Infiniti QX60 driving down a snowy highway in winter conditions.
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Infiniti QX60 Winter Driving Features Explained

ByElena Rossi

You’re looking at your QX60 parked in the driveway as the first snowflakes start to fall, and you wonder if this luxury SUV can really handle what winter throws at it. The short answer is yes—but here’s how its features actually work to keep you safe.

TL;DR

The Infiniti QX60 comes packed with winter-friendly technology that works together to keep you in control when roads turn slippery. The Intelligent All-Wheel Drive can send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels almost instantly when grip is lost, while Snow Mode reduces throttle response and tells the transmission to start in second gear for gentler launches . The Active Brake Limited Slip system uses the brakes to direct torque to the wheel with the most traction . However, all this tech works best with proper winter tires—professional tests showed the QX60 became a “three-row luxury rally SUV” when equipped with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires .

Key Takeaways

  • Intelligent All-Wheel Drive uses a direct-coupling mechanism that engages the rear wheels almost instantly—sometimes even before wheel slip is detected
  • Snow Mode starts the transmission in second gear, dulls throttle response, and primes traction control for maximum caution
  • Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) uses the brakes to redirect torque to the wheel with the most grip, helping you start on uneven surfaces
  • Winter tires are essential—even with AWD, you’ll get roughly half the grip on snow and only a quarter on ice without them
  • The QX60 won the 2017 New England Motor Press Association “Best in Class Luxury SUV” for winter driving

The Heart of Winter Driving: Intelligent All-Wheel Drive

The QX60’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system is its most important winter feature. Unlike some AWD systems that only react after the wheels slip, this system uses sensors to predict when more grip is needed—sometimes engaging before you even lose traction .

The “direct-coupling” mechanism is key here. It can send up to 50% of the engine’s power to the rear wheels almost instantly when the system detects low grip . That means if you’re stopped at a light on a snowy hill and the front wheels start to spin, the QX60 quickly shifts power to the rear to get you moving.

What to know: The QX60’s system is front-wheel-drive biased, meaning most of the time it powers the front wheels for better fuel economy. But when conditions get slick, the system acts fast to keep you stable .

Snow Mode: Your Electronic Nanny

The QX60’s drive mode selector offers five settings: Personal, Sport, Auto, Eco, and Snow . Snow Mode is the one you want when the white stuff is falling.

Here’s what it actually does:

  1. Starts in second gear to prevent wheelspin from a standstill
  2. Dulls throttle response—you need to press the pedal harder to accelerate, which prevents you from accidentally asking for too much power
  3. Primes traction control to its most cautious setting—if the car detects any steering input, it will cap the power even if your foot is on the floor

The result? A winter driving experience that’s intentionally “boring.” As one reviewer put it, Snow Mode is “like a strict nanny that won’t let you have any fun, but it does keep the QX60 more stable even when there’s little traction available” . That’s exactly what you want for safely getting the family to school on a snowy morning.

“Snow mode with ESC on is all about getting you from point A to point B drama-free, and that’s what most folks are looking for.” — Capital One Auto Navigator review

Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS)

This is a feature that doesn’t get much attention but makes a real difference. The QX60 doesn’t have a mechanical limited-slip differential like you’d find in a performance car. Instead, the Active Brake Limited Slip system uses the brakes to simulate one .

Here’s how it works: If one wheel starts spinning on ice and the other is on pavement with grip, the system applies the brake to the spinning wheel. This redirects torque to the wheel that can actually move the car forward . This is especially useful when two wheels have traction and two don’t—common when one side of the road is cleared and the other is still icy.

Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)

Infiniti’s name for electronic stability control is Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) . It’s always on by default and works with the AWD system to keep you pointed where you want to go.

During professional winter testing, drivers experienced the difference between VDC on and off on ice. With VDC on, they could navigate an icy roundabout smoothly. With VDC off? They kept sliding into snowbanks .

The takeaway: Unless you’re stuck and need to rock the vehicle out, leave VDC on. It’s your best friend in slippery conditions.

The Tire Reality: AWD Isn’t Magic

This is the most important thing you need to understand. All the tech in the world won’t save you without proper winter tires.

Here’s the reality: On packed snow, you have less than half the grip of dry pavement. On ice, you have about a quarter of the grip . All-wheel drive helps you get moving, but it doesn’t help you stop or turn. That’s where tires matter.

Professional testers drove the QX60 in Montana with temperatures as low as -19°F, equipped with Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 winter tires . The results?

  • The QX60 was transformed into a confident, capable winter vehicle
  • One tester called it “a three-row luxury rally SUV”
  • The Blizzaks can stop a vehicle going 30 mph 35 feet shorter than all-season tires

One tester put it bluntly: “All-wheel drive can only do so much and won’t be nearly as effective without the right tires” .

Winter Driving Tips for Your QX60

Beyond the technology, here’s what professional winter driving instructors recommend :

  1. Be smooth with steering, acceleration, and braking inputs. Abrupt movements upset the car’s balance and cause slides
  2. Look where you want to go, not at obstacles. Target fixation is real—if you stare at a tree, you’ll likely hit it
  3. Leave more following distance—you need more space to slow down on snow and ice
  4. Avoid abruptly lifting off the accelerator at high speeds—this causes weight transfer that can make the rear slide out
  5. Use Snow Mode for normal winter driving, but consider turning traction control off briefly if you get stuck—it can help rock the vehicle free

What Owners Say About Winter Performance

The QX60 has a solid reputation among owners for winter driving. It won the New England Motor Press Association’s 2017 “Best in Class Luxury SUV” award specifically for its winter capabilities .

Real-world owner feedback reinforces the professional reviews:

  • “The QX60 makes dealing with nasty winter driving conditions much more tolerable—it’s a great winter car”
  • “Quiet, comfortable cabin makes for a soothing ride” even in winter conditions
  • The heated seats “kick on extra fast on cold mornings, far faster than the car’s HVAC system heat”

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the QX60 have all-wheel drive?

Yes, the QX60 offers Intelligent All-Wheel Drive as an option on all trims . It’s a front-biased system that can send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels when needed.

Is the QX60 good in the snow?

Yes. The combination of Intelligent AWD, Snow Mode, and Active Brake Limited Slip makes it highly capable . It won a “Best in Class” winter driving award from the New England Motor Press Association .

Does the QX60 require snow tires?

No, but they’re strongly recommended if you drive regularly in snowy areas. Professional testing shows winter tires transform the QX60’s winter performance . The Blizzak DM-V2 is a highly rated option .

How does the AWD work on the QX60?

The system uses a direct-coupling mechanism that can almost instantly send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels when sensors detect slip . The Active Brake Limited Slip system also uses the brakes to redirect torque to the wheel with the most grip .

What does Snow Mode do on the QX60?

Snow Mode starts the transmission in second gear for gentler launches, dulls throttle response to prevent wheelspin, and primes the traction control system to be more aggressive .

References

Sources and Further Reading:

Have you driven your QX60 through a tough winter? Share your experience in the comments below—your tip could help another owner stay safe on the road.

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