioritize either passenger legroom or load space as the day demands. The Volvo XC60 offers 468 litres behind the second row and 950 litres with the seats folded.
That is a difference of 546 litres with seats up and 967 litres fully loaded — not a marginal variance but a structurally different capability. Families in London who are loading hockey bags for the rink, groceries for a full week, or gear for a long weekend at a cottage near Grand Bend will feel that gap in practical terms every time they open the tailgate.
Towing Capacity
The towing advantage for the QX65 is substantial. When properly equipped, the 2027 INFINITI QX65 is rated to tow 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg). The 2026 Volvo XC60 is rated for a maximum of 3,483 lbs (1,580 kg) with a braked trailer.
That 2,517 lb (1,142 kg) difference means the QX65 can handle a mid-size boat, a loaded utility trailer, or a small camper that the XC60 simply cannot manage. For drivers in the London region who spend spring and summer weekends near Lake Huron or Lake Erie, that rating changes what the vehicle can do on those trips.
Technology and Connectivity
Both vehicles arrive with Google built-in, but the delivery and depth differ. The QX65 features dual 12.3-inch displays — a dedicated 12.3-inch Dynamic Meter Display for the driver and a 12.3-inch INFINITI InTouch Interactive Display for infotainment. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect to a Qi2-standard wireless charging pad.
Two available Klipsch audio systems offer meaningfully different experiences depending on the grade chosen. The SPORT grade's 16-speaker, 600-watt system with an 8-inch TriPower subwoofer handles everyday listening with clarity. The AUTOGRAPH grade's 20-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere system at 1,200 watts adds Individual Audio, which uses headrest speakers to direct different content to the driver and front passenger independently — a useful feature on longer drives across Ontario.
The XC60 has been updated with an 11.2-inch free-standing central touchscreen for the 2026 model year, running a next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm that Volvo notes is more than twice as fast as its outgoing system. The available Bowers & Wilkins audio system is a genuine highlight of the XC60's interior. The QX65's dual-screen layout and deeper Google integration represent a more comprehensive approach to in-vehicle connectivity.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Standard safety content is broad on the QX65. All grades include:
- Predictive Forward Collision Warning
- Blind Spot Warning and Blind Spot Intervention
- Lane Departure Prevention
- ProPILOT Assist (standard across all three grades)
- Rear parking sensors
- High Beam Assist
SPORT and AUTOGRAPH grades add 3D Around View Monitor, Front Wide View, and Invisible Hood View — practical aids for urban driving in London's downtown core or anywhere tight manoeuvring is required. AUTOGRAPH with the available Technology Package adds ProPILOT Assist 2.1, which enables hands-free driving on compatible freeways — a meaningful feature for Ontario drivers on the 401.
The XC60 comes with ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, and Electronic Brake Assistance as standard, with additional driver assistance systems available across its trim structure. Both vehicles take active safety seriously. The QX65's standard inclusion of ProPILOT Assist across all grades is a strong baseline that not all competitors match at the entry level.
Grade Structure and What You Get
The QX65 is offered in three grades in Canada:
LUXE — 20-inch alloy wheels, dual 12.3-inch displays, Google built-in, Intelligent AWD, heated front and outboard rear seats, ProPILOT Assist, Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control
SPORT — All LUXE features plus sport grille mesh, gloss black 20-inch turbine-design alloy wheels with concealed lug nuts, gloss black window surround, gloss black carbonite interior trim, graphite headliner, 16-speaker Klipsch Premium audio, 3D Around View Monitor, Front Wide View, Invisible Hood View
AUTOGRAPH — 21-inch machined-alloy wheels, satin chrome window surround, open pore wood-grained trim, quilted dashboard, semi-aniline leather seats with kimono-inspired asymmetrical quilting, massaging front seats, 20-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio with Individual Audio, available ProPILOT Assist 2.1 with Technology Package
The Volvo XC60's trim structure offers genuine variety as well, particularly when the T8 plug-in hybrid is factored in. For buyers focused on the standard AWD configuration, however, the QX65's three-grade structure delivers more standard safety content and a more distinctive design identity at each price point.
Find the 2027 INFINITI QX65 at London INFINITI
The 2027 INFINITI QX65 is heading to retailers early summer 2026. Pricing will be announced at a later date.
At London INFINITI, our team is ready to help you explore every grade of the all-new QX65 and answer any questions you have before it arrives. Get in touch with us to register your interest or to learn more about how it compares to your current shortlist.