That was certainly the case when the all-new 2027 Infiniti QX65 Autograph arrived at our home.

Finished in Radiant White, the QX65 is a brand-new addition to the Infiniti family, and after spending a week with it in mid-September, we came away thinking Infiniti may have found a very comfortable spot in the luxury SUV market.

Our week with the QX65 wasn’t about taking it on some epic adventure. Instead, we did what most people actually do with their vehicles. We drove it to work, ran errands, made trips around town and simply went about our normal week.

That may sound like a pretty ordinary test, but we have always believed that everyday driving tells you a lot about a vehicle.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

And the QX65 did a very good job of making ordinary driving feel anything but ordinary.

The first thing you notice

September is one of our favorite times to drive around Utah. Summer is beginning to wind down, mornings are getting cooler and the mountains are showing that fall is on its way.

Against that backdrop, the Radiant White QX65 certainly stood out.

The QX65 has a sleek, modern shape that is considerably more stylish than the traditional upright SUV. Its roofline slopes toward the rear, giving it something of a coupe-inspired appearance while still maintaining the usefulness we expect from an SUV.

Infiniti has given the QX65 a wide, confident stance, and the design includes some interesting lighting details that help it stand out, especially after dark.

Photo supplied

The Autograph model we drove also came with 21-inch machined alloy wheels and a number of exterior touches that give it a more upscale appearance.

We liked that Infiniti didn’t go overboard with the styling. It looks expensive, but it doesn’t have to announce that fact to everyone on the road.

Two rows can be a good thing

One of the most important things to understand about the QX65 is that it is a two-row SUV.

For some buyers, that might initially sound like a disadvantage. For us, we think it is one of the vehicle’s biggest strengths.

Not everybody needs a third row.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

As empty nesters, we have certainly appreciated having a larger SUV when we needed to carry family and grandchildren, but there are plenty of times when a third row simply isn’t necessary.

The QX65 gives you five comfortable seating positions and a large cargo area behind the second row. That means there is plenty of room for groceries, luggage, shopping bags, projects and all the other things that tend to find their way into the back of an SUV.

Fold the second-row seats down and the QX65 becomes even more useful.

It is a simple idea, but one that makes a lot of sense for couples and families who want a luxury SUV without moving into the size and complexity of a three-row vehicle.

A very comfortable place to spend time

Once inside, the QX65 Autograph reminds you that this is a luxury vehicle.

Photo supplied

The cabin is beautifully finished, with quilted leather-appointed seating, wood trim and satin-finish accents. The front seats are heated, ventilated and offer massage functions, while the second-row seats are heated as well.

Those are the kinds of features that can easily be dismissed as luxuries you don’t really need — until you have them.

After a long day at work, getting into a vehicle with comfortable seats and a quiet, refined interior is something we quickly came to appreciate.

Technology is part of the experience

The dashboard features a large 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch touchscreen, and smartphone integration is handled through wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There is also wireless phone charging, Bluetooth connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

One of the features that stood out to us was the available Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system with 20 speakers.

We have spent plenty of time around sound equipment over the years, so we tend to pay attention to audio systems. The Klipsch system in the QX65 provides a rich, immersive sound that makes music a real part of the driving experience.

The system even incorporates speakers into the front headrests, creating a more personal listening experience for the driver and front passenger.

Enough power for Utah driving

The QX65 is powered by Infiniti’s 2.0-liter variable-compression turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 268 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque.

Power is sent through a nine-speed automatic transmission, and our Autograph was equipped with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.

For our week of driving, the powertrain provided plenty of performance.

The nine-speed transmission worked smoothly, and the all-wheel-drive system provides additional confidence when Utah’s weather eventually turns from the beautiful days of September to the snow and ice of winter.

A lot of technology working in the background

The QX65 is also packed with safety and driver-assistance technology.

Infiniti’s ProPILOT Assist combines adaptive cruise control with steering assistance to make highway driving easier, while additional systems help monitor traffic and the area around the vehicle.

The available 3D Around View Monitor is especially helpful when parking. It provides a virtual view around the vehicle, making it easier to see what is happening near the QX65 when maneuvering into a parking space.

There is also an Invisible Hood View, which provides another perspective of the area immediately in front of the vehicle.

The sweet spot

After a week with the QX65, we kept coming back to the same thought: This vehicle seems to occupy a very interesting sweet spot.

There are plenty of luxury SUVs that are larger, more powerful and equipped with three rows of seats.

But bigger isn’t always better.

For a couple who doesn’t need a third row, the QX65 makes a lot of sense. It provides a spacious cabin, a large rear cargo area, comfortable seating, impressive technology and the elevated driving position people like about SUVs.

A welcome new member of the Infiniti family

The all-new 2027 Infiniti QX65 is an interesting addition to the Infiniti lineup because it doesn’t seem to be trying to fill a hole simply for the sake of having another SUV.

Instead, it feels like Infiniti has looked at what many buyers actually want and built a vehicle around those needs.

It is luxurious without being excessive, sporty-looking without sacrificing practicality and large enough to carry what you need without becoming a giant three-row SUV.

That’s ultimately what makes a vehicle successful in our eyes.

A vehicle can have all the latest technology and luxury features in the world, but if it doesn’t work well for everyday life, those things don’t mean much.

The QX65 does work well for everyday life.

Base price: $62,590

Destination charge: $1,545

Price as driven: $71,355